(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
One can imagine if Major League Baseball created a separate DL League that went on after the Major League season, a league that consisted of all the players on a team that were injured at one time or another. To most, such a suggestion would be utterly pointless. Imagine the New York Yankees' DL team. Even though Xavier Nady, Chien-Ming Wang, and Brett Gardner are fine ballplayers, I doubt they have what it takes to carry an entire team. In fact, it's impossible.
Some teams, such as the Boston Red Sox or Cincannati Reds, would have a so-so team in the DL League. Then there are teams like the New York Mets, whose DL League team would be an All-Star team. Just go down the lineup and realize that such an opinion is fact.
At the front of the starting rotation would be Johan Santana (elbow surgery), arguably the best left-hander in all of baseball, who had an ERA below 1.00 in his first seven starts.
After Santana would come John Maine (shoulder fatigue), who, although not as dominant as Johan, would fit in easily as a No. 2 starter. He was, after all, the "ace" of the Mets Major League team of 2007.
Fernando Nieve (hamstring) would be the No. 3 starter. He had an ERA around 1.50 in his first several starts with the Mets Major League team this year, and he proved to be a standing example of the phrase "lightning-in-a-bottle."
Jonathan Niese (hamstring tear) was pitching beautifully with an ERA under 1.00 in the Minor Leagues this year. He has great stuff and the attitude of a rookie, one who will try his hardest no matter what costs. Therefore, he would be a good No. 5 starter.
Oliver Perez (patellar tendinitis) would round up the rotation. He is not that good of a pitcher, really, but if one kept up the "Good Ollie, Bad Ollie" trend, a No. 5 starter winning half of his games isn't exactly the end of the world.
Let's move to the bullpen.
Tim Redding (shoulder fatigue) would be the long man in the bullpen and could be a potential No. 5 starter if Perez began to unravel.
J.J. Putz (elbow, forearm) was signed as the set-up man. He, after all, was a dominant closer for the Seattle Mariners.
Billy Wagner (Tommy John surgery) (let's assume he was still with the Mets) would remain as closer. If not for his injury last year, he could've been great with his fastball velocity above 95 mph. He was a member of the 2008 All-Star team.
Now: the starting lineup.
Jose Reyes (hamstring) is a no-brainer for SS and leading off.
Alex Cora (thumb injury) would play 2B—even though his primary position is SS—and bat second.
David Wright (concussion) would play 3B and bat third.
Carlos Beltran (bruised knee) at CF would bat fourth and Carlos Delgado (hip surgery) at 1B would bat fifth, representing the two most prominent power bats in the lineup.
Batting sixth would be Garry Sheffield (knee soreness) and playing LF. Even though he's an old player, he still has the ability to be an efficient player.
In RF would be Jeff Francoeur and batting seventh (please, that thumb injury will knock him out for the season), also with the ability to hit home runs.
Rounding up the lineup and batting eighth would be Brian Schneider (strained back muscle), who, although he has the poorest bat in the lineup, plays a fine C position and in the shadows of the stars in other positions wouldn't be that much of a detriment.
Every team needs backups, and Ramon Martinez (SS)(broken pinkie), Fernando Martinez (OF)(torn knee cartilage), Angel Pagan (CF)(groin injury), and Ryan Church (OF)(let's assume he remained with the Mets)(hamstring injury) could fill in those roles nicely.
There is a team with speed, power, and, above all, consistency. There is a team that could be one of the best of all the teams. There is a team that has the potential to win it all...
Too bad it's all on the DL.
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