FLUSHING, N.Y., August 17, 2010 – The New York Mets today announced that they have placed pitcher Francisco Rodriguez on the Disqualified List for conduct in violation of his Uniform Player’s Contract. In addition, the Mets notified the player, his agent, and the MLB Players Association that it has exercised its right to convert Rodriguez’s contract with the club to a non-guaranteed contract.The Mets’ decision follows the season-ending injury to the thumb on Rodriguez’s right pitching hand as a result of an altercation following last Wednesday night’s game at Citi Field.
Rodriguez will not be paid or accrue major-league service time while on the Disqualified List.
Dr. Andrew Weiland of the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan this afternoon performed successful surgery to repair the torn ligament in Rodriguez’s thumb this afternoon.
This was the statement that the Mets released prior to last nights loss to the Houston Astros. I am among the many Mets fans that applaud the Mets decision to take this course of action in what has become yet another black eye for this franchise.We all know that last weeks skirmish was not a isolated incident. In his tenure with the Mets he has had three previous altercations. First was his screaming match with Tony Bernazard on a team bus in his first spring training with the Mets, followed by a near fistfight with then Yankee Brian Bruny before a subway series game, and he also had to be restrained while arguing with bullpen coach, Randy Neimann. Lets face it K-Rod might not be as volatile as Milton Bradley, but he is easy to put over the edge.
But with that said, Did the Mets really make the right decision?
I feel that Jeff and Fred Wilpon are in a damned if you do damned if you don’t situation. If they didn’t move to put Frankie on the disqualified list both the fans and media alike would be screaming that the Mets are a organization with their heads in the sand, afraid to speak out on matters that affect the team directly. On the other side of the coin you have to ask yourself if this will affect the Mets relationships with their own players, agents and potential free agents. Will a free agent or their representatives want to sign with the Mets when they see that the Mets are willing to quickly try to terminate a contract over what could be perceived as a minor altercation? Would a Scott Boras really want to steer one of his clients to a team that could try to void a contract in which he has a monetary stake ? I think the Mets have to tread lightly here. There are some whispers that the only reason why the Mets did this was to save themselves the remaining three million dollars that is owed to Frankie for the rest of the season , and they will only try to void his entire contract if he doesn’t come back healthy next spring training. We all knew that the players union was going to challenge this suspension . Union head Michael Weiner was quoted as saying, ” The Mets’ actions are without basis and I expect the union will file a grievance promptly“. We know the players association is the strongest union in pr sports. They were able to stop the Texas Rangers from voiding Sidney Ponson’s contract after a string of off the field DUIS and assault charges, so why should the Mets be able to come out victorious with a weaker case than the Rangers who had in my opinion a airtight one?
Well Jeff , Fred, Omar, it is good to see you guys are watching but why does it always seems that action is taken after a situation turns ugly?
” Damned if they do – Damned if they don’t !”
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!
Celebrating Birthdays today:
One time Atlanta Braves catcher who would later become a minor league manager for the Mets and later a coach from ’97-99, Bruce Benedict (1955).
Former Mets 1981,number one draft pick who never lived up to the hype , Terry Blocker is 51 (1951).
Current Mets rag doll, pitcher Pat Misch, is 29 (1981).
New York Mets purchased pitcher, Dave Ellers from the Milwaukee Braves on August 18th,1965.
The New York Mets traded outfielder, Brett Butler to the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfield prospects, Scott Hunter and Dwight Maness on August 18th, 1995.
And am I the only person that would pay good money to see Mo Vaughn wear a train engineers outfit and ride the orange train at Minute Maid Park?
94 comments
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-7:54am at 7:54 am (UTC -4)
I can’t take too seriously screaming matches and near altercations. Follow any ML club around for a month you’ll see many of those.
What KRod did the other day though did cross the line. There should be some responsibility for those actions. I don’t think the kid should be tar and feathered but forfeiting his salary for the rest of the season is reasonable, IMO.
I can’t imagine the Mets win the ‘make the contract non guaranteed’ though. But if they do, KRod has no one to blame but himself.
I just continue to think though this is less about the Mets morale high ground and more about the money….nothing but the money.
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-8:00am at 8:00 am (UTC -4)
And to continue……I’m more concerned about this perception of this team and the franchise as a whole. Enough is enough. Change has to come and it has to start at the top.
Omar must go as GM, plain and simple. Anything less in my mind , signifies business as usual – either b/c the Wilpons are clueless or it’s all about the money again. Reassigning or firing Omar means they have to spend money on a new one. Money aside, I can think of no good reason Omar should continue as GM. If he does, I see very little light at the end of this tunnel.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-8:13am at 8:13 am (UTC -4)
wow I have never see you this angry MF4D I do hope that this past season will end up being a wake up call tot he Wilpons – but even if it does – can they rectify the situation if thereports of their financial problems are true and either increasing payroll or eating bad contracts might not be either likely or possibly?
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-8:50am at 8:50 am (UTC -4)
LOL…well, not angry as much as fed up. The status quo is not remotely getting the job done. Is there really something we fans are not seeing, some reason, change has not been made?
Or maybe they’re just waiting for the off season, b/c at this point why bother.
If the Wilpons had half a head on their shoulders…IMO, the longest they should have waited to see where the team was going was May. I think everyone has had more than enough rope to hang themselves by now….
Too much rope. So much rope that they used it to rescue themselves.
And as far as the reports on $$….I won’t pretend to know what is true, what is not. But in order to make money, you have to spend a little. The best investment I believe they can make, the one that will have the most impact, is a new GM.
kingman 26
8/18/2010-9:20am at 9:20 am (UTC -4)
I am so with you as a fellow senior fan here.
The Wilpons ARE making money based on corporate sponsorship, owning the TV network, and season tickets/boxes/etc from the wealthy and businesses.
They have not spent dollar one since the spring, and clearly have no intention to. They are just not going to spend more to make more; they are going to be happy making what they can by spending less for the forseeable future–clearly.
Fred Wilpon is anything but clueless. You don’t get to where he is by being clueless-you get there by being a cold, shrewd businessman. That’s why they are not spending now to do anything.
MF4D—where have the Wilpons been?? And NOW they show up, to save millions on KRod? It could not be more clear and obvious what is going on, whether it is Ollie still being on the team; letting the Phils get Lee, Halladay, Oswalt, and who knows who next while doing zero; not firing Jerry and HoJo (even the Astros hired a new hitting coach and have gotten results!); and it goes on and on.
The Nabob crew is right about the Wilpons at this point. Let us pray that the offseason finally brings the clearly needed massive change.
To paraphrase what John Dean said during Watergate, there is a cancer growing in this organization.
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
Hard to argue with any of these points. I truly believe the Wilpons ‘want to win’, I just don’t know how much of a priority it is. But there is a big difference between fielding a competitive team and what we have now. I’m not saying they’re w/o talent but their stats across the board since the ASB are just about all worse than last years team during the same time frame.
That’s beyond pathetic. The Wilpons have to realize change is needed.
kingman 26
8/18/2010-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
I honestly do not think winning is their top priority. I honestly think that the folks who have said they want to field a competitive team and get a few big names to satisfy the press, etc., are on to something.
Again, they built a new stadium with 10,000 fewer seats–by definition that shows that overall attendance is not the key factor—owning the TV rights and corporate dollars are. Clearly.
Again, the stadium when it opened was not a Mets shrine, it was a shrine to CitiBank, Dunkin Donuts, Subway, Caesars Palace, and 50 other corporations.
And the very first time we see or hear jack from the Wilpons during this disaster season is now.
All of this does not add up to owners who bleed orange and blue and are dying to win.
Again, Fred is not even remotely close to stupid—he is just not an owner like a George or a Jerry Jones who lives and dies for his team. The Mets are just one part of his business empire.
gategem
8/18/2010-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
Both MF4D and you, Kong, make excellent points. I believe one of the areas we tend to overlook is that most of the owners of sports franchises have made their fortune in a business that is not even remotely similar to the sports entertainment business. Most of them lack the necessary time and inclination to acquire the expertise required to successfully run a sports franchise while still entrenched in their core business. And so it appears to be with the Wilpons. They have to bring in an expert in the business of baseball that they trust to run the franchise including hiring the new GM (effectively performing the tasks now in the hands of Jeffy boy) while the Wilpons act as overseers.
The major advantage the Wilpons have is the Mets location, New York. We see in Atlanta, even though the team is winning and in first place, the park is rarely sold out. OTOH when the Mets win they have to turn the fans away. With the Yankees success we tend to forget that New York historically is a NL town. The Mets acquired most of the Dodgers and Giants fan base and those fans and their offspring are still there waiting for a successful Mets team. Success on the field in New York results in an incredible increase in the revenue stream. But, Kong if what you say is correct, then the Wilpons, it appears, would be more comfortable owning a team in a secondary market.
kingman 26
8/18/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
Thanks for being someone who understands the dynamics involved with the Wilpons, for whom the Mets clearly are secondary to their core business, and also for whom the Mets are something Fred bought to give Jeff an executive job.
As for the very last point, I disagree—I think the TV network proved that. As 2010 is apparently showing, TV ratings are very good despite decreased ballpark attendance, and TV is where sports teams make their money primarily nowadays. In a smaller market, they would not make nearly as much from TV I would guess.
Dirtysanchez
8/18/2010-8:26am at 8:26 am (UTC -4)
Well its not one “minor altercation”, like you pointed out its more like 3. This guy is a hot head and the mets have a case to prove that. Will that translate into voiding out his whole contract, i doubt it. Best case scenario is the 3 mil years this year and the option. The most likely scenario is just the 3 mil this year and thats it. I hope Krod is mature enough to understand that he and he alone put the mets in this position. If im shelling out millions of dollars to a guy that gets hurt fighting with his girlfriends dad…yea id want my money back too.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-8:38am at 8:38 am (UTC -4)
But do you think that this may deter other players from coming to the mets ? I mean if the mets are able to void the contract do you think players will avoid flushing like the plauge ?
njstuckintx
8/18/2010-9:03am at 9:03 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think so. They avoid it already.
kingman 26
8/18/2010-9:13am at 9:13 am (UTC -4)
Rusty, you are SO right on the money.
The Wilpons did this for ONE reason and one reason only–the dollars.
Their heads have been in the sand, they have taken no action, they are silent and nowhere to be found, and when they see the chance to save millions, lo and behold, there they are!
You are right 100% here my friend.
KRod’s actions were wrong, and terribly timed, but again, we were not there, we have no idea how harsh the guy he hit was to KRod’s Mom, and this is, quite clearly, the Wilpons out to save dough. They could care less about anything else at this point.
And as Tex points out above, the only time people sign here (see Pedro, Beltran, Johan, KRod, Bay, Castillo, even Ollie!) is when we outbid everyone else by many millions and/or are the ONLY bidder.
Sorry, my disgust with this franchise and the amount of time and mental energy I have put into it these last two years – partly thanks to this site
– have reached critical mass.
If anyone in the front office had their head anywhere but firmly lodged deep in their ass, we would not see Mike Hessman start ONE GAME! And Francoeur should just be released. As should Ollie at this point. But Hessman makes me nauseous. And Wanny, look at his AAA stats; don’t tell me he deserves a chance.
This is a vile disgrace, and while I never have bet against the Mets, Dolphins, or Nets in my life, had I been in Las Vegas yesterday, I would have had to stay out of any casino with a sports book, as betting on the Astros winning with Figgy pitching against us was the safest bet in the history of sports.
Thank you.
njstuckintx
8/18/2010-9:26am at 9:26 am (UTC -4)
Frankie is a tough one here. He’s been the best option out of the pen, for sure, but with holes in the Bull Pen, 2B, a need at SP and better options than Carter, Frenchy (assuming he is on the bench where he belongs), Castillo (ditto to Frenchy’s comments), they are going to have to spend some dough. If losing Frankie’s awesomeness provides a net gain, I’ll say thanks for the saves and jab, jab, left hook, right uppercut.
