There Is A Righthanded Hitting Utility Infielder Right Under Your Nose Omar

As we here at 24 Hours From Suicide...A Day In The Life Of A Met Fan have chronicled, along with dozens of other in the blogosphere, the Mets have addressed some pressing needs, such as relief pitching, and some #4 and #5 outfield help. They signed Alex Cora to help relieve Reyes and possibly Wright, and Castillo.

The big problem with the bench help they have signed, is that the majority of them bat left-handed. Now normally I don't subscribe to the theory that a lefty pitcher has to pitch to a lefty batter, and a righty pitcher has to pitch to a righty batter, because I have always felt a Major League pitcher should be able to pitch to a batter no matter which side of the plate he hits from. The same is true for a hitter; a good Major League hitter should be able to get some good hacks off a pitcher, no matter which foot toes the rubber.

That being said, I also feel that if a team is too dominant on one side (i.e. no lefty pitchers in the line-up, no lefty batters in the line-up, and vice-versa) they are, in the long run, going to hinder themselves.

The Mets have someone who they know quite well, served them admirably in the past, is a class act, mentors younger players, and goes about his job professionally. That, plus he bats from the right side, has played 3B, SS, and 2B, and should have been the Gold Glove second baseman in 1999.

The players' name is Edgardo Alfonzo. Reports are that he has lost weight, and has been playing very well in the Winter League (read here). He knows NY, has THRIVED in NY, and the fans absolutely love him. Some think I might have been his #1 fan during the 1990's, and I wouldn't argue (get the hint?). I told a friend way back when Dallas Green was managing them, and I saw this young kid handle himself like a seasoned vet, I said to my freind, this guy is going to be good. Needless to say, I was correct in my assessment.

So lets go Omar, who is cooler than Fonzi? He could be just what the doctor ordered; able to spell both Castillo (who hopefully won't be here for the entire season) and Wright, and bats from the right side of the plate. He could be a nice compliment off the bench to Alex Cora, who bats lefty, and Alfonzo has RBI potential as well as some power.

Move fast Omar, Japan is calling, and Edgardo won't be here forever.