I’ve been floating on air since Sandy Alderson has been hired. There’s a bounce in my step and for the first time in a while, I’m actually looking forward to the Hot Stove. I was trying to put my finger on it-y’know, what I’ve been feeling and I think I got it.
Optimism and confidence.
I feel positive about the Mets. Like now I know that there finally going somewhere. And there is something ironic about that feeling because the last time I actually felt it was 6 years ago. It was when Omar Minaya was brought in to replace Jim Duquette. I remember like it was yesterday. The bad Zambrano trade, the disappointing second half of the 2004 season(71-91) and a future that seemed so bleak that a playoff game seemed like a light year away. Along came Omar with this positive vibe and optimism. With him came this other feeling that now the Mets were going to be players again- and they were.
Now I feel the same way with Sandy.
Our own Rusty reminded us this week that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, but at least now I get to see the bricks being layed down for something big. And unlike the past, now it looks like these bricks are going to resemble something like a solid future.
I know Alderson is no mircle worker. I’m not expecting the Mets to be in the playoffs next year.
But now I know that they have direction. They have the man with the plan.
It just might be enough to make renew my season ticket plan.
29 comments
njstuckintx
11/1/2010-9:15am at 9:15 am (UTC -4)
Nothing to argue with on the above.
njstuckintx
11/1/2010-9:56am at 9:56 am (UTC -4)
Well, this optimism shall get some testing shortly. Friday is the deadline for Taka. Not sure when the option is required to be picked up on Reyes. Would assume we see the Mets signing a new manager by middle of next week (ideally sooner) and probably 1-2 assistants are brought on this week. All those rumors of Depodesta and JP help to increase Gonzo’s above listed optimism.
oleosmirf
11/1/2010-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
im looking forward to see what he does this offseason. although i have only his introductary press conference and interviews to go by, i have a feeling guys that he will not rush the young players like Omar did.
I am hoping he is able to fix the mess Omar did to F-Mart and hopefully putting him in A+ or AA will get him the confidence to start producing at a level that matches his hype. I also get the feeling that Tejada and Mejia will not be in the opening day plans…
stickguy
11/1/2010-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
I agree that all 3 need to be in the minors, but have no problem with F Mart repeating AAA.
oleosmirf
11/1/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
the thing is he hasn’t been good in AAA. his plate discipline is horrible
stickguy
11/1/2010-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
not going to be any better in AA.
njstuckintx
11/1/2010-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
That doesn’t sound like a founding member of the “Float O’ Optimism”, does it?
TRS86
11/1/2010-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
I think his point is that it is not likely that he goes down to AA and works on his OBP. It will either start to click or it will not. Not sure the level will make a difference.
stickguy
11/1/2010-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
what he said.
oleosmirf
11/1/2010-2:54pm at 2:54 pm (UTC -4)
i think what F-Mart needs is to dominate at one level something he has never done even in low class A. moving him to St. Lucie or Binghamton and getting him away from the AAAA pitchers should help him.
its amazing how after batting under .200 in 30 games as a 17 year old in St Lucie, they decided it was best to move him up to AA!!!
TRS86
11/1/2010-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
It’s so hard to tell with Fmart really anything until he is healthy for a period of time. We do know that for 2009 he was doing this: .290 .337 .540 .877 in AAA before being called up and getting injured. While certainly not top level, not bad for a 20 year old in AAA.
The only full month he had this season produced the following: .314 .516 .830
So while his OBP is not great he is showing a ton of power potential for a 21 year old in AAA.
Prismo
11/1/2010-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
It’s very quiet here so far today…what gives? New manager coming in the next 2-3 weeks and a new GM.
metsfan4decades
11/1/2010-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
I certainly feel more optimistic than I have since the 2007 season started.
I thought Reyes option had to be picked up by yesterday. I must be wrong on that because I haven’t seen a thing on it.
njstuckintx
11/1/2010-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I’ve been wondering on that as well.
Prismo
11/1/2010-10:28am at 10:28 am (UTC -4)
MLBTR said option deadlines are typically 3 days after the World Series ends.
stickguy
11/1/2010-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
that was only takagoomey. Specially picked date for him.
metsfan4decades
11/1/2010-10:57am at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
I knew about Taka’s original 31 Oct deadline and then his extension by a week.
