N.Y. Mets: The Four-Headed New World Order

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

New York Mets: Meet the New Boss, Son of the Old Boss.

Ponder this if you will ...

Fred Wilpon never hired a general manager who he didn't previously know personally well.  Now his son is following in his footsteps.

On very good advice, Fred Wilpon and Nelson Doubleday upon purchasing the team in 1980 hand over their baseball operations to Frank Cashen.  By the end of his tenure in 1991, Cashen cultivates a crop of front office executives (Al Harazin, Joe McIlvaine, Jerry Hunsicker, and junior member Steve Phillips) that at the time become the envy of the league despite their growing reputation as notorious infighters.

Entering the 1992 season, Frank Cashen and Fred Wilpon promote Al Harazin (the least qualified of the lot) to the rank of general manager.  Angered at being passed over, both Hunsicker and McIlvaine leave the organization.  Jerry Hunsicker becomes general manager of the Houston Astros; Joe McIlvaine accepts the San Diego Padres position.  Fred realizes his mistake two years too late, and phones Jerry Hunsicker pleading for his return, but is rebuffed.  Fred then dials-up Joe McIlvaine, who agrees to rejoin the Mets and succeed Harazin as its next general manager.

After McIlvaine is fired, Fred promotes Steve Phillips, who in turn is responsible for bringing into the Mets front office fold Jim Duquette and Omar Minaya.  However, Minaya soon accepts the Montreal Expos' general manager position.  When Fred Wilpon fires Phillips, he turns to his lone remaining in-house front office executive, Jim Duquette.  However, his time in office is short-lived.  Duquette is replaced when Fred reverts to past practice, and dials up old friend Omar Minaya, who gladly returns to the Mets.

The main point to be taken away from all this is, familiarity.  Firing Omar Minaya ends Fred Wilpon's run of in-house general managers.  All Fred's previous hires are selections from house stock furnished by Frank Cashen and Steve Phillips, and he exhausts them all.  For the first time since purchasing the team and handing over operations to Frank Cashen, the Wilpons are forced to seek out a new general manager through their own volition.

After receiving professional consultation, both Fred and Jeff Wilpon conduct a rather ineffectual search that leaves them no closer to hiring a legitimate executive than when they first begin.  Not until Bud Selig intervenes by making Sandy Alderson (working for MLB in Dominican Republic) available do the Mets reconcile their front office.  I would also argue Alderson is more than just a friendly recommendation.  His primary function (IMO) is to keep MLB's National League club in an operational state while ownership attends to their unfolding financial calamity.  In any event, the Mets fruitless search for a general manager ends post haste.  What should have been a joint decision involving Fred Wilpon making his last hire, and Jeff Wilpon making his first general manager hire, turns out being neither.

Sandy Alderson stepping down this past summer due to health reasons puts the Mets back in the same situation they found themselves in 2010, only this time the way is finally clear for what will certainly be Jeff Wilpon's first effectual hire.

Before even formulating a list of potential candidates, Jeff Wilpon in no uncertain terms sets preconditions for the team's next executive.  Both he and Fred want Mickey Callaway back to start the 2019 season.  Jeff, meanwhile, prefers Omar Minaya, J.P. Ricciardi, and John Ricco, be retained as part of a greater front office enterprise.

This makes me wonder what right-minded, confident, and qualified executive of high regard (with a backbone) would accept such preconditions particularly coming from an ownership which promises autonomy, but who's reputation for being overly sensitive, reactive, and meddlesome, precedes them.  I also question Jeff Wilpon's decision regarding John Ricco's involvement through the first round of screening.

It's not unreasonable of me to say being general manager of New York City's National League club should be one of baseball's most highly sought out positions, but it's not.  Once the likes of Ben Cherington, Thad Levine, and Mike Chernoff express little to no interest, I sense the Mets are in big trouble.  The remaining list of candidates itself is not overly impressive: Gary LaRocque; DeJon Watson; Casey Close; Dave Littlefield; Kim Ng; Doug Melvin; Chaim Bloom; Brodie Van Wagenen; etc.

All the while an internal struggle is simmering between Fred and Jeff Wilpon.  Fred wants to hire an old school executive with a traditional background in scouting and development.  However, Jeff wants the Mets veering off in a new direction and catching up with 21st century analytics.  Ben Cherington was my main consideration, but I would have been agreeable with Kim Ng.  Her resume speaks for itself.  However, the list of candidates is whittled down to three finalists: Doug Melvin, Chaim Bloom, and Brodie Van Wagenen.  Melvin initially emerges as the favorite, but then is suddenly declared out of the running. 

That leads me to believe one thing: Jeff wins the tug-o-war with his father.  If you were unsure before, know this now: Jeff Wilpon is firmly in control of the New York Mets.  And I submit to you he is making the same mistake as his father.

At first glance, hiring Brodie Van Wagenen appears out of the box.  I beg to differ.  Above all else, Ben Cherington, Kim Ng, Doug Melvin, Mike Chernoff, Chaim Bloom, et al, are all unknowns.  They all also represent contrarian opinions and ideas.  Outside of Frank Cashen, hiring Van Wagenen is no different than Fred hiring Harazin, McIlvaine, Phillips, Duquette, or Minaya, because they were all friends to Fred first, and executives second.  Likewise, Brodie Van Wagenen and Jeff Wilpon are friends.  They've formed quite a relationship over the years.  That gives Van Wagenen a great personal understanding into Jeff (and his father).  Said another way, Jeff ensures himself of having a compassionate friend by his side.  Chaim Bloom would truly have been thinking outside the box.  But he's a stranger, and a contrarian.  Now we go from a three-headed monster, to a four-headed monster.  Lest we forget Jeff Wilpon's stipulations.

Never once did Fred willingly go out of his comfort zone.  Sandy Alderson was the lone exception.  By hiring Brodie Van Wagenen, Jeff Wilpon gets to remain in his.

Like father, like son.

The organization now moves forward according to Jeff's vision.

Meet the New Boss Metsian Podcast Special

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

This is your mess now, Brodie.

A METSIAN PODCAST

with Sam, Rich, and Mike

Brodie Van Wagenen is Named 

13th General Manager in Mets History

Sam, Rich, and I offer three very different perspectives.

Sixty-Five Minutes

Willie McCovey

R.I.P.
1938-2018

"Stretch"

Other Stuff

Jeff Wilpon ~ Brodie Van Wagenen ~ Fred Wilpon

New Direction ~ Father vs. Son ~ The 18-yr old Baseball Man

Manny Machado ~ Bobby Bonilla ~ Bryce Harper ~ Kei Igawa

Frank Cashen ~ Joe McIlvaine ~ Steve Phillips ~ Omar Minaya

Catcher ~ Bullpen ~ First Base ~ Money Matters

The Four-Header Monster ~ one eff word ~ and more...!

N.Y. Mets: The We Just Want Meaningful Conversation in September Metsian Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Partner @MetFanRich and I bring you a 

wide ranging and very straight forward Metsian discussion.

1 hour, 18 minutes

 

STUFF

California fool's gold rush ~ Bobby Ojeda ~ Home Run Baker

PON vs. Son of PON ~ Omar Minaya ~ scouting vs. analytics

Pitching ~ Pitching ~ Pitching

DeGrom's streak ~ Thor's Hammer ~ The Wonder Wheeler ~ Dwight Gooden

Terry Collins ~ Bullpen ~ Closer ~ What Inning Limits?

Mickey Callaway ~ Dave Eiland ~ Wally Backman ~ Frank Viola

Home Run Baker ~ Tim Foli ~ Ryan Church ~ gambling ~ The Black Sox

Pragmatism ~ more Cy Young talk ... and so much more!

N.Y. Mets: Meet the Meddlers

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Mets Say Mickey Callaway Is Safe 

No Matter What Next General Manager Thinks

New York Mets: Ownership Lays Groundwork For More Meddling in 2019.

Wallace Matthews writes what I've been saying for nearly a decade.

Jeff Wilpon pays people to take bullets for him. Alderson is just the latest 

in a long line of human shields. - Wallace Matthews, FORBES

I took a break from this narrative when Sandy Alderson assumed office.  Otherwise I first broached this subject back when Omar Minaya was still general manager, then again last year when he is rehired by the organization.

We joke with little amusement of the three-headed general manager.  But the real three-headed monster is Fred, Jeff, and silent Saul, and their collective inability to venture far off campus for sake of effectively seeking out a qualified independently minded executive - someone so blatantly confident as to either demand they stay clear away from baseball operations, or tells them to stick it.

PON and Son of PON have proven repeatedly how their various insecurities and paranoia prohibit them from trusting an unknown executive.  Proof positive is Fred spending his entire Mets career relying solely on executives provided by Frank Cashen and Steve Phillips.

Think about it ...

Cashen populates his front office with Al Harazin, Jerry Hunsicker, Joe McIlvaine, and Steve Phillips.  Upon his retirement, Cashen inexplicably names Al Harazin as his replacement.  Jerry Hunsicker and Joe McIlvaine rightly blow their tops, and bolt the organization (Hunsicker to Houston and McIlvaine to San Diego).  When Fred Wilpon finally grasps the magnitude of Al Harazan's ineptitude, he first asks Hunsicker to return and is rebuffed.  Fred then calls Joe McIlvaine begging for his return.  Unlike Hunsicker, McIlvaine agrees.  Fast forward - Fred exhausts his patience with McIlvaine's irreverent behavior.  Fred executes his next in-house hire, this time appointing Steve Phillips as new general manager.  Phillips in turn brings into the front office fold both Omar Minaya and Jim Duquette.  However, Omar would soon accept the general manager's position at Montreal.  When Steve Phillips earns his pink slip, Fred Wilpon turns to his lone remaining in-house executive, Jim Duquette.  Before Jim is allowed to complete his second season on the job, a panicked Fred Wilpon is back on the phone begging for Omar Minaya's return.  Like McIlvaine, Minaya agrees and assumes the office of general manager.  Omar brings in John Ricco.  Minaya gets fired.

By this time it becomes crystal clear how repeatedly hiring enablers; mutually familiar predisposed sympathetic executives; only fuel Fred's and Jeff's penchant for meddling in baseball affairs.  It was during Omar Minaya's tenure as general manager that I finally deem Fred Wilpon's Mets a lost and inbred organization in dire need of a commanding outside influence.

Enter Sandy Alderson, who I view as an anomaly.  Ownership's search for a general manager to replace Minaya as far as I'm concerned was farcical at best.  It was to be COO Jeff Wilpon's first effectual hire.  But even after seeking out professional consultation, Jeff's search goes nowhere until then Commissioner Selig makes Alderson available.  Wink, wink; nudge, nudge; ownership's search comes to a screeching halt.  Sandy Alderson is hired on the spot.

When health issues necessitate Sandy Alderson stepping down, Wallace Matthews suggests COO Jeff Wilpon may have already been contemplating mutual separation.  Sandy Alderson is not Frank Cashen, and Jeff is not his father.  Although Cashen answered directly to ownership, it's abundantly clear Cashen operated autonomously, and completely free of interference.  Every general manager since, to varying degrees, had Fred looking over their shoulder.  Whereas Omar maintained a working relationship with both PON and Son of PON, Sandy on the other hand answered directly to Jeff.

It's rather ponderous to me that Son of PON would be so motivated as to actually fire Sandy Alderson after tasking him with shielding ownership from a constant onslaught of slings and arrows.  Surely Jeff wasn't going to blame another two straight 90-loss seasons on Alderson, was he?  I would like to think that at some point during his tenure Sandy tried telling Jeff to butt out.  An unlikely scenario, as Jeff would not have allowed that being as both he and his father refuse to look themselves in the mirror and humbly admit they themselves are the overriding problem.  Circling back, we'll never know if Jeff really had it in him to fire Alderson, as the former general manager wound up making that decision for him.  This much is certain, throughout Sandy Alderson's time as general manager, ownership's meddlesome decisions are wildly dictated by their own financial distress.  Their sole focus is and has been protecting gate receipts versus smartly building a sustainable winner.  They've done just enough to elicit a ray of hope from the paying customer, nothing more.  In the end, they let Sandy take the fall, as they themselves maintain the club is financially stable.

Many years ago (pre-Madoff) Fred Wilpon told us very plainly with regards to payroll that he aims to break even.  Meaning, if we pack the place, they spend more; if we don't show up, they spend less.

Former general manager Steve Phillips is rather emphatic when it comes to defending the Wilpon's.

Now for a more detailed credit check ...

I wrote an article Feb. 18, 2018, wherein I list my sources:  FINANCIAL FOLLY

By late summer 2002 Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon have the terms of their divorce settled by an independent party.  Fred must pay Doubleday 50% up front, and the remaining balance over the ensuing three years.  At the same time, Steve Phillips leaves behind a last place team with the highest payroll in the National League.  Fred then orders puppet Jim Duquette to cease spending.  Minaya takes over, and convinces ownership to reopen their wallets.  They acquiesce, but today we better know the reason why.  Just as they had done in order to raise Nelson Doubleday's money, and just as they had done with deferred money owed to Frank Cashen, Fred Wilpon relies on Madoff accounts to fund Minaya's expenditures.  All the while, Fred Wilpon is seeking financing for the construction of Citi Field.  As fans pack Shea Stadium in its final years, Fred Wilpon sways lenders with promises of 3.5 million in sustained annual attendance.

When the Madoff ponzi scheme is revealed, the Wilpon's world comes crashing down all around them.  Without delving into every bit of minutia, they are forced eventually into selling upwards of 25% of the club to outside investors.  In 2015, they refinance $750 million dollars of interrelated SNY and club debt due over a five year period (this being year three).  This past off-season, Jeff Wilpon announces he is shaving $20 million dollars from the previous year's opening day payroll.  An unrelated report by FORBES, perhaps reveals the underlying reason why.

One can only conclude that financially and operationally, we are being told one thing, while ownership does another.

Just ponder this exceptional mess the Mets are in ...

Just look at the organizational backtracking ...

John Ricco is presently the face of the front office, while Omar Minaya mentors Jeff Wilpon.  Then there's J.P. Ricciardi, an Alderson guy.  As such, I feel he is mentally checked out, and will make his exit no later than season's end.

Ricco said Jeff Wilpon instructed all three to be creative heading into the trade deadline.  Then the plan suddenly changed, then changed again.  The results speak for themselves.

More proof of continued meddling ...

Last September Newsday reveals how principle owner Fred Wilpon shields (then) manager Terry Collins from general manager Sandy Alderson and from his own son COO Jeff Wilpon, both of whom it is speculated sought Terry's dismissal for some time.  One month later, Newsday informs us how Mickey Callaway becomes the number one choice to replace Collins after spending a long lunch with principle owner Fred Wilpon.  This past Sunday, Newsday completes the trifecta by reporting Mickey Callaway is expected to return as manager in 2019, and that even if the team brings in a new general manager, Callaway would remain in his position.

Said another way, the next general manager already has his/her first precondition.

So much for autonomy!

And so I ask: what supremely qualified and respected executive would accept a Mets general manager's position riddled with stipulations?

This is exactly why the Mets need a President of Baseball Operations - an astute baseball executive whom will ensure ownership's priorities are met to their satisfaction.  A person who in turn will oversee the entire baseball operation.  A new general manager should be hired by and made to report to said president, not ownership.  Until that happens, Fred and Jeff Wilpon will continue exercising their executive decision making powers with negative effect.

Because that's what meddlers do.

Subway Series: The Best and Worst City Has to Offer

From the desks of:

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Heading in Opposite Directions

SUBWAY SERIES

New York Metropolitans

vs.

New York Highlanders

FROM

THE HOUSE THAT GEORGE BUILT

BRONX

With a 39-55 record, playing meaningful games in September is out of the question.  Instead, the Mets head into the second-half tied with the Miami Marlins for last place in the N.L. East.  On a macro level, they need to go 42-26 over the final 68 games of the season just to break even.  On a micro level, anything short of playing .500 baseball from here on out will guarantee them a second straight 90-loss season.  Meanwhile, the non-waiver trade deadline is fast approaching and the Mets have no general manager to speak of.  I suspect John Ricco is merely playing the role of front man, and that Jeff Wilpon is firmly in charge with Omar Minaya mentoring him.  As such, I'm also inclined to believe J.P. Ricciardi, as someone brought into the fold by Sandy Alderson, will not be sticking around beyond this season and already has one foot out the door.  Said another way, the Mets organizational situation is dire, their condition is critical.

At least they catch a break this weekend ...

The Mets will not be facing C.C. Sabathia nor Luis Severino whom pitched in the All-Star Game.  Giving Sabathia an extended vacation is a smart move by the Yankees.  With 18 starts to date, Sabathia is 7-6 with a very respectable 3.51 ERA, and 1.27 WHiP.  He has allowed 98 hits and fanned 77 batters in exactly 100 innings pitched.  He is the Yankees stopper; his forte is preventing losing streaks.  General manager Brian Cashman is under pressure to add another starting pitcher by the deadline, which is exactly why keeping C.C. fresh and in functioning order is in the Yankees best interest.

Otherwise, the Bronx Bombers are living up to their moniker leading the American League in home runs and team slugging en route to a stellar 62-33 record.  Yet, despite their best efforts they remain in second place 4.5 games back of the relentless Boston Red Sox who lead the circuit in total bases, team average, and runs scored.  There has never been a regular season in which both the Yankees and Red Sox each won 100 games.  After 115 years in the circuit together, this might finally be the one.  It's no wonder, then, why minions of the Evil Empire are up in arms faced with potentially having to play a one-game Wild Card playoff.

N.Y. Mets: The All-Star Game Break, Kinks, Dings and Dents METSian Podcast

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR.MET

2018

ALL-STAR GAME

Jacob deGrom

Apparently, John Heyman is reporting the Mets are in "excellent financial health."  To that I say, lies!  Sam, Rich, and I discuss this very matter on Episode #14 of a Metsian Podcast.  I want to know whom or what is the source of his information?  Is someone within the organization intentionally leaking sponsored gibberish?  If not, who then is feeding him this nonsense?  I'm not sure what he knows.  I, however, cite highly credible sources and documented facts suggesting otherwise.

We also conducted a compare and contrast regarding the respective business models of N.L. East rivals Washington, Atlanta, and Philadelphia, versus that of the Mets.

As the non-waiver trade deadline approaches, the $65,000 dollar question remains where do they go from here?  You would think the Triumvirate of Flushing has formulated a plan by now.  We'll see ... in the meantime we donned our Metsian general manager's caps and discussed each of our plans for moving the club forward.

We answered the question asking what type of person do we want serving as next general manager of the New York Mets.  After which, we failed at finding few kind words while haranguing over the bullpen and Mickey Callaway's performance, to date.

A recent Yoenis Cespedes sighting ~ why buying out Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier, and Jason Vargas makes sense ~ why is Jose Reyes still on the team ~ what we need to see transpire in the second half of the season ~ and much more.

All-Star Memories: 

• Bo Jackson; Fred Lynn; the 1999 All-Star Game and All-Century Team celebration at Fenway Park; the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field; Dwight Gooden performance in 1984; four Mets selected to 1975 All-Star Game and Jon Matlack earns victory in relief; Lee Mazzilli hits home run in 1979 All-Star Game at Seattle; and this year's selection of pitcher Jacob deGrom.

We close out the podcast reminiscing over Mets uniform #14 worn by the venerated Gil Hodges.

   

Showtime: 1 hour, 50 minutes

FOLLOW:

@THE_SamMaxwell   @MetFanRich   @BTB_MikeII

N.Y. Mets: Organization Through Rolling Dice in Las Vegas

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

CASHMAN FIELD

Las Vegas, Nevada

Mark Weiner of Syracuse.com 

is reporting the New York Mets will purchase 

the (AAA) Syracuse Chiefs.

According to Weiner, a tentative deal will allow the Mets to assume control of the Chiefs when the player development contract between Syracuse and the Washington Nationals expires after the 2018 season.  The timing also coincides with the expiration of the New York Mets development contract with the Las Vegas 51s.


New York Mets: This May Be The Best News Fans Have Heard All Year.

Sandy Alderson seemingly has 99 problems, but the Las Vegas 51s will soon no longer be one of them.

If this deal goes through, it will end a six year player development contract with Las Vegas (after next season), that has felt more like exile.

The Mets and Norfolk Tides parted ways in 2006 after a near 50-year affiliation dating back to 1969.  Most fingers pointed at former general manager Omar Minaya for souring that relationship.  Among the charges brought by Norfolk against Minaya were his apathy towards the club.

The Mets were then forced into signing a development contract with the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Pacific Coast League, for lack of better options, during the 2007-2008 seasons.

Amazingly, the perfect scenario presented itself in 2009 when the Buffalo Bisons ended its 14-year PDC with the Cleveland Indians.  Signing with Buffalo got the Mets back in the International League, and meant their triple-A affiliate would now be in the same state as their double-A Binghamton affiliate, their short-A Brooklyn affiliate, and the parent club in Queens.

Unfortunately, the outwardly ideal relationship deteriorated rather quickly.  Buffalo's front office was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the Mets organizational pool of sub-par talent, just as the Madoff scandal was blowing up in ownership's face, which in turn triggered the parent club's precipitous decline in the standings.

It's also widely believed Sandy Alderson didn't help matters much upon taking over for Omar Minaya after the 2010 season.  Buffalo felt both general managers acted apathetically towards the Bisons' own business interests.

Sound familiar?

By 2012, Buffalo had enough of the Mets front office and hastily ended their four year agreement in favor of signing a new player development contract with the nearby Toronto Blue Jays.

The 2012 Open Period in turn offered the Mets little and no options, except for joining with the very affiliate Toronto left behind, namely the Las Vegas 51s.  Said another way, Toronto's former untenable situation now became the Mets new untenable situation.

Despite (Paul DePodesta and) Sandy Alderson being old hats of the Pacific Coast League, none of this was received very well by Mets fans of the greater New York City metropolitan area.

Jet lag has always been a minor inconvenience while operating out of Las Vegas since 2013, but it has not been the logistical nightmare, in terms of flying players in/out of the pacific time zone, Mets fans originally envisioned.  It still makes little sense, however, for an east coast team to have their triple-A affiliate based 2,500 miles away in the Nevada desert.

That being said, it's Nevada's climatic conditions, and Cashman Field itself, that pose the greatest challenge, or dare I say obstacle, for Mets prospects to overcome.