I know we have discussed and killed the $$$ issues, but I wonder if they had just come out and stated that “yes, we have been hit financially and have to scale back our efforts.” we would be killing them less than now. Honestly, I have no issues with a reduced payroll, with 1 HUGE stipulation. That stipulation is that they field a better product than currently in place. Saving 6 million on Castillo, 12 Mil on Ollie, 3-ish on Frenchy, etc. etc. for parts that will play as well for much much less is perfectly acceptable to me. Now, I’d like to get better parts to replace the flotsam that the Mets should be jettisoning, but you get my point I hope. Spend right. Don’t just spend.
kingman 26
8/18/2010-9:32am at 9:32 am (UTC -4)
Yes, if they came out and said ANYTHING I would feel better. But they have been everywhere but here until it is time to save millions.
Of course I agree we have many holes, but as bad as the year has been, where would we be without KRod’s largely very good performance? Remember 2008 after Wagner went down?
I am sorry Tex, but I cannot believe that after 2007-2008, then after 2009, that NOW we have sunk even further! Just feeling stupid and used for the time I put into this team.
njstuckintx
8/18/2010-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
Trust me, KRod has been extremely good. And I would hate to see him go, but for what the resources that have been allocated to him (especially for that option year) could net in return… Well, that is enticing.
And for 2007-2008, there really weren’t any injuries to speak of that i remember. When you rely on a few star players to carry your team, and they do, then having the rest of the roster filled out with spare parts works. When they don’t produce (a la Bay) or break down (Reyes, Beltran, Delgado, etc. etc) the scrubs really get exposed and the team stinks.
A better philosophy of team construction would be nice. That is why I would be in favor of axing KRod to get, say, Gonzalez as a cheaper option and get some better other options than the Acosta’s and Dessen’s and Mexican Leaguer’s that have been abounding here.
stickguy
8/18/2010-9:44am at 9:44 am (UTC -4)
are you kidding? If they came out and said that (they were broke), then they would be getting roasted 100X worse, with constant “sell the team, we deserve more” crap.
I agree though about spending the money right, not foolishly.
and for kingman, I got no problem with a 120mm payroll, as long as it is talented and wins.
Say they can trade ollie and castillo for full salary relief (pretend with me here) and release Frenchy. They then trade for a low paid stud SP, and get rookie or younger RF and 2B. Net savings ~16mill. But, a vastly more talented team.
Isn’t that a good thing, even though payroll went down?
When teams build from within, and are starting the asscent to greatness, payroll almost always is lower. Then (like the phils) guys get older and get paid more, and you get an old expensive team.
TRS86
8/18/2010-9:34am at 9:34 am (UTC -4)
Why shouldn’t they try and recoup the money? It’s 3M dollars that Krod is not going to earn.
As for Hessman, I don’t have the hate for him that you do. He has earned a chance to be on the MLB team. What I don’t get is why he is starting for Ike.
I do like the fact that he has played 1b, 2b, ss, 3b, lf, rf, cf, and catcher in the minors. If you are a ph/ emergency guy it does not matter how well you have played those. As for his offense earning a chance: .274 .351 .573 .924 in AAA this year with 18 HR in 282 PA. That’s serious power even if it is in the minors. Who do we have in the organization that is more qualified to take the Tatis role? Again, my problem is why is he starting for Ike? Throw him in at LF or give Wright breaks at 3B. Ike needs to play.
kingman 26
8/18/2010-9:44am at 9:44 am (UTC -4)
This was Hessman’s NINTH year in AAA.
In 2009 his line was .217/.324/.442. In 2006 he hit .165.
I cannot wear the rose-colored glasses of eternal optimism right now TRS.
TRS86
8/18/2010-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
So should we discredit his numbers this year?
