Carlos Beltran: Mets are Team to Beat

The first shot has been fired. Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, discussing his team's chances for 2008, said the following:

"Let me tell you this: Without Santana, we felt as a team we have a chance to win in our division. With him now, I have no doubt that we're going to win in our division. I have no doubt in that. We've got what it takes. We have good chemistry as a team. He fits great because he's a great guy. He's one of the best pitchers in the game. Who doesn't want to have him on any ballclub? Without him last year we did good, until the end of the season. So this year, to Jimmy Rollins, we are the team to beat."

Beltran, apparently not one for originality, is calling the Mets the team to beat this year, just like Rollins did last year. Beltran does it by taking a direct shot, calling out J-Roll. Rollins is already on record as saying he thinks the Phillies can win 100 games this year.

I have no problem with a guy having confidence in his team and predicting they will win the division. It's spring training, every team should be entering the season with the mindset that they're going to win it all. Heck, most people agree with Beltran. However, the way he mentioned Jimmy Rollins by name shows very little class. The war for the 2008 NL East is on, and lets hope that our reigning MVP settles it not with more words, but on the field. Maybe a few more sweeps of the Mets will shut them up.