Okay, first and foremost if you read this, then you are going to have to do so with a grain of salt. I know that there are more pressing issues that the Mets need to address, but if we all believe in those “In Omar We Trust” T-shirts, then sit back and trust him. Imagine that whether we go after ARod or not, that the other needs will be filled. At least for the duration of this post. I know the nitpickers will say that the signing of ARod will determine just how many of those other issues we can attend to, but like I said, just sit back and relax and let me speak for a moment.

The Mets apparently claim that it is not a money issue with deciding to go after ARod, that it is strictly a baseball decision. So let’s take a look at just that, temporarily ignoring the money side wherever we can.

One last thing, before we continue. This post will come off as being very pro-ARod but that is just because it is far too easy to be anti-ARod. I wanted to shed some light on the possible positives. In the name of disclosure, I want to inform you all that I am as 50-50 on the fence about this as anything I can remember in the recent past.

The Chemistry Effect

Much will be made about how ARod would infect the Mets chemistry and kill the organization from the inside. While stopping short of calling this completely untrue, I have very high doubts about this. I can’t really think of a single Mets player that has a problem with sharing the spotlight and even though ARod has been portrayed as someone who will simply not share it, I believe this is blown out of proportion. Just look to anything ever covered by the New York media. Surely you don’t believe that all the “ARod Hates Jeter” headlines just happened to coincidentally pop up on slow news days, do you? Now I am not claiming to know whether ARod is a clubhouse cancer or not, but I believe that your clubhouse might have something to do with how you behave. Is there any doubt that the Mets clubhouse is “looser” then that of the cross town rivals? Not really. Add to this the fact that ARod probably doesn’t want to hurt his image anymore and he would almost certainly welcome a more relaxed and friendly environment to help prove that he isn’t the giant prick that the media (and quite frankly the Yankees) have made him out to be.

The New York Effect

Obviously people are going to point to this at some point. Well, I think the whole concept is complete garbage. Seriously, how do you put up numbers like ARod did while here in NY, especially this year, and still get called out for not being able to perform on the big stage? It is stupid. Plain and simple. Besides, if he ever does want to shake that false portrayal of himself, then he has to “succeed” in New York. If he comes to the Mets and wins a title, then all those questions will shift from “ARod Can’t Prosper in NY” to “How Did The Yankees Ruin ARod”. Not exactly fair, but still how it will play out.

The October Effect

Sure, he bombed in each of the postseasons. Oh well. He was still a MAJOR factor in the team getting to the playoffs. That often gets overlooked. Sure you want your big guy to be hot in the postseason, but if the rest of the team picks that guy up then it is a moot point. Or at least you hope it is a moot point. I am not naïve enough to think that your best hitter stinking it up won’t drastically hurt your chances to win a playoff series, but I do know this… One player can’t lose playoff games for you. He might not win them for you, but he can’t lose them. Not all of me, but a part does believe that the ARod postseason slumps were a coincidence. While many of you are rolling your eyes right now, just think about other coincidences that seem more far fetched. Really, the fact that a player sputters at the end of a long season and dealing with the pressure that people will be in your face about it constantly is not that hard of a concept to grasp. But a happy and productive season might detract from some of that pressure. Especially if, you know, the REST OF THE TEAM still plays well and gets some wins in October. Or did we forget that it was the New York Yankees in the postseason the past few years and not ARod by himself?

The Yankee Effect

If ARod was to sign a contract with the Mets today, he would instantly become the biggest Yankee hater in all of our ranks. No body in the giant Mets family could compete. Fans, players, team brass? He would trump all of them. Look at what ARod did this season when he wanted to shove his numbers in the Yankees faces since he know LONG AGO that he was going to opt out. Now imagine having that same chip on his shoulder AND proving that it was the Yankees that was the problem. Wow. He might very well hit 112 home runs. Okay, that is clearly an exaggeration, but you get the idea. If you don’t believe this, then just ask a Yankee fan how they would feel if ARod went to either the Mets or Red Sox and won a title. They probably wouldn’t even give an answer. That is how you know how mad they would be. And how correct you are.

The Wright/Reyes/Kaz Masui Effect

Some will point to the Kaz Matsui/Jose Reyes fiasco from a few years ago. Do not get pulled into this nonsense. ARod is not Kaz Masui. Wright will adjust to second base and the Mets would have the most feared infield as far as offense goes. Even with a struggling Carlos Delgado, if he is still struggling by then. And on the defensive side of things, I don’t see us being any weaker with ARod at 3^rd and Wright at 2^nd. I don’t know how anyone would make that argument.

Honestly, there are worse things that can be done then signing ARod. As I said in the opening to this post, I am not in favor of it, nor am I against it. If the Mets are being truthful and this is just a baseball decision, then I have faith in them. I think for us to sign ARod, he would have to impress the brass and convince them that he would be a good fit here*. If the team thinks he will work with the team, then I will stand behind both them and him. I really do trust in Omar that much.

And I don’t even own one of those shirts.

*Maybe he should print out this post and bring it with him