Betemit a Possibility for the Mets?

The Chicago White Sox have designated Utility Man Wilson Betemit for assignment. This was done so the team could call up Gordon Beckham, last year's first-round pick.

The Mets need another major league ready player in the midst of their never-ending string of injuries. Now that Jose Reyes reinjured his calf, Ramon Martinez is out for several weeks and Alex Cora is still iffy with the thumb, Betemit would make a nice fit with the Amazin's.

This year, Betemit isn't hitting well at all. In 45 at-bats, he's hitting .200 with a .280 on-base and only 3 RBIs. But he's only appeared in 20 games this season, never once playing more than 3 in a row and not starting in many. When he gets consecutive starts, he can be an effective hitter.

In 2008 with the Yankees, Betemit played in 87 games, starting in 59 of them. His average was a solid .265, and that was in the American League. Moving to the National League should only help his average.

His versatility makes him a necessity for an NL team. He can play every infield position at efficiently and at a high level. He's also a switch-hitter, which would give Jerry Manuel some more flexibility in the lineup. Right now, two of his four switch-hitters are on the DL and a third, Carlos Beltran, has been plagued by a stomach virus.

In fact, too many bats are out of the lineup for the Mets to rely on minor leaguers to fill in.

Right now, the Mets need all the help they can get. Betemit can provide an adequate amount.


--Max Caster