Just Mets

When the Mets traded for Juan Uribe as part of a trade with the Braves on Friday night, they were acquiring more than just an offensive upgrade.

For too long now, this team has not known how to win. It’s been seven years since their last winning season and nine since the last time they made the postseason. In that time we’ve seen more and more winning players dissipate from this roster while fill-ins and minor leaguers took their place.

For Uribe, however, who has two World Series championships under his belt and has been in the postseason three times in the last four years, it’s different. He knows what winning is like and more importantly how it’s accomplished.

This was on full display on Sunday where, in just his second game since being acquired from Atlanta, Uribe blasted a walk-off single off the top of the wall in left-center field to win a huge game for the Mets in the bottom of the 10th against the Dodgers.

“I think in this moment, it’s like when you play in the playoffs, in the World Series, and you win it,” Uribe told reporters after the victory. A bold statement from a player who’s won multiple championships in his impressive 10-year career.

In just two games with the Mets, and both coming off the bench, Uribe is already making Sandy Alderson and company look like geniuses for making this move. He’s had just four at-bats, yet he’s already delivered one of the biggest hits for the Mets all season in a win that moved New York to within two games of first place as they continue to chase down the Nationals.

“For me every game you win is important for the team,” Uribe went on to say. “Washington lost today. When you see the other team you’re fighting for the division loses, you have to win.”

It’s incredible, really. This guy has been here for three days and yet he’s already talking about the divisional race and paying attention to the Nationals on the scoreboard. Uribe has always been considered a great clubhouse guy, and for a team that’s still very young and without their captain David Wright, bringing in a guy the likes of him is invaluable both on and off the field.

The Mets didn’t just get baseball talent, they got a winning player with a winning attitude. It’s already paying dividends.