by rugby5513 » Tue May 03, 2005 1:34 am
the mariners coaches were saying how "great" beltre's work ethic was this spring. Also, he is moving from a known pitcher's park to a more friendly hitter's park, he is not in colorado or texas, but he is not playing with the mets or reds. His injury helped him last year?? That is absurd, he is just in a slump, and having the bone chips removed should help him improve his ba, and ops as he can run faster. Also factor in ichiro, a man that flirts with .400 ba every year hitting in front of him and can get to second with sb's. Beltre will be better will be a better ball player. Because of his april slump he may not have as many hrs but anyone that owned him last year knows that he can knock out five in a given week. Look out for him when he gets hot. Reed is also a potential rookie with high on base percentage. Contract years only have an effect on how someone plays depending on how he trains, and mariners said he was a boost to the rest of the club. Beltre is in my mind, the best third basemen in the league. Hold on to him, he will get hot and law of averages will have him hitting .400 for a few weeks.