Lets not start this damn debate over rose colored glasses because someone does not feel the same way you do. I think the guy deserves a chance to be on the team. One because he had a very good season this year in AAA and two because there is no one else to take his spot in the minors. I don’t think he’s great nor do I think he even has a role on next year’s team. That’s why he should not be starting for Ike.
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
+1
kingman 26
8/18/2010-9:28am at 9:28 am (UTC -4)
Wilpon was asked if he would prefer to have that $11.5 million back in the club’s coffers, rather than heading toward K-Rod’s pocket.
“First of all,” he said, “I think it’s hypothetical. But what if one of the guy’s steps up in the last 45 games or so here and shows that he can take over the job and do a good job? There’s a lot of circumstances that will come into that. And that will be up to the GM to decide.”
————————-
Already laying the groundwork for Taka or Parnell as the 2011 closer. Get ready for the 120 million payroll in 2011.
TRS86
8/18/2010-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
As this point we just have to let this play out. Trying to speculate what the hell they mean based on quotes to the media about a situation that will go to an arbitrator is quite difficult.
stickguy
8/18/2010-9:40am at 9:40 am (UTC -4)
agreed. I don’t really see them getting out of the whole contract (or even getting it all unguaranteed).
Get the 3mill back this year (hopefully it goes somewhere useful, like an IFA!), and figure out how to wheedle out of the option later.
next year I am not that worried about.
kingman 26
8/18/2010-9:47am at 9:47 am (UTC -4)
Agreed TRS, but the fact that this is the first time we have heard anything significant from the Wilpons in forever certainly shows what their priorities are and the kind of issue they will show their faces for.
TRS86
8/18/2010-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
Don’t you think they were kind of forced to say something here?
kingman 26
8/18/2010-10:00am at 10:00 am (UTC -4)
Don’t you think saying or doing something after the disastrous west coast trip after the all-star break would have been appropriate?
When is the time for action?
The Astros replaced their hitting coach and have gotten results!
Does Wright have to have one foot in the dugout when he strikes out before someone does something??
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
Oh I am not saying they should not have done something by now. However, I can’t say that because they spoke now that it’s because of some priorities. They were bascially forced to speak.
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
Did anyone else pick up he said ‘GM’ and not Omar?
Here’s hoping that’s b/c Omar will not be the GM come ST.
stickguy
8/18/2010-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
I will agree with MF that it has gotten to the point where Omar has to go too (jerry, hojo and warthen are already foregone conclusions IMO). Even if it is to save face, or give th eimpression of change, I don’t think he can survive now.
sad thing is though, I am guessing (and Real thinks this way too) now that they only do minor tuning in the off season, with a new SP, 2B, and some bench/BP parts. Really things that even Omar could (hoepfully) not botch too badly.
A new GM/VP BB (what they rally need, to get Jeffy out of the operations side ofthings) might however want to shake the roster up even more. With this sorry bunch, I got no problems with that. Don’t think it is really required though. Or likely to happen.
so, get the new sherriff in town, and instill a fresh no BS attitide (man, I am thinking they snoozed on Buck as the right guy). Clean out the manager and coaches, and put in a group that are all on th same page, and that expect things done right. And it would be nice if the HC could actually, well, help guys with hitting problems!
that alone could take this bunch into viable contendors (the old “oin paper” theory.
appease the fans, and bite the bullet (meaning eat salary as needed) to make slappy and ollie go away. Frenchy and barajas too, but they go away with nothing but a handshake and a swift kick in the ass.
Other than them, there actually isn’t 1 guy that I would have a problem with being back next year (in the correct role of course). Sure, if they could move Beltran, I would not be unhappy, but I don’t think it has to (or will) happen. And maybe another off season to rest + a contract year = sucking it up and playing through the pain! Long as the mets dont give him the contract, all the better for us.
Simply plan really, although to fully work, Jeffy has to be willing to replace himself with a strong BB guy on the operations side. A puppet GM probably won’t do it.