Nevada's arid climate makes it difficult for pitchers to keep their fingers moistened.  This in turn compromises their ability to effectively control breaking pitches.  That in turn causes pitchers to rely on their fastball more, and challenge hitters by living over the middle of home plate more than they'd prefer.

Conversely, playing conditions in Las Vegas clearly favor hitters.  A higher percentage of fly balls tend to drift over the walls for home runs, while ground balls skip through Cashman Field's sun baked infield more quickly than at other fields.

Where it concerns the oppressive heat, it's inescapable.  I've listened to night games that are too often played in 90-plus degree temperatures.

Las Vegas has been under new ownership for a few years now, and the contentiously debated construction of a sorely needed modern stadium is finally being put to a vote next Tuesday.

Cashman Field has long been notorious for lacking modern training facilities and player amenities.  And as a Mets fans, I always found this an unacceptable condition for the organization's prospects to endure.

The Norfolk Tides, the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Buffalo Bisons, and the Las Vegas 51s, are all independently owned franchises, which in certain instances clashed with the parent club.  The Mets, however, will own the Syracuse Chiefs, which should put them on a path towards long term stability at the triple-A level - something the organization has lacked since their acrimonious divorce a decade ago with Norfolk.

Looking back, the Mets have actually enjoyed a good relationship with Sin City.  The affiliation has certainly been good for the Las Vegas 51s, and it's certainly been enjoyable for me.

Because of the time zone difference Las Vegas games usually start right after Mets games, which I'll continue taking full advantage of next season.  I've come to really appreciate listening to 51s announcer Russ Langer through the years calling games.  He effectively became a part of my summer night soundtrack.  And I will continue listening to Russ Langer call 51s games beyond next season.

Otherwise, relocating their triple-A affiliate to Syracuse is welcome news, and a great move by the Mets.

N.Y. Mets Farm Edition: From Drought to Plenty

Here's my latest for 

RisingApple.com

From Minaya to Alderson: Minor League Edition

Today is also

OPENING DAY
for the Borough's
Boardwalk Nine

Staten Island Yankees

vs.

Brooklyn Cyclones

FROM

MCU PARK

Coney Island, USA

I'll be there!

Tweet me up.

Mike

senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets ~ The Curious Adam Rubin-Sandy Alderson Exchange

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS:  As a Fan, I Like To Know My Team's Deputies Are In Full Control at All Times.



After this season's non-waiver trade deadline came and went with no activity by the Mets, ESPN.com reporter, Adam Rubin, touched a sensitive chord with yet another Mets' General Manager during a conference call between Sandy Alderson and the Media.



In July of 2009, when Adam blew the doors open on Bernazard-Gate, Omar Minaya shot back with a scathing assertion Adam Rubin's motivations were born in part from a greater effort to nefariously secure a position within the Mets organization.  To my untrained ear, it sounded like Omar insinuated Adam Rubin was cozying up to Jeff Wilpon, and engaged in reporting designed to get Tony Bernazard fired.  As far as the resulting fallout, I do not believe anyone (fans, or colleagues) found fault with Adam Rubin's reporting.  But the incident effectively sparked the beginning of the end, for the Omar Minaya era in Flushing.



Fast forward; Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - almost three years to the day later, Adam Rubin questioned why the Mets couldn't perhaps entertain the idea of concurrently be sellers as well as holding on to the possibility of being buyers during this season's trade deadline.  That line of questioning inspired this response from Sandy Alderson:

"Well, maybe you're not a Mets fan, Adam. Or you're not a Mets employee.  Or you're not a Mets observer.  You're certainly a Mets reporter.  It's not clear to me you have the same mindset as all the other constituencies that relate to the Mets.  It's a good question, but if we're just going to get marginal talent, and I'm talking about let's say maybe not even top-30 prospect status in an organization, then we have a choice to make."

For further elaboration by the General Manager and for context sake, read Adam Rubin's own article on the matter.  Otherwise, I believe Rubin's inquiry was fair.  I wondered the same thing myself.  On the one hand, I find it amusing how Adam landed a clean punch, and Sandy jabbed back.  On the other hand, I'm very satisfied Sandy Alderson took a clean hard hitting question to the body, and responded with conviction; of you get my drift.  It is now time to separate Adam Rubin from this post, and talk solely of Sandy Alderson and his engagements with the Media.



The trade deadline in no way reflects poorly on Sandy Alderson's handling of the Media.  The current General Manager of the Mets is an Alpha-GM, and will not be taken aback by even the savviest scribe.  Bernazard-Gate withstanding and towards the end of his tenure, Omar might have resorted to donning his tap-dancing shoes in an attempt to shuffle away from such lines of questioning.  As Minaya's METropilis started to crumble around the former GM, his ability to convey a message, much less explanations, deteriorated as well.  That dilemma had absolutely nothing to do with language, and everything to do with thinking on the fly.



The first portion of Omar's reign was free of such incidences or dilemmas.  Instead he was widely respected, and deemed as being on the right track.  After Carlos Beltran looked at strike three one night in Octobers-past, the relationship between Omar, Willie, Randolph, then Jerry Manuel, and the Media radically changed.  Gallons of fuel were added to an already raging fire after infamous collapses during the 2007 and 2008 seasons.  In their respective ways, the three gentlemen all lost their ability to negotiate the Media.  Instead of merely engaging in post-game Q and A, they were subjected to a nightly trial by jury and executioner.  The verdict always turned out the same way; against them.



Aside from what afflicts this 2012 Mets team, I am very contented with Sandy Alderson's and Terry Collin's confident, and intellectually strong handling of the Media.  These guys give it to you straight and hold back no punches.  Their tact has contributed greatly towards influencing, and even directing, if not deciding, a given reporter's next question, where as the previous regime fell lame after continually getting run over by the Media's big bad New York City bus.  Too often the old regime tried tip-toeing around and through issues.  Before long, they all tripped and fell.  This is not to say Sandy hasn't tap-danced around an issue or two himself.  He's just better at it and seems to have mastered, tact.



OK.., Sandy and Terry sometimes resort to utilizing the stomp method.  But I like it.  I like to know my team's deputies are in control.  Their overall exercises in control, are another matter.



Follow Adam Rubin on Twitter @AdamRubinESPN




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ The Long Lost Mets Codex

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET


NEW YORK METS:  They Have Embarked On Three Official Rebuilding Processes in Their History.  But Since the 1990's, It Seems to Have Become a Dirty Word In Flushing.  And As a Result, They've Lost Their Way.


After the Mets finished toying with other teams' legacies; finishing last every season; and setting records in embarrassing fashion over their first few years of existence, Joe McDonald; Whitey Herzog; Bing Devine; Johnny Murphy; and a host of respected scouts set about on a concerted effort to procure and develop skilled prospects.  Adherence to their plan of minor league development garnered names like Jerry Koosman; Tug McGraw; Bud Harrelson; Cleon Jones; Nolan Ryan; Gary Gentry; and others.  With a little bit of luck landing Tom Seaver and some key acquisitions along the way, the Mets parlayed their efforts into a Championship.


Retooled with some new young players and savvy pick-ups like Felix Millan; Rusty Staub; John Milner; and Jon Matlack; the Mets almost pulled off another World Series victory in 1973; falling short by one game against the A's.


But by 1975-76, the Mets recognized age was creeping up on them.  Newer, younger players, like John Stearns; Lee Mazzilli; Craig Swan; and Mike Vail were starting a transition toward youth.  Then in 1977, Tom Seaver demanded a trade out of New York because he found his bosses insufferable.  This triggered the full blown jettisoning of the last remnants of the Miracle Mets between 1977-1979 and initiated the second rebuilding of the Mets with a total commitment to the farm system.


