plan to build depth at the first base position should pay dividends for the Mets in 2010. Several players - young and old - have a golden opportunity to fill the shoes of Carlos Delgado.Daniel Murhpy will be the starter as soon as he returns from injury. Despite struggling most of last year, Murhpy, led the team in home runs and made several dazzling plays in the field. Expect him to rebound to his 2008 rookie form, when he hit .313 and looked like a future batting champ.
Mike Jacobs, the front runner to start in Murhpy's absence, adds a menacing power bat to the lineup. People seem to forget that Jacobs is just 29 years old and has hit at least 17 homers in each full season, including 32 in 2008. The cavernous Citi Field will be no match for his towering blasts.
Jack-of-all-trades Fernando Tatis is another option to man first base. Tatis' biggest value may be his veteran leadership, but don't ignore his 34 homers and 107 RBI in 1999.
If these options fail, the Mets can inject youth into the position with any of three hot prospects. Chris Carter, obtained for Billy Wagner, hit .393 with 4 homers this spring. Nick Evans, once a highly touted prospect, should not be forgotten. And then there is Ike Davis, who appears to be a star in the making.
Other teams would love to have this kind of depth at any position. Lucky for us, the Mets are stacked at first base.
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