TRS86
8/18/2010-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
Well….. I am now torn on the GM. While I don’t think Omar is as big of an issue as some, after listening to Frank Wren talk about calling up Mike Minor for the start yesterday (a guy they drafted last year) I got to thinking about how even if we do have financial problems (which has not been proven) a good GM would be able to pull things out of a hat from his minor leagues. While Omar has pulled Ike and Niese and surprised us with Dickey, I don’t feel it’s enough.
stickguy
8/18/2010-9:47am at 9:47 am (UTC -4)
The problem with the mets is that they have gotten way too bogged down in off field, and “cultural” type stuff in the organization. That, more than just objectively looking at his performance, is why Omar should be moving along.
Entire team needs to have the windows opened and a giant can of Febreeze sprayed on it.
kingman 26
8/18/2010-9:46am at 9:46 am (UTC -4)
Jeff Wilpon is going nowhere and thinking he is is pretty unrealistic. His Dad owns the team and gave control to his son!
And Showalter was my first choice for the last year or two–but did you see what the Orioles paid him?
You should be worried about next year. Very worried.
TRS86
8/18/2010-9:56am at 9:56 am (UTC -4)
Oh I am terrified…. LOL.
kingman 26
8/18/2010-10:01am at 10:01 am (UTC -4)
LOL for blindly supporting ownership that is laughing to the bank at people like us.
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
I am blindly supporting ownership? Kingman when you get on these tears it’s your way or no way isn’t it? If you think they are laughing at you then turn them off right? I think that the Wilpons have made a lot of mistakes, one of them is not spending a crap load of money, one of them is spending it in the wrong places. I don’t have a problem with the Wilpons as owners, sorry. But what I don’t get is why I should be suddenly terrified about next year.
stickguy
8/18/2010-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think Jeffy will (or has to) go anywhere. He can stay as president, or whatever the hell his title is.
He just needs to realize that he is not able to GM the team himself, and put someone in place with real authority to hadnle the BB part of the equation. He can sit in on planning meetings, deal with al the other aspects of the team, just keep his nose out of the day to day operations of the roster, etc.
Just like probably every other team presidient, even the dopeasses over in the bronx.
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
Agreed.
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
I agree with everything you said, even about missing the boat on Buck. I’m not a fan of Wally as manager and I’m afraid that’s exactly what they’ll do. So mis conceived idea about a ‘fan favorite’ and saving money combo….
TRS86
8/18/2010-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
I have seen a few comment that the Mets won’t reassign Omar and bring in a new GM because it would cost money. Actually they already have a GM working for them that can be promoted and Omar reassigned with very little money changing hands. Wayne Krivsky. I have studied him a lot the last couple of days and I think that considering the options out there he may be the best man for the job. If you look a the Reds and their spot in the NL Central 90 % of that is due to Wayne.
njstuckintx
8/18/2010-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
I was under the impression that when he left, the team was for the most part not good.
stickguy
8/18/2010-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
But, the talent that has made them good was acquired and developed while he was.
GMs are like presidents and the economy. THere is always a lag time between policies and results. So, the new guy always gets credit (or blame) for what the previous guy did!
njstuckintx
8/18/2010-10:08am at 10:08 am (UTC -4)
So does that mean we are going to have to go through a recession record-wise with the mets with new management, regardless of who it is that comes in before it gets better?
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
They fired him based on a gut reaction due to a poor start. In other words they tried to appease the fanbase. His comment when he left was that he was very shocked and upset because this team was on the verge of being very good “a gold mine”.
njstuckintx
8/18/2010-10:09am at 10:09 am (UTC -4)
If it is a simply reassignment with “no money lost” due to firings, I hope it happens. And soon too.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:08am at 10:08 am (UTC -4)
but do you guys think that I am wrong with my assesment that this might affect our being able to lure quality players to Flushing? I mean could it be possible that this team could reverto to pre ’05 where no big guys wanted to play for us?
