Omar, Don't Even Think About It

By Shari Forst
Posted Saturday, November 3, 2007

So now that the Yankee empire is coming apart at the seams, the first one to jump ship after Joe Torre was slapped in the face and insulted by the boss was A-Rod.

A-Rod announced on Monday that he was not going to resign with the Yankees and he was officially a free agent. I can just hear the wood burning between Jeff Wilpon's ears. "We could get A-Rod to play shortstop, and move Reyes to second base AGAIN!" I am a free agent-superstar-arranging genius!!!!

Can I tell you how much I HATE this idea? I don't want A-Rod. I didn't want him back in the day of Steve Phillips and I don't want him now. He is not a team player from what I see. What this team needs is someone to enhance the chemistry of the team, not make it implode.

I just plain don't like the guy. I don't care that he hit 54 home runs; he chokes in the playoffs time after time, very much like another home run stud named Barry Bonds. Everyone is clamoring to get Bonds if he decides to leave San Francisco--NOT!!

I know Omar is considering it, I can't say I blame him. The key here is understanding the make-up of your team, and deciding which free agents will enhance it. A-Rod is not that guy. The offense was not the big problem in 2007. Yes, Carlos Delgado kind of sucked wind, but at the end of the season they were losing games 10-9. It's the pitching they need to focus on. Who should they zero in on? I don't know, if I did I would have Omar's job. I just know they need to fill the areas that were obviously lacking and starting pitching was one big area; the relievers,another problem.

I am sure there are plenty of Met fans who feel if A-Rod wants to come here, let's grab him. I think anyone who thinks that way fails to see the big picture and doesn't understand how a team should operate. I see A-Rod as a "Me-Generation" kind of guy. Talented beyond belief but sometimes if you have some players who are a little less talented and have alot more heart, it makes a huge difference.

Look at the 1969 Mets. Tom Seaver was a star, no doubt, but Jerry Koosman and Gary Gentry very quietly helped the miracle of 1969 become a reality. Guys like Jerry Grote, Ron Swaboda, Al Weis.

What about 1986? Dykstra, Backman, Santana, Ray Knight the MVP. Superstars? Not by a long shot. But they had heart and they cared about their teammates and their team.

Guys like A-Rod wouldn't last a minute on those Championship Met teams.