K-Rod Running Mouth Too Soon?

'We're team to beat'

Francisco Rodriguez has said in both of his press conferences since signing with the Mets that he didn't want to start controversy, but then proceeded to follow with the sort of claim that will go on the Phillies' bulletin board.

Of the Phillies' boasts and barbs directed at the Mets, he said, "Whatever happened, it's in the past. You've got to move forward. Whatever they did last year they already got paid for. Whatever they did we all respect. They work hard and they deserve it. This is a different year, a different ballclub now. We've just got to go out and compete. Like I said before, I don't want to make no controversy, but with this ballclub the way I see it, with those guys, me and [J.J.] Putz and the other acquisitions in the bullpen, I think now I feel like we're the team to beat."

Don't get me wrong, I like the confidence that he is showing and the swagger that he brings to this team. When Davey Johnson made comments similar to this in 1986 it deflected the pressure off the team and onto him and that was the year of our last world championship. However in the recent past, ie last years spring training, Carlos Beltran uttered similar words and look where we ended up. I believe that if you want to get your team pumped up, K-Rod should have said these exact words, but keep it in the clubhouse. There is no need to give other teams bulletin board material.