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
Yes I think moves like this and the releasing of guys right before their options kick in or during ST at the last possible second all hurt future negotiations.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
like I said damned if you do damned if you don’t – thats why if both Jerry and Omar goes – they must be replaced with men ( people) with great track records – not a Ricco or a Melvin
stickguy
8/18/2010-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
NO. as always, they just have to offer more.
But given the recent track record with big $$ FAs, maybe it would be a good thing if they could not go down that path!
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
Right, so in theory it does hurt negotiations because they have committed to not overpaying mediocre players according to their actions last off-season.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
yeah but other than Bay who did they overpay for this past offseason?
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
Right, it appears as though they are committed to not overpaying for guys like Molina and Pineiro. So that means they are not going to get those type of players I guess.
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-10:15am at 10:15 am (UTC -4)
Which just makes Fred Wilpons statement on Jeff doing an excellent job even more ludicrous.
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
Very true, kind of hard for Daddy to come out and say Son you suck. That’s the problem with hiring family. I saw it for a few years at UVA in football with the coaches son being the offensive coordinator.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
or James Dolan or Angelos sons hey even George W Bush
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
Hey MC gets it.
“However, before that happens, from what I’ve been told, the team might approach Rodriguez this off season about re-working his contract and making it all ‘non-guaranteed,’ in an attempt to avoid sending the case to an arbitrator.
Basically, it sounds to me like the Mets are going to do their best to have it both ways: keep Rodriguez around, since they still might need a closer next year… but if he isn’t healthy, or if they’re just not happy with the overall situation, they can cut him at very little cost.”
As I said last night the Mets want their cake and to eat it too. Which in my opinion is why they are in the situation they are in. They want to get the 3M and get rid of the option while still having an elite closer.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
yeah Cerone makes a good point – but lets face it – this can blow up in Fred and Jeffs face also
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
Rusty I imagine it will. I think if there is a black mark on the Wilpons it is that. They try to have the best of both worlds.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
and to quote Yoda – That is why you fail !
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
Fail that is why you do.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:22am at 10:22 am (UTC -4)
do or do not – there is no try !
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
I use that one all the time in coaching. Sounds like Yoda borrowed that one from Wooden.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
Mr Woodman from welcome back kotter !!!
oleosmirf
8/18/2010-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
now lets say for arguments sake the mets manage to get his contract non-gauranteed. wouldn’t that make it extremely easy for them to trade him at the deadline?
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
Yeah if they were out of the race.
However, if not then why would they? The option will be dead either way.
oleosmirf
8/18/2010-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
well until the Mets address 2B, #2/3 SP and an 8th inning guy in the offseason, i have them out of the race…
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
Not a doubt in my mind that’s what the Mets are doing. KRod handed them a great opportunity on a silver platter for getting out of a contract they now deem too expensive. IMO it has very little to do with any high moral ground.
KRod really screwed himself here, didn’t he?
Even if the Mets aren’t able to take that guaranteed option off the contract, KRod might very well have a label attached to him now that’s going to make it difficult for him to come close to getting this type of contract ever again.
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
4D I don’t think they even want out of the contract completely. At least not now anyway. They want both. They want the 3M, the ability to forget the option and have an elite closer.
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
I’ll agree with that.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
taking the moral ground was cutting vince coleman as soon as the fire cracker accident occoured – this does smell of a money grab – and like with Livan Hernandez and Billy Wagner it is at first about 3 million bucks
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
Don’t you think they should try and get that 3M though? Regardless of their money situation.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
of course – but to the general population it comes across as a money grab
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
I am not that concerned with what it comes across to the general public. I would think anyone with a head on their shoulders realizes they would do the same thing if they could get back 3M from a guy not earning it.
oleosmirf
8/18/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
i agree although I do believe that they want him gone regardless if that option were to exist…
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
Yes, they should. I have to side with the FO here that this was not an accident, but KRods own fault. Therefore, they should be compensated for KRods loss of services the rest of this year.
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
Right. If I go out and do the same and can’t work then I have to take my sick days. They are not going to just pay me to stay at home. Of course us in the real world they can suspend us without pay anytime they want too.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
I agree with the both of you – I am just afraid that there might be a bigger cost in the long term – over recouping 3 mill
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
Good move for the Braves near completion. Derrek Lee. Lee would play 1B and Glaus would most likely switch back to 3B.
