Jacobs to Catch the Fever

According to recent reports, not only is Mike Jacobs is in the lead for the final bench spot on the Mets roster, but he's been seen lugging around a bag full of catcher's gear in Port St. Lucie as of late. It seems the Mets are willing to give Jacobs the spot in return for being the Mets' emergency catcher. This makes a lot of sense to me. I mean, between Rod Barajas, Omir Santos, Chris Coste, and Henry Blanco you only have 4 choices to put someone behind the plate. A 5th choice will just make Jerry Manuel's options that much greater.

Not only that, but it seems that the Mets are looking back at history and are realizing, the only times in the past 30 years we've had great seasons are when we've had great performances at the dish by our catchers. 1986 saw great Gary Carter slug 24 bombs for 105 RBI. Mike Piazza jacked 38 homers for 113 RBI in 2000. The great team of 2006 included Paul LoDuca hitting at a .318 clip. Compare this to Brian Schneider's .218 and .257 BA's the last couple years and it's easy to see why the Mets came up short.

Jacobs hasn't hit less than 17 home runs in any season he's played in more than 100 games in his career. That would have easily been the most homers on the Mets last year and out of the catcher position? That is going to make a huge difference.

I mean, I know Jacobs will only play behind the plate sporatically, but my spine just tingles thinking of Ike Davis making the team and Davis and Jacobs playing on the same field together. I mean the Mets havent had 2 Jews in the field at the same time for as long as I can remember. (I know Jacobs isn't really Jewish, but he's gotta be honorary after Florida gave out Mike Jacobs t-shirts for Jewish Heritage Night a few years ago.)

Regardless, don't think about the K's, don't think about the batting average, think about the raw power you're going to see out of Mike Jacobs' bat this year and how many times he's going to put a ball on the Pepsi Porch. And, think of how that's going to be just one more reason why the Mets bounce back to greatness in 2010. Mazel tov to the Mets on a great decision.