Mets Welcome Back Carlos Beltran & Carlos Delgado

Special for Puerto Rico The Daily Sun

MIAMI-
Thanks to Team USA David Wright 2-run game winning single on Tuesday night the New York Mets are eagerly waiting for the immediate return of both big stars Carlos. Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado.

Skipper Jerry Manuel expects them by Monday in camp and hopes they will comeback with the same red-hot batting they tear the opposite pitchers in the World Baseball Classic.

Both Beltran and Delgado finished among the top-ten batting leaders up to second round action.

"I think (playing in the Classic) this really help me for the season", Beltran said. " I think this year we have a very special team".

"I'm looking again for another good season", Beltran added.

Same does the Mets, They expect from the Silver Slugger another five-tool quality year and also expect if they go to the playoffs be the Beltran that for the 2004 Astros have a breaking record post-season.

The Manati native, 31, has at least 20 stolen bases and 100 RBI's in seven season each and at least 140 hits and 20 homeruns in eight seasons each. He have been also a Gold Glove winner the last three seasons.

The other Carlos, same as Beltran, also pointed us out the huge dissapointment of not reaching the Classic finals for Team Puerto Rico however he is looking forward to be a Met again.

"We are going to have a great club. I think we address some of the issues during the offseason. I'm sure we are going to be a solid team", Delgado said.

Delgado, 36, pointed out that the Mets have a solid offensive lineup, a great core of starters and got a great improvement in the relief corps with the offseason acquisitions of JJ Putz and Francisco Rodriguez.

As for personal goals, the Aguadilla native is simply looking for an all healthy season and be the run producer he have proven to be all his career.

The two-time All-Star in its last 11 seasons with 30-or-more home runs tied for most among active players and have driven in at least 100 runs in nine of last 11 seasons.

Other Team Puerto Rico members that Skipper Manuel is looking forward for a great year are left-hander Pedro Feliciano and veteran infielder Alex Cora. Feliciano led all major league relievers with a career-high 86 games in 2008. On the other hand, Cora will be the new utility infielder coming from the bench.

Team Puerto Rico veterans right-hander Nelson Figueroa and outfielder Jesus "Motorita' Feliciano will start most probably this season with their Mets' Triple A Buffalo Bisons affiliate.

OTHER TEAMS WAITING TOO
St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony LaRussa pointed us at Miami's Dolphin Stadium that he is looking for another great year from Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina. Molina established career high in 2008 in batting average, hits, RBI's and runs scored....Boston Red Sox Manager Terry Francona pointed us at Miami's Dolphin Stadium is looking forward for a great 2009 from hurlers Javier Lopez and Fernando Cabrera. Both hurlers will be used as middle-relievers....Team Puerto Rico also have another 11 players that are expected to be in a regular role this Major League upcoming season including in new uniforms C Ivan Rodriguez (Astros), 2B Felipe Lopez (D'Backs) and 3B Ramon Vazquez (Pirates)....As of late Tuesday, veteran Bernie Williams admitted have not receive any offers for this upcoming season yet.