" Don't blame Sandy for the sins of Omar !"
Lately there has been alot of grumbling about the moves ( or lack there of) that Sandy Alderson has made since he was hired as the general manager of the Mets. Some people in the print as well as the broadcast media are questioning if Omar Minaya would be treated the same way that Sandy has been – which has been perceived as a free pass.
First lest get one thing straight, the Alderson regime is a total 180 degree turn from that of Omar’s. Omar was more of a reactionary type of general manager. He buckled to the whims of the ownership, who is turn were feeling the pressure of a angry fan base. Yes Omar made some great trades, but his forte was to sign one to two mid to high priced free agents and augment the rest of the roster with trash heap signings which every once in a while would turn up a gem ( Dickey).
But Omar – a man who the fans wanted to love and trust badly ended up screwing the pooch. He took a chance on a fading Luis Castillo and signed him to a awful four year 24 million dollar contract , and when Derek Lowe came off the market after spurning the Mets offer, Omar panicked and signed Oliver Perez to the Albatross of a contract.
I think that the turning point in Omar’s erosion of power was the afternoon that he was forced to dismiss his right hand man , Tony Bernazard after columnist, Adam Rubin exposed Bernazard’s tirades against a club house full of Mets minor league players. As we all know Omar would accuse Rubin of trying to undermine him and really bad moment in Mets history got even worse.
By last off seasonit was apparent that Omar was nothing more than a figure head for the organization. Most of the deals that were made last winter were for faded players and scrap heap pickups. The fan base got angry and the perception is that the Mets were forced to go out and sign Jason Bay .
So lets fast forward to today. Sandy Alderson is getting a lot of heat from the press and the lunatic fringe faction of the fan base. What they don’t understand is that Alderson has a plan in place and it will be followed to the letter. He is trying his best to import the best players available at the price they deem they can afford. The Mets payroll should be around the same number that it was at last season ( 140 million) . It is a hard number set by ownership – not Alderson. It is common knowledge that the ownership will always stop short of the luxury tax , and that’s their prerogative- it’s their money not ours. So Sandy will put together a team that will compete to win , with the goal of playing fundamentally sound baseball and hope for the best that they can be in the heat of the pennant race come September.
And for the people that are belly aching that Alderson said that just because 50 million dollars is coming off of the books at the end of next season doesn’t mean they will spend it all – that’s just good baseball. You need to have extra cash on hand come the July trade deadline – something the Metshaven’t had in quite some time.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Today a pair of Bells are celebrating a birthday :
Mets utility infielsder from the ’03 season , Jay Bell is 45(1965).
Mets outfielder from the ’00 season,Derek Bell is 42(1968). I think he’s the only Met who moored himself across from Shea Stadium.
New York Mets traded infielder, Felix Mantilla to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher, Tracy Stallard, third baseman, Pumpsie Green and second baseman, Al Moran on December 11, 1962.
In one of the better deals that happened on this day, New York Mets traded utility man, Ted Martinez to the St. Louis Cardinals for Mike Vail and utilty infielder, Jack Heidemann on December 11, 1974.
New York Mets released releiver, Bob Apodaca on December 11, 1979.He would later on become the Mets pitching coach.
New York Mets traded second baseman, Doug Flynn and pitcher, Danny Boitano to the Texas Rangers for pitcher, Jim Kern on December 11, 1981.
New York Mets traded shortstop, Frank Taveras to the Montreal Expos for minor league pitcher, Steve Ratzer on December 11, 1981.
In another head scratching trade , New York Mets traded troubled – yet potent outfielder, Kevin Mitchell, and outfield prospects,Stan Jefferson and Shawn Abner to the San Diego Padres for power hitting outfielder, Kevin McReynolds, pitcher, Gene Walter and minor league infielder, Adam Ging on December 11, 1986. Yes Big Mac had a couple of good years with us, but Kevin Mitchell went on to be a star caliber outfielder.
In one of the very trades between the two teams, The New York Mets traded shortstop, Rafael Santana and pitching prospect, Victor Garcia to the New York Yankees for outfielder, Darren Reed, catcher, Phil Lombardi and pitcher, Steve Frey on December 11, 1987.
New York Mets traded reserve infielder, Jeff Gardner to the San Diego Padres for pitcher, Steve Rosenberg on December 11, 1991.
The Mets struck out with two signings on this day when they signed free agent Steve Trachsel of the Toronto Blue Jays and Kevin Appier of the Oakland Athletics on December 11, 2000. I hated these two signings. I felt that the Mets had pulled the bait and switch routine when they signed these two after backing out of the Alex Rodriguez sweepstakes. I still cringe when I hear Trachsel’s name to this day !