I also thought though that Reyes’ option had to be picked up by the 31st as well. Like I said, I’m probably wrong on that as I’ve seen nothing on it.
stickguy
11/1/2010-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
normally nothing ever has to be done until sometime after the WS ends.
stickguy
11/1/2010-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
hopefully they get the manager taken care of soon, so we can move into the “real” off season. Which sadly (after Taka, reyes, and the arb offers are taken care of) is likely to be boring for the next 6-8 weeks, until trades start dropping.
I wonder though if this year the name brand FAs (hell, there are only 3, and 1 pitcher) sign quicker? I hated when Boras in particular tried to drag out signings until as late as possible, so the entire FA pool got stuck in the mud. Lee won’t have that many serious suiters once the first couple big spenders drop an offer, so might as well sign quick.
So unless Werth and Crawford decide to play chicken to see who signs firtst, no real reason for the off season to drag on this year.
metsfan4decades
11/1/2010-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
Boras being Boras I’m sure that isn’t likely to change.
stickguy
11/1/2010-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
I guess it depends on who he controls. Of the 3, I am not sure who belongs to him.
Prismo
11/1/2010-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
Of the 3, only Werth is Boras.
stickguy
11/1/2010-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
I am also glad that some others are boarding the optimism bandwagon. Welcome aboard, plenty of good seats still available!
And Gonzo pointed out something interesting in his piece, related to how fast teams (perceptions and records) can channge.
after 2004, the Mets had a lousy record, and were considered with some measure of scorn, disinterest, or pity.
2 years later, they were the best team in the NL (if not MLB) (at least until game 7 of the NLCS of course), wildly popular, on the cover of SI, etc. A veritable dynasty in the making.
so no, I am not writing off 2011, 2012, or the next decade like some people elsewhere already have!
TRS86
11/1/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah looking back at our history there are tons of drastic improvements year to year with not many changes or no headliners made.
stickguy
11/1/2010-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
sometimes the changes or headliners are guys that are already on the team.
If Bay rebounds to a “normal” bay year, it is like getting a new high-end player. If Beltran can be helathy(ish) to start the sason and play more like he did in September, ditto.
even Reyes, if he does not miss a big chunk of time and goes back to his pre-2010 OBP< another big change.
It is still pretty impressive I guess that the team was actually 48-40 in mid-July. Even just maintaining that pace would have put them at about 88 wins. Hence why I don't think hitting 90 is totally far fetched.
oleosmirf
11/1/2010-3:14pm at 3:14 pm (UTC -4)
except we had RA Dickey coming off the scrap and pitching like a Cy Young winner and now we don’t have Santana for god knows how long.
kistics
11/1/2010-3:58pm at 3:58 pm (UTC -4)
Reyes OBP this season is a bit of a concern. It’s 30+ points lower than the previous 4 seasons. Hope he bounces back next season.
kistics
11/1/2010-4:34pm at 4:34 pm (UTC -4)
On a related note, how soon do you all expect this team to turn things around? By turning things around, I mean winning consistently year in and year out. Like the Bravos of the 90s, Yankees, Angels, Twins, Cards, RedSox, etc. They’ve all made post seasons on regular basis for long periods of time. Compared to the teams listed above, the Mets do not lack resources for sure. The owners want to win on regular basis as well (though some will disagree). And mostly the fans are just as passionate if not more.
I know the Mets are not the Yankees. They don’t have the name recognition, brand value that the Yankees have. But I really believe they can be more than the ‘little brother’ or the ‘ugly sister’ of the Yankees. Given the resources they have in NY with a passionate fan base, I really believe the Mets brand name can be in the same category as the Yankees, Lakers, Manchester United, Cowboys, etc… So… Sandy, let’s get it done!!
No pressure…
stickguy
11/1/2010-7:51pm at 7:51 pm (UTC -4)
starting with 2011. how about that?
Actually, i would say that however long it take to get the team straightened out and they have a winning year they will continue to crank them out most years after that.