However, the decision to totally rebuild the Mets through the farm system for a second time was thwarted by ownership's decision to finally sell the team.  By 1979, the mandate to freeze all expenditures was put in place and Joe McDonald's hands were tied regarding bringing free agents to N.Y. or making trades that would raise payroll.


Before Joe McDonald's work here in Flushing was finished; upon the purchase of the team by the Doubleday/Wilpon group heading into 1980; he drafted and developed a good many number of key components to the 1986 Championship team.  As mentioned, Lee Mazzilli enabled us to get Ron Darling and Walt Terrell.  Terrell in turn got us Howard Johnson.  He drafted Niel Allen who in return brought Kieth Hernandez to Flushing.  He drafted Hubie Brooks who helped land the Mets Gary Carter.  He selected Calvin Schiraldi in 1980 who later was traded for Bobby Ojeda.  He drafted Wally Backman; Mookie Wilson; and Jesse Orosco.  Among those that got away were guys like Mike Scott who was traded for Danny Heep and Jeff Reardon who was traded for Ellis Valentine.


Then, Frank Cashen made his mark with a continued minor league investment and drafted Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden.  And of course, give Frank Cashen credit for utilizing what Joe McDonald left behind.  So in retrospect, the two men, through vigorous minor league development, chipped in and built another Championship team for the Mets.


The third time the Mets officially committed to a minor league focused rebuilding effort came in the mid-1990's when Joe McIlvaine was General Manager.  METroplis was in total agreement with the movement.  It was supposed to have been built with Generation-K as it's foundation.  But the movement failed miserably as we know with few people to blame.  But during that time, players were drafted that inevitably landed us Mike Piazza and some components of the 2000 team.

Since then, Rebuilding has become a dirty word in Flushing.  It's become a like a lost codex burned by Spanish Conquistadors.  So what I described winds up being the complete history of the Mets' rebuilding process over the years in the Homeric oral tradition only. 


No time in between the Steve Phillips years to the present has been classified as a clear cut rebuilding process.  Additionally, after David Wright; Jose Reyes; and Scott Kazmir; the well went dry until the current crop of minor leaguers drafted by Omar Minaya started to be called up to the majors over the last two seasons.


I know what Omar Minaya was trying to do.  He was trying to align a transition of the old to new in the years between 2010 through 2012.  He just didn't get to stick around long enough to realize his plan.  Don't forget, we're still watching his blueprints in action.  Aside of jettisoning some parts of Minaya's team, Sandy Alderson is still babysitting Omar's team and grand scheme.  All Omar's contracts were designed to expire within a year or two of each other as his minor league draftees became ready for the majors.  And that is more or less, where we are now.


Sandy Alderson has had one Winter Meeting; An Amateur Draft; and a Trade Deadline thus far.  And we are still wondering what his plan might be.  Does he consider rebuilding a dirty word also?  Does he have something else in store us?  Or will he return to the ancient but proven Met Scriptures like a true renaissance man and REBUILD the Mets?  Can we finally lift the Dark Age stigma imposed on the word Rebuilding?



Mike.BTB

N.Y. METS ~ First Half Situational Report

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET


NEW YORK METS:  State Of METropolis at the Break.

Heading into the All*Star break, the Mets are a game above average.  It's better than one game below to be sure, but it's not where they need to be.  Over the next twenty days and nights, the Mets need to get in a position by where to leap-frog Atlanta in the standings for a Wild Card spot.  That means they need to be no more than 2.5 or 3 games behind the Wild Card leader; be it Atlanta; Arizona; or whomever, by the time July draws to a close.  Or, most people's thinking is that Sandy Alderson will blow the roster up.  They are 7.5 games behind the Braves.  So let's just say they need to gain five games on Atlanta before the month is through to prevent that from happening.


Over the first half of the season, pitching has kept the Mets in the position they find themselves in today.  And that should be taken at face value.  The Mets are a third place team in the N.L. East because of their pitching; not for a lack of.  But no, they won't be over-taking the Phillies any time soon.  However they've achieved a .500+ record without Johan Santana as their Ace.


Dillon Gee; the Buffalo call-up, has stepped in to surprise and mesmerize the opposition and is as responsible as any player on this roster for the Mets' modest success.  He and Jon Niese have been given doses of tough love by Pitching Coach Dan Warthen, and they have responded.  R.A. Dickey remains his own man and like all Met starters, could have stood to benefit from more offense in many games this season.  He continues to serve as a steadying force in the Mets' young rotation.  Additionally, I think any team would have taken what Chris Capuano has offered so far, running away.  As a fourth or fifth guy, any team would be glad to have him. 


And that leaves Mike Pelfrey.  Let's just say with a reasonable progression in his abilities and skill from last season to this one; or even something along the line of last year's Pelfrey; with even the slightest expectations being met..... the Amazin's could in fact be a few games or three behind Atlanta as we speak.  But even in spite of an inconsistent Mike Pelfrey, the starting pitching has been everything it's needed to be while carrying this club.  To Pelfrey's credit, he did pitch a good game against the Giants Sunday, but was victimized by an impotent offense yet again.


As far as this team being buyers or sellers at the deadline; - If the Mets turn out to be buyers, will they be looking to secure another starting pitcher?  They say you can never have enough pitching.  But the Mets biggest problem has been a lack of overall power and low offensive production.  So where the Mets, like any team, can always use another arm, they'll probably look to add some slugging to the
line-up first.


Should the Mets turn out to be sellers, I can definitely see R.A. Dickey being in demand.  I think he's done enough to dispel any notions last season was a fluke.  And at his age, he's not exactly pinned to the Mets' future like a diaper on the rest of the Met Kids.  But the knuckleball is a forgiving pitch on aging rotator cuffs and so R.A. Dickey can dependably help any and all teams right now.  Chris Capuano is another pitcher that a contender might have interest in.  Just think in terms of movable parts in the event Sandy Alderson does blow this this up.


Dillon Gee; Jon Niese; and yes, even Mike Pelfrey are all most likely part of Sandy Alderson's future plans for Flushing.  However, keep in mind, we've all seen pitchers like Mike Pelfrey test the patience of General Managers before, and lose in a test of wills.


The bullpen, as we've learned from Sandy Alderson, is an entirely different story.  Whether the Mets are in contention or not, Sandy already announced he's having a bullpen garage sale and that everyone is welcome to take a look around.  Just keep your eyes away from Bobby Parnell is all I ask.


If Francisco Rodriguez is a mosquito, that makes his 2012 contract option, Malaria.  There isn't enough OFF in the Western Hemisphere the Wilpons can spray at KRod to make him go away and not suck the blood out of their books.  The Wilpons have already broken out in hives as Coach Collins gets him steadily closer to the magic number that makes his 2012 option kick in.  So it's easy to conclude the Mets want to get rid of Francisco at all costs, and regardless of their place in the standings.  This expensive contract option is fair to dump back into the lap of Omar Minaya; which leads us right back to the reason why Sandy Alderson is here in the first place.


But to what extent can Sandy Alderson realistically transform this club..., this month, assuming we become sellers at the deadline?


In their present conditions, Johan Santana and David Wright aren't going anywhere.  At one time, trading Jose Reyes seemed almost certain.  Then that turned into unlikely.  And now that he's injured yet again with a recurring bum leg, the prospects of trading him at current are remote.  Jason Bay and that contract aren't going anywhere; at least not yet.


