This is a great trade for the New York Mets. Roberto Alomar is the best second baseman in the game today. The deal with the Cleveland Indians is so big, it's as if the Mets just signed a pitcher who's a 20-game winner.

	Twelve-time All-Star Roberto Alomar batted .336 and drove in 100 runs in 2001.

Why?

1. Offensively, Alomar is awesome
Numbers never lie. In 2001, Alomar batted .336 with 20 home runs, 100 RBI, an on-base percentage of .415 and 30 stolen bases. He also scored 113 runs, which will be huge for the Mets since they were dead last in that category last year, scoring only 642 runs total (considering the Tampa Bay Devil Rays scored 672, that's bad).

Last season, the Mets were the worst hitting team in the NL, collectively batting .249 with 147 home runs, 608 RBI and only 66 stolen bases. Against the Mets, opponents hit .257 with 186 home runs, 689 RBI and 131 stolen bases.

The Mets' never-say-die attitude, along with the fifth-best pitching staff, helped them finished 82-80. Alomar should make an immediate impact offensively.

2. He's a defensive machine
Responsible for more saves than Mariano Rivera, the best part of Alomar's game is his defense. In 2001, he made only five errors in 424 chances. In the last three years, he has committed only 26 errors in 1,325 chances. That's awesome.

3. Attitude is everything
Alomar is a gamer and comes out to play every day. When the Mets lost Rickey Henderson and John Olerud, they lost a little bit of their cockiness and confidence. That swagger is what every team needs to tell opponents that you expect to win everyday. Alomar is a WINNER.

To win a championship, a team needs good pitching and great defense up the middle. Look at the Mets' middle: Rey Ordonez may not be coming off his best defensive year, but with Alomar next to him, he has a chance to resurrect his 1999 season when he made only four errors in more than 400 chances.

Mets catcher Mike Piazza doesn't throw out runners as well as Ivan Rodriguez, but I let that slide because Mike works his ass off for his pitchers. When all is said and done, Piazza is the best offensive catcher in the history of the game.

Center field still is up in the air, but Steve Phillips could grab free agent Kenny Lofton. Lofton is a great fielder who still has some good years left as a strong leadoff hitter.

All in all, this is just a great deal for the Mets. I've known Alomar for 15 years, and believe me when I tell you that he's one of the nicest, most well-mannered people you'll ever meet. Along with his father, Sandy Sr., and brother, Sandy Jr., this is a wonderful baseball family.

New York, you're going to love Robbie Alomar.