Yankees are better than the Mets.

Even though the Mets are probably the second-best team in the National League, the Mets would probably be the eighth-best team in the American League.

It's actually a dopey topic and I'm sure this is the first of many, many, many Yankees vs. Mets articles to come.

The Mets are in first place in their own division and that's what matters. The Yankees have to fight Toronto and Boston, not the Mets.

But if Heyman wants to make a pro-Mets argument, he ought to come correct:

"The Mets have the more versatile offense. Entering last night, they led the league in stolen bases and were third in home runs. While they haven't yet established any offensive consistency, they have the ability to beat you a number of ways, rare for a Mets team."

The Yankees have a better offense the Mets. It doesn't matter if the Mets steal more bases than the Yankees. The Devil Rays steal more bases than the Yankees. It doesn't mean the Devil Rays have a good offense.

It's actually very simple to judge an offense's effectiveness. Look at the number of runs they score.

Not for nothing, but the Yankees have 36 homeruns and 18 stolen bases. It's versatile if that sort of thing floats your boat.


"The Mets have the best new high-powered acquisition. To steal a phrase from one of the many high-priced, high-profile failures of the Mets' often star-crossed past, we're never going to wipe that smile off of Carlos Delgado's face. It's obvious now that Delgado is as cut out for the big time as anyone who's ever come to Queens."

Delgado has been terrific, but Damon hasn't exactly stunk out the joint, either. In fact, Randolph should sit Jose Reyes down in a room with a Tivo and a continuous feed to the YES Network. Maybe Reyes could learn from a leadoff hitter who can keep his on-base% higher than .260.

But since it really makes no sense to compare a first baseman to a centerfielder, go ahead and match up Delgado's first month to Giambi's. You thought Delgado was having a good month until you saw Giambi's numbers.


"The Mets have the better clubhouse atmosphere. No place that includes the Big Unhappy is all fun and games, after all."

No.

Body.

Cares.


"The Mets have, by far, the better bullpen. Duaner Sanchez is a better setup man than all the Yankees' current setup men combined."

First of all, that's completely untrue. Since Heyman is supposedly analyzing the first month of the 2006 season, the Yankee bullpen is better than the Met bullpen. Actually, it's probably a tossup. I see no reason to think Sanchez's 19 innings are any more impressive than Scott Proctor's 17 innings. Or any more flash-in-the-pan.

But who cares about raw numbers? The Yankee bullpen is more versatile and quirky. You gotta love Myers with his sidearm delivery and Farnsworth with his 99 mph cheese. Between innings, the Yankee bullpen has an awesome atmosphere and that's the most important thing.

The Yankees rule and the Mets drool.