New York Mets signed free agent outfielder, Tsuyoshi Shinjo on December 11, 2000. Mets fans loved Shinjo. He had the looks of a male model ( he had graced the covers of many Japanesse magazines), and he was very eclectic. Unfortunately he did not adapt well to major league pitching.
New York Mets traded reserve outfielder, Bubba Trammell to the San Diego Padres for reliever, Donnie Wall on December 11, 2000.
New York Mets traded Alex Escobar, Jerrod Riggan, Matt Lawton, Billy Traber and Earl Snyder to the Cleveland Indians for second baseman Roberto Alomar, reliever,Mike Bacsik and Danny Peoples on December 11, 2001.This trade was supposed to be a major trade for the Mets. The received All Star second baseman, Alomar who was supposed to solidify the middle infield after the departure of Edgardo Alfonzo. Unfortunately Alomar forgot that he was a major league baseball player and not a Hall of Fame Statue and he went on to tarnish he stellar career during his tenure with the Mets. The trade would end up being a wash for both teams.
Los Angeles Angels signed spot starter/ long reliever, Darren Oliver of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 11, 2006. I think that Oliver was one of the more subtle keys to the success of that “06 team.
New York Mets traded pitcher, Aaron Heilman, reserve outfielder, Endy Chavez, middle reliever, Joe Smith, pitcher, Jason Vargas and minor league prospects, Mike Carp, Ezequiel Carrera and Maikel Cleto to the Seattle Mariners for relievers, Sean Green and J. J. Putz and reserve outfielder, Jeremy Reed on December 11, 2008. It was a trade that looked great on paper at the time, but Reed spent most of the year in the minors, while Putz suffered through arm injuries and Green just plain stunk up the joint. None of the three players we acquired that day are still with the Mets today.
Mets drafted Darren O’Day from the Los Angeles Angels on December 11, 2008. O’Day pitched very well during his brief stint with the Mets in ’09. I still can’t understand why Omar put him through waivers. He is now a major part of the Rangers bullpen.
Chicago White Sox signed middle reliever, J. J. Putz of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 11, 2009. And the dream of having a Dickey and A Putz on the same team ended before it could begin !
Houston Astros signed reliever, Jon Switzer of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 11, 2009.
And while you are out raking the ton of leaves into one huge pile, just remember that there are just 111 days until the Mets open the 2011 season against the Florida Marlins in Miami and only 118 days until the Mets 2011 home opener against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
Mo Vaughn is upset that he wasn’t asked to be Santa Claus at the Mets Holiday Party at Citi Field on Tuesday.
29 comments
njstuckintx
12/11/2010-7:48am at 7:48 am (UTC -4)
My goodness on 2 parts.
1st part = A lot of moves this day in Mets history. You know, I liked the Appier signing, didn’t like the Traschel move. Thought the Alomar move was going to be awesome (oh so wrong was I). Loved the Endy & Heilman/JJ Putz trade. I hated the Kevin Mitchell trade. Santana to the Yankees(!?!?!)… you don’t see many of those inter-NY trades ever. & the Mets got a guy named Pumpsie… Just solid.
2nd part = it is so freaking cold up in Jersey. In just 3 years in TX i’ve become a wimp. These next 3 weeks of NJ bliss is going to increase the stock prices of thermal underwear companies, for sure! Good to be back in the land of Orange & Blue.
rustyjr
12/11/2010-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
Welcome back to the frigid north east lol
njstuckintx
12/11/2010-11:01pm at 11:01 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks holmes. Looking forward to Boomer and Carton, of all things.
stickguy
12/11/2010-11:07pm at 11:07 pm (UTC -4)
and decent pizza.
I was so excited today that the temp hit 40, I fired up the hose and washed and waxed the van.
even had to get the hose real from the back yard, since the one in the front appeared to have frozen up!
Guaranteed that when I can officially retire, if I don’t go FT south I will at minimum be a snowbird.
njstuckintx
12/11/2010-11:15pm at 11:15 pm (UTC -4)
Pizza, Bagels, dunkin donuts, Rubin Sandwichs… If only the cost of living wasn’t obscene.
oleosmirf
12/11/2010-10:28am at 10:28 am (UTC -4)
the Mets need a 4th OF (preferably a LHB) although given Pagan’s ability to play CF, the 4th OF only needs to play CF in emergencies. Here are some names I think we should consider (that will cost less than 1.25 mil)
Scott Hairston, Willy Harris, Rick Ankiel, Jim Edmonds, Travis Buck, Gabe Gross , Randy Winn, Fred Lewis. Hairston really makes the most sense…
Nickeas/Paulino, Eamus, Turner, Evans, Hairston isnt really a great bench but it does have some promise and some guys like Duda, Hernandez who can be called up should those guys fail.