So of the Mets big ticket items, that leaves Carlos Beltran as the lone, realistic big fish a team might want to hook from out of the Mets talent pool.  If the Mets drop out of contention, the scuttlebutt is Beltran lands in San Francisco.  Where ever he winds up, getting something for him is better than getting nothing.  The Mets can not offer him arbitration; therefore will get no compensatory draft picks in return should he sign elsewhere as a free agent.  Knowing the Mets are motivated sellers, the return on Beltran might be minimal.  Once again, thank Omar for that contract stipulation which brings us back to why Sandy Alderson is here in the first place. ...Right.  Either way, Beltran comes off the books after this season which is what the Wilpons really want anyway.  If Sandy Alderson trades Carlos Beltran sooner than later, then we'll know for sure the fire sale is on and that all bets on contending are off.


But if the Mets are in real contention, real soon, it's simple; Beltran stays.  Then, the Mets will need all the offense they can muster.  In that event, it means they'd be buyers.  Where do the Mets need an immediate upgrade?  Answer; - Left Field.  Obviously, a player or players will have to be moved out. And what the Mets need in return is a power bat.  Who would they target?  What would it cost? They're the same questions we'd ask if the Mets wanted to solidify their pitching first.


Should guys like Justin Turner; Daniel Murphy; Angel Pagan; Lucas Duda; etc., be worried about getting packaged into a deal to improve the club?  My answer is why?


If names like Reyes; Wright; Bay; Beltran; Santana; and Francisco Rodriguez aren't involved, then what are we really talking about here?  Let's face it; we all knew about a possible scenario where if, Wright; Reyes; and Santana were all healthy, there would be a distinct possibility the fire sale would indeed be on.  Reyes and Wright were and still are the two quickest and most effective ways to recoup high level talent in a trade.  That fact has Met Fans divided.  And of all things; injuries; this team's demise; may be the very factor that keeps them all together; as many of them have become un-movable just in time to thwart any plans Sandy Alderson might have had of blowing this up.


Amazin'ly the Omar Minaya Doctrine lives on.  Outside of eliminating Oliver Perez; Luis Castillo; tinkering with second base and finally settling on Justin Turner; and signing Capuano; this is Omar's team and still runs according to his timeline.


The contracts of Reyes; Beltran; and Wright were all designed to come due roughly in order over a two year period.  Concurrently, the acquisition of Delgado; and the revolving players at catcher, second base, and left field were all preventative measures, synchronized to last until the emergence of Omar Minaya's prospects from his first two years of amateur drafting hit the parent club.

Niese; Pelfrey; Gee; Parnell; Thole; Duda; Murphy; Tejada; Ike; Henrry Mejia; Nieve; Fernando Martinez; etc., were all part of the first wave of draftees and international/Dominican free agents to reach the big club.  Others like Dylan Owen; Reese Havens; Kirk Nieuwenhuis; Jon Malo; and a few more from Omar's early drafts are still making their way up.  There are more names worth mentioning which is good news.  They may or may not pan out.  But the point is, evidence of the Minaya Plan abounds.  His problem was the Boss' son; bad luck; crippling injuries; a reliance on Glavine, Perez, and Maine; and a plan that came together too late; if at all.  The signings of Bay and KRod were wholly reactionary moves that had their genesis in a Front Office state of panic.

However, now missing is the chaos which permeated this Front Office and the constant flipping, juggling and side shows performed by our three resident clowns; Omar Minaya; John Ricco; and Lil Jeff.  Today there is one voice and one direction (though still yet to be unveiled, but in the planning none-the-less); or so we hope.  And something very important in the Land of Perceptions, there is no cornering of the GM, nor the manager, into compromising situations by the Media.  Back on June 1st, Terry Collins told them all what he thought of that tactic and advised them he wasn't the right guy for that.  They haven't crossed him since.  And Sandy Alderson?  I don't think they'd be stupid enough to try.


Jose Reyes might be topic one in Flushing these days.  But the uncertainty surrounding Jose Reyes' status as a Met has never been made an issue where-by it led to questioning Sandy Alderson's acumen.  There is no inclination, even by the fan base, to start calling Sandy Alderson a fool, similar to when things of that nature came so easily to us in recent years under the old regime.


As a man practiced in the art of team building, I personally don't think Sandy Alderson is here to pick up where Omar Minaya left off.  However, another round of debilitating injuries makes it seem so.  To be fair, keep in mind this is Omar's team that is battling to stay above .500 and make a run at a Wild Card.  Sandy Alderson just has to decide what to do with it.  Unforeseen factors may have derailed Sandy's plans somewhat also; just like it seemed everything worked against Omar.  But this time, it seems like half the Mets fan base is happy about it if it means keeping their favorite player.


We don't know what July 31st and Sandy Alderson have in store.  But we do know this has been an enjoyable first half to the season.


To be continued....


Let's Go Mets!






Mike.BTB

N.Y. METS ~ Dillon Gee; Mets' Best Chance At .500 - Tonight

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET



New York Mets:  The Amazins Can Finally Reach The Long Elusive .500 Mark Tonight With Dillon Gee On The Mound And Give ALL Met Fans Something They Can Finally Agree On.

With a win over Atlanta Tuesday night, Jon Niese managed to push his personal won/loss record over .500, while earning his sixth win (6-5) of the season.  It also extended a string of brilliantly pitched games by the Mets' starting staff during the month of June.

Jon Niese pitched 6.1 innings; allowing 2 earned runs on five hits.  His best stat of the night? - No walks.  The kid threw 95 pitches and 63 of them went for strikes.  He had 4 strikeouts on the night and lowered his season ERA to 3.46 (and dropping).

The Mets have remained tantalizingly close to the .500 mark but haven't been able to seize it yet.  The number one reason why this team is even in a position to achieve such a stepping stone has been the starting pitching.  With a little more consistent offensive productivity, the Mets could very well be making an assault for the Wild Card.  But lets not digress.


This is something I said back on Memorial Day:

Dillon Gee gets the start today against Pittsburgh; a young team on the uptick and playing at a comparable winning percentage as the Mets.   Since Dillon Gee's first call up last season, he's done nothing but provide quality starts for the New York Mets.   He's 4-0 (3.83 era) since his call-up this season and 6-2 overall.

But what's important to me is that we begin to see, Jon Niese, Gee, and Mike Pelfrey start to double, and triple-up on victories.   If they are to be mainstays in a young Mets' rotation of the future (Sandy Alderson transactions aside) they need to start operating as a staff and not surrendering to their own little Private Idaho's.   Yea; that was a little cheap shot at Pelfrey.

But it's Dillon Gee who's stepped in several times and stopped losing streaks.   Jon Niese has pitched some hard luck games.   But Dillon Gee has pitched consistently.   I joked and tabbed him a Stopper once before.   Let's leave it at that.   The Mets won yesterday so he's not stopping anything today.   But what I do want this evening is a well pitched game by Dillon Gee to double up on Jon Niese's Sunday outing.

Consistent outings by these three pitchers will determine whether the official start of Summer ushers in Hot Times In The Citi, or, a fan base falling victim to heat and team exhaustion.

If they double-up and triple-up on good, quality starts, everything will be cool.

Well, the results since then have been phenomenal and everything is cool relatively speaking.  Mike Pelfery has had his good moments, and then some not so good moments.  The same can be said of Chris Capuano who's coming off a rather brilliant outing his last time on the hill. 


R.A. Dickey is losing some really tough games he's deserved to win.  He is now closer to being last year's pitcher than being the pitcher from this past April.


