Delgado reports to Mets

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -- Carlos Delgado reported Wednesday for his first season with the New York Mets, hit a bunch of homers in batting practice and predicted the team would do well this year.

"I think everybody plays better when they're a little more relaxed and when they're not under pressure," Delgado said. "If everyone does the best they can, they should realize this is a good enough lineup to win. This ballclub is good enough that no one should have to do anything extra."

New York acquired the hard-hitting first baseman from Florida on Nov. 25. The 33-year-old Delgado, who turned down an offer from the Mets after the 2004 season, batted .301 with 33 home runs and 115 RBIs in his lone year with the Marlins.

He got married during the offseason, took some time off and started looking for a home in New York.

"It's nice to finally come out and get into an organized routine," Delgado said. "I always say the first day of spring training, you put your uniform on and you don't take it off until October."

Delgado will be playing beside fellow Puerto Rican Carlos Beltran. The pair, who are within a locker of each other, have developed a strong friendship and participate in charity events together.

"He's a good friend. He's a tremendous ballplayer, and hopefully he'll be firing on all cylinders and we can help each other out," Delgado said.

Beltran was injured and struggled last year during his first season with the Mets, hitting .266 with 16 homers and 78 RBIs, below his output in Kansas City and Houston.

Delgado said he doesn't know New York too well, but he does have family there.

"I'm just going to play the same game I've played since I was a little kid," he said. "I'm not downplaying New York, and it will be a learning process. I'll get to know the city and learn the atmosphere, but at the end of the day, we're here to play baseball. Every athlete will tell you that they'll struggle at some point. Not every year is a great year, not every week is a great week. So you just try to take it in stride and make it better."