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Its a Time of the Saenz

The nominee for this year's Jose Valentin reclamation project isn't Jose Valentin (who happens to be a non-roster invitee), but Olmedo Saenz.

The Mets invited the 38-year-old Saenz to camp this year despite struggles that saw his batting average plummet from .296 in 2006 to .191 in 2007.

Does anyone find it odd that in a week that Karl Erhardt (the original "Sign Man," RIP) dies, that the Mets signed a player with this last name?

It scares me to admit that Saenz may be the best option at first base, should (heaven forbid) anything go wrong with Carlos Delgado (note: Shawn Green is still available), but Saenz has one skill set that is of great appeal to this blog.

Three times in his career, Saenz has hit a walk-off home run, in which he turned deficit into victory. He did it in 1999 against Robb Nen, belting a three-run shot with two outs to give the Athletics an 11-9 win, he did it against Eddie Guardado with a 2-run, 2-strike homer on an 0-2 pitch to give Oakland a 4-3 win over Minnesota, and he did it against Jeremy Accardo and the Blue Jays last season, with a two-run, 10th-inning home run.

So though me may be washed up (he had as many hits, as strikeouts after the All-Star Break...7), if you ask me, the Mets need to keep Saenz on the roster, for the exclusive purpose of batting in such scenarios. You never know when one victory in this manner will come in handy.

True Metmedos know...The Mets all-time record for come-from-behind walk-off home runs
is two, shared by Marv Thronberry and Chris Jones.

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