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
Damn, this just makes me even more disgusted.
Marlins fire their manager when they think they should be competing and aren’t.
Phils go out and get yet another top tier pitcher, and another temp 1st baseman even though theirs wasn’t projected to be on the DL for longer than 15 days.
Braves still making deals to bolster their roster.
The Mets? Other than the off season acquisitions – which BTW didn’t include a much needed pitcher…..do nothing. Not when we had all those injuries last year. Not when we struggled for 2 months this year, not when we struggled after the ASB.
So this franchise has to hit rock bottom, two years in a row, before they make a move. And if they don’t make those moves, starting with Omar in the off season..I’m gonna be one frustrated, pissed off Met fan…
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
did you honestly expect anything less? and to the wilpons discredit – this only fueld the Mets are in financial ruin columns and speculation
njstuckintx
8/18/2010-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
I’m almost glad they didn’t get reactionary and start trading off the kids.
You can’t replace Bay, who was sucking. Pagan was/is awesome, so you aren’t doing anything with him.
If he could have done something for the Ollie/Castillo/Frenchy situation, that would have been good, but they can’t seem to cut ties with dead wood.
I guess what I’m saying is that unless you were making the deal for Lilly, there wasn’t much to be had that fit the Met’s needs (barring Oswalt) or wouldn’t have cost them one of Mejia/Davis/Niese or the kids of Fmart/Tejada/etc. Whether the minor leaguers should have been shipped off is a whole other debate.
TRS86
8/18/2010-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
I completely agree. The best move Omar did this year was to not make a move.
metsfan4decades
8/18/2010-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
Well, I was more implying they missed the boat on a SP AND firing the coaches early enough this season to have made a difference.
njstuckintx
8/18/2010-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
That I can agree with. I still thought they could have made a play on Oswalt, who would have impacted the rotation for more than just a rental, filling a hole that is currently in the rotation and will be most likely going into next season (FA SP pool sucks for the most part). But other than that, as they did not act fast enough (they never do, except to rush rookies up through the system) on acquiring SP help, BP help or having a new Admiral at the helm.
oleosmirf
8/18/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
except we didnt have the prospects to get him b/c Omar’s drafting has been terrible
njstuckintx
8/18/2010-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
I disagree. We did. It may have taken about 5 of them, but something could have been done. Omar prob. tried to low ball it or could work the cash aspect of it.
oleosmirf
8/18/2010-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
well giving up that many prospects would have been stupid. even with Oswalt we werent making the playoffs anyway.
there are enough guys available this offseason who are close enough that it doesnt make sense to give up all of our prospects
kingman 26
8/18/2010-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
You should be disgusted MF4D.
We should have been in on Oswalt for sure.
Even if they fire/re-assign Omar, it will mean little to nothing if they hire a mild, retread (read: inexpensive/noncontroversial) manager to replace Jerry and continue to lower the payroll.
saltygary
8/18/2010-10:27am at 10:27 am (UTC -4)
Off Topic…
TRS, thanks for turning on phone access, only one issue that I saw last night. Comments are ordered by time entered which is fine except replies to other comments do not stay connected to the intended comment, they are all ordered by time.
rustyjr
8/18/2010-10:28am at 10:28 am (UTC -4)
yeah i find that frustrating also
saltygary
8/18/2010-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
On the old site replies were connected to the appropriate comment.
Thanks for looking into it, I actually look at the site more on my phone…
TRS86
8/18/2010-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
I can’t claim the reward for that one, that’s Mrose. However, I will ask about the reply feature. Was it like that on the old site using mobile? If not then maybe it’s a setting as we are using the same plugin.
fongy2
8/18/2010-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
Happy Birthday Pat Misch!
Mr North Jersey
8/18/2010-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
FONGY!
Dude about time I was wondering why you was so quiet for so long.
Welcome Back.