Carlos Beltran Rehabs In Brooklyn: Why It's A Good Idea He Comes Back In 2009

We were down on the field this afternoon at KeySpan Park watching Carlos Beltran take batting practice before his rehab assignment with the Cyclones.

His balky right knee looked strong and the balls clanging high off the replica Cyclone rollercoaster in left center were an indication that he might be close to returning to the Mets’ lineup.

**Carlos spoke to the media and we’ve posted his press conference below…complete with extended video of his swings from both sides of the plate**

But should Carlos Beltran return to the Mets in 2009? What’s the point?

I say yes, he most certainly should make every effort to get on the field EVEN IF IT’S FOR ONLY ONE GAME.

The Mets and their fans need the psychological boost.

It’s obvious this season is a wash, and putting Beltran back in the lineup could force many to ask “why should we risk getting Carlos hurt further?”

The simple answer to that question is that a player as integral to the organization’s success as Carlos Beltran shouldn’t go into the off season with such a terrible taste in his mouth.

Get him back on the field. That alone will be a massive plus for Beltran (and his down-trodden teammates). If he has success on the field….say a couple of home runs or he plays some solid defense, he can build on that during the winter and into spring training.

Where he’s at mentally right now – essentially being the final injury that broke this season’s back – is no way to spend the next six months before April.

And in the video clip above, Beltran says as much. He’s rehabbing hard now so that he can get back on the field before the season ends.

It’s an important touchstone for him to reach before the Mets finally play out the string. His being back won’t insure the Mets a better finish than 4th in the NL East, but that’s not the point.

For this team, it should be an equally high priority to see Carlos Beltran at Citi Field before this season is out if they hope to start 2010 on better footing.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle