METS SIGN WAGNER, WRAP UP NL EAST, FIRST WORLD SERIES SINCE 1986

NEW YORK - The New York Mets made history Monday, winning a World Series championship before their season even started. It's not the first time a World Series has been won in November (the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Yankees in the extended 2001 season in a November World Series), but it is the first time a team has won a World Series before Opening Day.

The Mets accomplished this historic feat by signing 34-year-old fireballing closer Billy Wagner, solidifying a shaky bullpen for the first time in years - even more so than their National League pennant-winning 2000 season (need we mention Armando Benitez?).

The Mets signed Wagner for $43 million over 4 years, with a club option for a fifth, leaving open the possibility of defending their title one year from now. Wagner has 284 career saves, meaning he will become the 20th Major League pitcher to reach 300 saves sometime before the All Star Break.

The Wagner acquisition comes on the same day the Mets introduced their new first baseman, World Series MVP Carlos Delgado. In another dose of good news, Delgado announced that he would join his Mets teammates on the field whenever "God Bless America" is played, rather than hiding in the dugout or in the tunnel to the clubhouse. This eliminates what could have been a big distraction en route to the world championship.

With holdovers Pedro Martinez*, Tom Glavine, Kris Benson, and Steve Trachsel in the starting rotation, along with up-and-comers David Wright and Jose Reyes anchoring the infield, with Delgado at first, and Comeback Player of the Year Carlos Beltran* joined by Cliff Floyd in the outfield, the Mets sport their best lineup and pitching staff in a good five years.
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I need to put this disclaimer - the Mets have actually NOT won the 2006 World Series...yet. They're still the Mets, and after what has happened to the Jets this season (Super Bowl aspirations = 2-8), we can't take anything for granted. While Billy Wagner is an exciting acquisition, there's no reason he won't blow out his arm in April, and never reach 300 saves. Carlos Beltran* is not guaranteed to hit above .267. While Wright and Reyes are sure bets, Pedro* could realistically get hurt. And Delgado could drop to 12 home runs at Shea. All that said, I don't think all of those things will happen, and I am very excited about Billy Wagner as the closer, Carlos Delgado as the first baseman, and the Mets' chances in 2006. I just know what the Mets are capable of sometimes, in the negative sense.

One more note - Billy Wagner's agent's name is Bean Stringfellow. That's gotta count for something.