K-Rod Considers The Mets To Be The Front-Runners in the N.L. East

Two days after Philadelphia ace pitcher Cole Hamels gave this commentary on the Mets by calling them "choke artists", the Mets' newest acquisition -- the always confident Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez -- responded in his own way.

The centerpiece of the re-tooled New York bullpen has only added more to fuel to a fire that help to redefine a growing rivalry.

He just got into town, but he's sure holding his against the words of Hamels with the Mets.

From ESPN: "Of course, we're going to try to win the division. Of course, we're going to be the front-runner. Of course, we're going to be the team to beat," he said Saturday.

Four days after agreeing to a $37 million, three-year contract, K-Rod was confident the Mets will put consecutive September collapses behind them and overtake the World Series champion Phillies in ruling the NL East.

"I don't want there to be a controversy or the other ballclubs in that division to take it personally or take it in a bad way," he said. "If they ask me, 'Oh, which ballclub is going to win the National League East?' It's going to be the Mets. Easy question."

After what has taken place during the last two seasons with the Mets, they are looking to take what they felt was righfully theirs -- the NL East Championship.