But what has transpired over the last month, is Dillon Gee and Jon Niese have developed into a fine one-two punch for the Mets.  They've been doubling-up each other's starts while the rest of the staff has been plugging in competitive outings. They have kept the Mets in virtually every game.  With injuries decimating the offense in yet another season, the starting pitching, and bullpen for that matter, are the reasons why this team hovers near success (key word there is near; this team is not a success story however much we are enjoying the moment).


The offense has proven resilient and resourceful.  They have a knack for scoring late in games.  And those are endearing qualities, but they just aren't robust enough.  They have their days, but consistent slugging has been lacking from this offense for some time now.  It's unfortunate.  But it's our reality.  And as a result, we continue to chase .500 like a carrot on a stick.


But I don't view that as bad news.  Mike Pelfrey strikes me as a bigger concern than the offense does.  We at least have an explanation for our offensive woes; outside of Jose Reyes that is.


I had this to say on June 2nd, regarding Mike Pelfrey, the Mets' staff, and the offense, that are all still relevant today:

I'm Not Breaking Out The Party Hats And Noise Makers After Today's Win.

.....Because Mike Pelfrey couldn't handle The PIRATES!

That's why I'm only playing marbles with Jon Niese and Dillon Gee for now.   I've been talking about our young pitchers learning how to be a staff instead of just being pitchers. I've been speaking about doubling-up and tripling-up on effective starts.   And when I mean our young staff, I speak directly to Niese, Gee and Mike Pelfrey.

R.A. Dickey, in spite of the Mets' implosion the other day, provided a stellar start within a sequence of good starts by the Mets and is starting to show more consistency himself.   If he pitched the way he did with a bad heel, then break his foot and he might throw the Mets' first ever no-hitter.   But he's not part of our young staff; not of the future anyway. But right now, yes, we'll take him, obviously; hands down.

Even in the Mets current situation, there's still a case to be made for stringing together quality starts and playing sound defense.   Timely hitting is third in the equation.   The Ol' Amazins proved that out once before.   But today, Mike Pelfrey is becoming problematic in that age old Met formula.   We have absolutely zero indication which direction his mind; pitching; season; and career will go at this point.   As if by choice, he remains an enigma.  Where are we with Mike Pelfrey?

He above all pitchers on the Mets was supposed to be taking a huge step forward this season.   There's foolish expectations; slim expectations; and then there are logical expectations.   Pelfrey fell into the latter and he's failing like a broken umbrella in a monsoon.

The Mets surged back to beat the Pirates this afternoon in dramatic fashion.   Whoo-Hoo! But Mike Pelfrey suffered another personal mind-blowing and debilitating loss.

Big Pelf did have a good start that he deserved to win last time out.  It didn't work out though.  But yes, as the Mets are proving, stringing together quality starts and playing sound defense will keep you competitive.  Timely hitting is third in the equation.


Frankie Rodriguez and Jose Reyes combined to make a winner of Jonathan Niese Tuesday night in Atlanta to put the pitcher over the .500 level.  Tonight against the Braves, Dillon Gee and his remarkable 7-0 record take the mound.  So tonight just might be the night the New York Mets finally get their hands around the neck of .500 and can squeeze it for all it's worth.


There's still a chance these players can convince Sandy Alderson this team is worth salvaging.  You have to speak fairly regarding the situation the Met fans are in.  METropolis is a house divided between the those who detest the idea of trading Wright and Reyes, and those waiting around for the final demolition of the House Of Minaya.


I myself, do not think Sandy Alderson came on board to piggy-back nor promulgate the Omar Minaya Treatise on Met Baseball.  We all know this is still Omar's team on the field and coming through the farm system. 


Which ever side of the fence you're on, everything going on in METropolis lends itself to a completely bizarre season for Met fans who clamoured for change in our Front Office and Management, and got it.  Then we found out our Ownership's situation was more dire than anyone initially realized causing to bring into question the Mets' ability to retain some our most favorite players.  Our most reliable player over the years; David Wright; has been lost to a bad back for a still undetermined time.  The snake bite of this season starts there..., in what has been a series of snake-bitten years for the Mets and their fans.


This year, we've been chasing that confounded .500 mark like a junk-yard dog chasing down a stray cat through a fence.  But it has been a fun journey through 2011 when you ask most Met fans.  So like I said, how bizarre.


Dillon Gee will try and pitch well enough so as to provide the Mets' offense with a good chance to outscore the Braves in Atlanta tonight.  Should our newest Met hero come through and the offense obliges, then this dog will finally have a day ALL Met fans can celebrate before the uncertainty of the future grips us all again.


Let's Go Mets!!!

TONIGHT

NEW YORK METS

(SP- DILLON GEE)

vs.

Atlanta Braves

(SP - Tim Hudson)

From somewhere below the Mason/Dixon Line

Mike.BTB

N.Y. METS ~ New Front Office Is Officially On The Clock

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET


NEW YORK METS:  It's Time For The New Front Office To Start Earning Their Money.   For Paul DePodesta and J.P. Ricciardi,  June 6th is upon them.  That means Amateur Draft Time.  For Sandy Alderson, It Means Cracking His Knuckles In Preparation for July.


Quiet time?  Grace period?  Or what ever we call it, ...is over.  It's time to step out from behind the shadows, show themselves, and start the reconfiguration of the Mets in earnest now.  June 6th ushers in the Amateur Draft.  And for Paul DePodesta and J.P. Ricciardi, it means they're officially on the clock.  Let's see what assortment of goodies they can reap starting with tomorrow's opening rounds of the June harvest.

While tomorrow's opening of the June Draft will largely determine what Brooklyn Cyclones I'll be rooting for in Coney Island this summer, the bigger picture belongs to the parent club.  By GM Sandy Alderson's own assessment, the Mets minor league talent pool is dry.


Drafting players in Baseball isn't the science it is as in say, Football or Basketball.   In Baseball, all these kids are rough, ugly rocks.   The good talent evaluators see the jewels within.  Other speculators spend their time mining Fools Gold in these drafts.


They way DePodesta and Ricciardi were touted on their way into Flushing would have us believing they are diamond cutters.   Look..., just go out and find this organization some good shiny gems will ya?


DePodesta and Ricciardi are Sandy Alderson's hand picked henchmen and they were brought here in large part to start fixing the Mets starting tomorrow.  J.P. and Paul's record with the Mets, and the future of the Club's organizational course and philosophy, all start to get rewritten, now.

In name, this is a very high profile Front Office.  They haven't been spoken about much since the season started.  But for all the monetary compensation these gentlemen receive from the Mets since their hiring, they had better be as smart as they say they are because they haven't done anything we can talk about ...yet.  For all METropolis' intent and hopes, damn I hope they did their homework!


Yet, so much of this year's draft, and future Met drafts depends on the Wilpon's willingness to stray from the unofficial slotting policy they adhere to.  The Wilpons do not go over slot for prospects and as a result, trap themselves in mid-level mediocrity.  This organization has a verifiable history of not paying and a decade's long list of players hitting the wall once they reach Binghampton; the level most prospects start to get weeded out and separated from ball players.


That's where Sandy Alderson comes in.  How much autonomy does he really have?  And has he ever managed to convince the Wilpons they've made a matter of slotting policy one of their hugest mistakes as owners?  We know when push comes to shove -  money talks.  And the Wilpons don't have any extra cash lying around.  But when we are talking compensation at this level; maybe a $7 million dollar commitment to a high prized prospect, for a New York team, we should be far from talking about accounting nightmares. 


