Why Manny Ramirez Is Perfect for the Mets

Citi Field is truly a site to behold.

Met fans watched in awe from their Shea Stadium seats since 2006 as the beautiful, state-of-the-art facility took its shape, towering over Shea's left-center field wall. And now, it is finally almost ready.

Resembling Ebbet's Field, the old home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, on the outside, it appears that Citi Field will combine the look of a classic, retro-style ballpark with all the modern amenities of today on the inside.

One would think that a magnificent ballpark such as this would have a stellar starting lineup; an endless assortment of talent that would compliment the credibility that Citi Field brings to its organization.

However, while looking at the projected Mets' starting lineup for 2009, one must begin to wonder why anyone would expect to see any improvement over last year's production. After all, the Mets' lineup of 2009 is basically the same lineup that broke the hearts of Met fans everywhere two years in a row.

While the Mets' collapse of 2008 was primarily attributed to a shoddy bullpen (rightfully so), the relief pitching was not the whole story for why the Mets were sent home early once again last year.

Do you remember the Mets' clutch hitting in the final week of the season?

Of course you do not. No one does. That is because it was non-existent.

While the last two months of the Mets' season could be characterized by the bullpen's inability to put teams away, the last week of the season was definitely characterized by the lineup's inability to score runs.

To the Mets' credit, the team went out and solved their bullpen issues by adding Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz to the mix over the winter.

Unfortunately, the lineup remained virtually untouched.

Looking at the Mets starting lineup, one to eight, it could easily be said that it basically comprises of three hitters; those being Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran.

Yes, Delgado ended up having an MVP-caliber season after a slow start to last year. But is it really realistic to expect the Met first baseman to follow up last season with a comparable one this year? At 36 years old, I think not.

Outside of those four, the Met lineup of 2008 was basically comprised of scrubs and has-beens.

Tatis and Murphy are nothing more than a couple of good bench players, Church is injury prone and not a good fit for this team anyway, and Brian Schneider stinks both at the plate and behind it.

Sorry to say it Met fans, but with this lineup the way it stands, the Phillies still own you and are most certainly on their way to winning a third straight division title. I do not care who the Mets have in that beautiful Citi Field bullpen.

But have no fear! There is an answer on the horizon. He comes in the form of long hair and baggy pants.

It has been well documented that the Met front office wants no part of Manny Ramirez.

His unpredictable antics have been enough to keep pretty much every team away from him during this off-season. And who could blame them? What Manny did to the Boston Red Sox back in July of 2008 was despicable.

But the Mets have to realize that the addition of another big bat in Queens is imperative, and that the biggest bat out there is Manny Ramirez. 

He is their best option, despite any personality risk that he brings.

What Manny would do for this organization would not be reflected simply in the team's overall production numbers. It would totally change the public perception of this team and the dynamic of a divided clubhouse.

Look at the facts.

As previously mentioned, the Mets have been terrible in the clutch. If Manny was added to this roster, the Mets would have one of the greatest clutch hitters in the game on their hands.

Remember what he did in the playoffs this year? He was an absolute freak, batting .520 with four home runs, ten runs batted in, and 11 walks in both the division and championship series.

After being traded to Los Angeles in July, he single-handily brought the Dodgers, who were an even 54-54 when he arrived, back from the dead.

By sliding Manny into the Met lineup between David Wright and Carlos Beltran, the Mets could easily boast the best 3-4-5 threat in baseball.

David Wright, who certainly received the bulk of the media scrutiny during September of 2008, could basically go on vacation (in his mind anyway) knowing that Manny Ramirez is protecting him in not only the lineup, but in the clubhouse as well.

Is there any quote in baseball better than one from the mouth of Manny Ramirez? Please, let me know if you find one.

Manny does not only not mind the media jumping all over him, he welcomes it.

As Beltran, Reyes, and Delgado sneak out of the clubhouse to avoid being interviewed after every one of their 2009 losses, a team with Ramirez would allow David Wright to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that he would now never be alone when the merciless New York press came to find a bone to chew on.

Not to mention what Manny could teach some of the Met youngsters about proper hitting mechanics. The guy is truly win-win.

And finally, let's face it, after a season in which the Yankees shelled out $423.5 million for three superstar players, the Bombers once again solidified themselves as the number one team to beat in New York. However, the acquisition of Manny Ramirez would put the Mets right back on the map.

Save maybe Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, Manny would be the biggest name in New York. Jersey sales would be through the roof, and the back page would almost always have some kind of Met story (assuming that A-Rod and Madonna do not break up).

So stop twiddling your thumbs up there in your new Citi Field offices, Met brass. Listen to your General Manager and your fans.

This team needs Manny. There is no point in denying it any longer.

Sign him now, or open your new stadium in second place.