On the money: the Mets finally got something right when they signed Carlos Beltran.(Baseball)

Now this is more like it.

I still don't like the Mets' signing Pedro Martinez, a pitcher in decline, to a four-year, $54 million contract. I still can't believe they traded lefthander Scott Kazmir, a potential ace, for righthander Victor Zambrano, a mediocre veteran. But signing center fielder Carlos Beltran--though excessive at seven years and $119 million--gives the team an impressive young nucleus for the rest of the decade. Beltran is 27, third baseman David Wright 22, shortstop Jose Reyes 21.

The Mets' plan a year ago was to get younger and more athletic. Their plan now is to put together the best possible team for the launch of the Mets Network in 2006--and also to establish the franchise as a force in Latin America under new general manager Omar Minaya, a native of the Dominican Republic. The additions of Martinez, a charismatic ace from the Dominican, and Beltran, a five-tool wonder from Puerto Rico, suit both purposes. But the Beltran signing also fits the previous strategy, which was the right one all along.

Go back to last offseason. The Mets signed shortstop Kazuo Matsui, then 28, and center fielder Mike Cameron, then 31, to improve the team's up-the-middle defense. Matsui, a disappointment, will move to second base in 2005, enabling Reyes to reclaim short. Cameron, displaced by Beltran and recovering from wrist surgery, could end up in a corner outfield spot or with another club.

Those were not the desired outcomes, but the Mets were building properly before they traded Kazmir and another pitching prospect, Matt Peterson, in separate deals for Zambrano and Kris Benson last summer. The Mets could deviate from the proper course again if their next move is signing free-agent first baseman Carlos Delgado, a DH type who turns 33 in June, or trading for Cubs right fielder Sammy Sosa, who is in decline at age 36.

No one should expect a fully formed vision from a team desperately trying to compete with the crosstown Yankees, but Minaya would be foolish to go further. He should settle for a defensive specialist such as John Olerud or Travis Lee at first base, which would make the team's other infielders better. He also should be content with Cameron in right field and Cliff Floyd in left, even with Cameron likely to miss at least the first month of the season. Floyd's ...