That was Omar's and Jeff's folly; ...too much dumb money on the big club and no smart money spent on the rookie levels.  If you need proof of that assertion, Kazmir, Wright, and Reyes, whom Omar inherited, were the last impact players developed by this system.  Over this year and last, have we finally seen promotable and contributing players but they come almosst a full eight years since the last substantial crop (Reyes, Wright, Kazmir).  So I ask you where has the impact rookie been in all these years?  The answer hasn't been anywhere near Roosevelt Avenue.


And since I brought up Omar Minaya, I think we all understand we are still looking at his team and handy-work.  Jon Niese; Pelf;  R.A. Dickey; Dillon Gee;  even Ike Davis,  ...and the rest of the Flushing Bisons and New York Mets still here are his collection.  So, there is a chance that some of my fellow Met fans have confused today's current state and related it to some kind of picture of the future.  As if this is still salvagable and just needs healthy players and tweeking.  But while some of the players currently on the roster I truly hope are part of our future, I would suggest you take your last looks around at what will soon become what things used to look like around here.


June Sixth folks; consider it the first day the Mets new Front Office officially has to report to work and start fixing this MESS from the bottom, up.  That includes Sandy Alderson, and not just Ricciardi and DePodesta.  Those two have their work to do starting tomorrow.  Sandy?  It's June so you know what that means right?  The trade deadline is one page flip of the calendar away.


Yep, yep, yep.  ...Time to get up.  Have a good stretch and grab a cup-o-java to go.  It's time for this Front Office to get to work.


Over the past two months, the Mets have played gritty baseball under Terry Collins.  It's gotten the Media to treat them less derisively and instead has them theorizing their own solutions for the Mets problems.  But so much of everything Mets these days is overshadowed by Fred Wilpon's woes.  And in a sense it's provided a calm before the storm in regards to this current roster.


Ridding the team of Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez earlier this season were no brainers.  Anyone who ever stayed in a Holiday Inn even knew that.  But that's nothing.  We haven't seen anything yet.  I believe that, and just reaffirmed it because I like to be consistent.  That's why if you've noticed, I haven't been too concerned with wins and losses.  I believe in busy hands being happy hands and micro-matters like Dillon Gee, Thole, Niese, Parnell, Ike, and a few others occupy my concerns until Sandy's renovation goes full blown.


It's time for the Front Office to get to work and June 6th is as good a date, and symbolically relevant as to why the new regime starts getting graded now.  This will be their first draft.


For the New York Mets' new deputies, partly recommended by MLB (Selig), in the form of Sandy Alderson and his hand picked lieutenants Paul DePodesta and J.P. Ricciardi, consider this Groundbreaking Day in the rebuilding of a new METropolis.


Or so I (we?) hope.






Mike.BTB

N.Y. METS ~ The Amazin's Buffalo Round-Up Herds Little

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR.MET





NEW YORK METS:  The Big Club Is Turning The Buffalo Bisons Into An Endangered Species.

But when it comes to current and former Brooklyn Cyclones, Back Off!

Sandy Alderson is on record saying he doesn't think the Mets have any high-quality skill at the AAA and AA levels.  He used the word "Mediocre" to describe the state of talent.  And if you remember, Buffalo was upset at Omar Minaya because they felt the Mets lacked enough quality prospects capable of drawing fans to Bison's games, and therefore wanted to escape their contract with the parent Club.



In an unfortunate development for both the Mets and Buffalo, pitcher Henrry Mejia is headed for surgery on his elbow.  In something more akin to an omen, Sandy Alderson's observations regarding the Buffalo Bisons just received some validation.  After Henrry, the Mets (un)officially no longer have a pitcher they can retrieve from Buffalo to step in and provide quality innings when needed.  And the Bisons will be without one of the few players who was capable of filling seats in Buffalo.  For either team, SP-Chris Schwinden is still an unknown neophyte.  He's off to a pretty good start.  But after him, the cupboard is now dry.  Pat Misch anybody?  Buffalo says we or Binghampton can keep him.



With regard to the Mets' high-level prospects, two independent assessments both arrived at the same conclusion.  So, there's something to that.  Buffalo ownership and Sandy were right.  The Buffalo Bisons are abysmally staffed.  Just look at their roster.



Mejia was supposed to join Dillon Gee on the big club at some point this season.   But the Mets hoped that would happen later rather than sooner in the summer.  Circumstances, namely Chris Young, caused the Mets to call-up Dillon Gee from Buffalo prematurely.  Now, for Henrry and the Bisons, it's see you next year.  I'm already on record as saying I do not agree with Dillon Gee pitching out of the Mets' bullpen.  For that I'd rather have him pitch in Buffalo.  And so would the Bisons!  But my point is, Dillon Gee pitched his way onto the big club based upon his merits as a starting pitcher.  So, let him start!  ...Or, send him down.



A few times, it actually rubbed me the wrong way when Sandy criticised the system.  But then, that would be because of the bias I have towards former Brooklyn Cyclones.  So it's better that he's calling the shots instead of me.  Because, I'll admit to you now, former Surf Avenue Sluggers are my kryptonite.



Like Dillon Gee, Dylan Owen is one of those former Brooklyn Cyclones now pitching for Buffalo.  I had and still have high hopes for this kid.  But he's been somewhat slow progressing through the farm.  His start  this season  is additionally leaving something to be desired.



Off the mound and on the field, Justin Turner has also been taken from Buffalo where he was batting an even .300 after 40 at-bats.  And while Lucas Duda has been first choice this season with regards to outfield call-ups, and also being a former Brooklyn Cyclone favorite of mine, another former Cyclone outfielder; Kirk Nieuwenhuis has quietly been enjoying a good start to his season.  After him, even I admit, there are really slim pickings.  Then again, I too have been complaining about that for years.  Lest we forget, after David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Scott Kazmir, the farm system broke down for really the first time, since 1965.



On more than one occasion I over estimated a player or two because I see many of these prospects come through Brooklyn first.  And the Cyclones are a totally different frame of mind for me.  So when it comes time for these players to make a leap to the big club, there's some pre-existing sentimentality on my part.  However, there is no mistaking the truth.  The Mets' minor league situation is dire.



J.P. Ricciardi and Paul DePodesta can only do so much in the up-coming amateur draft.  And the picks they make will be years away from answering any questions or fulfilling promise.  What I have learned over the last ten years attending Cyclones Baseball is that the N.Y.P.L. is not a clear indicator of the organization's over-all developmental health because after all, the Cyclones play A-Level Short Season which starts on the heals of the June draft.  That's one theory.



In my other theory, I lay blame on our past AA operations.  I believe they went fourteen years or so without any real playoff success to speak of.  There is much to criticize about the Wilpon's adherence to a Slotting System, because it's at the AA level when spending a little extra cash on prospects starts to pay off.  For too long, Double-A Binghampton continued to be a dead-end for many Mets' low-level prospects.  But over the last two and three years, changes have finally come to the B-Mets structure; Tony Bernazard aside.  However, there is nothing Ricciardi or DePodesta can do over the next three months that will restock the mid to high level minor league system with quality; much less quickly.



In the mean time, Buffalo is in shambles, and may very well continue insisting they be allowed out from their contract with the Mets if things don't turn around soon.  That's just an opinion.  But Buffalo also has a business to run and have expressed their sentiments on this matter before.



Specific to the Mets situation, the team has assets in Flushing they can trade at the deadline.  Stop the cycle of stop-gap measures.  The best decisions in life usually turn out to be the least popular, yet prove most prudent.  Tough decisions are what contending is all about.  Stop patching up the parent club and fix the entire system.



If we are to move forward, we have to let go first.




Mike.BTB