metsfan4decades
12/11/2010-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
Willy Harris? I guess that’s preferable to seeing him kill rallies and make diving catches against the Mets. I don’t think he’s all that great but for whatever reason, every time the Mets played the Nats, he looked like Willie Mays instead of Harris out there….
oleosmirf
12/11/2010-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
i just threw names out there that are available and had more than a handful of AB last season. Scott Hairston really makes the most sense given the fact that he could theoretically step in everyday if/when one of our full time OF gets hurt.
metsfan4decades
12/11/2010-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t know about anyone else, but so far this offseason, I’ve got no problem with the ‘plan’. Still need some SP and a lefty out of the pen.
Trachsel…..was there ever a more maddening pitcher than him? Anytime he started a game, you didn’t have to worry about waiting until the commercial to step away a minute. You could walk the dog, come back and he’s still be on the same batter. I never thought he was all that great either, but somehow he managed to win like 10 games in a row in ’06 (guess it was all that run support).
fongy2
12/11/2010-1:34pm at 1:34 pm (UTC -4)
Thank you for making me laugh about Trachsel….Spot on!…
I’m in agreement about whatever plan Alderson is putting into effect
right now. Le’s face it, Omar came into a messy situation BUT with
ALOT of salary flexability and free reign to do whatever he wanted.
He left behind a mess….Plain and simple. Heavy salaries on ineffective, injured and untradable players and a fairly weak group
of young players/ minor leaguers. Also Sandy at least has a trck recorrd of experience and success. Omar had neither coming in.
Further, the guys Sandy has been surrounding himself with likewise
have experience and success. Omar’s top guys were simply his pals. I always thought it was funny that Mitch had the bad rep and
was moved out quickly BUT then it was Doc and Straw who would have all sorts of personal/drug problems AND in many ways ruin The Mets for most of the 90s, while Mitch would go on to be a Superstar for a few years.
kingman 26
12/11/2010-2:14pm at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
Since Ceetar mysteriously stopped posting after Ollie’s one good inning, here’s a recap courtesy of Metsblog:
“Last night, for Los Tomateros de Culiacan, Oliver Perez allowed six runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, taking the loss in a 15-8 defeat to Los Algodoneros de Guasave.
Perez’s ERA this winter is now 5.73, allowing 14 runs on 22 hits and 14 walks in 22 innings.”
darknova306
12/11/2010-2:52pm at 2:52 pm (UTC -4)
It’s hard to defend a sad joke of a ballplayer. Can’t wait for Ollie to be a reviled ex-Met instead of a reviled Met.
oleosmirf
12/11/2010-2:52pm at 2:52 pm (UTC -4)
but he has 17 strikeouts!!!!!!!!!!
metsfan4decades
12/11/2010-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
Same old Ollie – minus the plus 90 fb. Without the velocity on that fb, he’s done.
darknova306
12/11/2010-3:02pm at 3:02 pm (UTC -4)
Wow, quite the article today rusty. Well stated about Alderson catching ludicrous criticism. Don’t people understand that the demand for a high-priced FA every year is a contributing factor to how the front office is financially handcuffed right now?
And I’d actually say that Sandy HAS made some significant moves. By overhauling the scouting, player development, drafting, and minor league systems, he’s working toward building a team the right way instead of the Yankee way.
kingman 26
12/11/2010-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
I couldn’t agree more.
I have to say it is comments like this one from you that are what REALLY make TRDMB special—everywhere else you go, people are whining and bitching, where’s the moves, small market team, Wilpons hired Alderson to spend like the A’s, blah blah blah blah blah.
This community of commenters is seriously like a postgrad school Mensa gathering compared to talk radio and the comments almost everywhere else.
It’s refreshing to see.
metsfan4decades
12/11/2010-4:00pm at 4:00 pm (UTC -4)
I honestly don’t understand what some Met fans expect. Do they really think it’s in anyone’s best interest to just go out and get like Lee and Crawford – budget/luxury tax be damned?
DarkNova hit the nail on the head. Sandy isn’t just overhauling the team, he’s overhauling the franchise from top to bottom. Heck, even the conditioning trainer was given his walking papers. Taking their time to hire the coaching staff is another sign – IMO – that they’re serious about getting the best qualified for whatever position they’re hiring for.
I’m excited to see where this takes us in the next few years.
rustyjr
12/11/2010-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
exactly my point !! yes I was disheartened by the lack of moves last season with the exception of Jason Bay – no offense to him – but the old regime was wat to reactionary, they didn’t see the smoke through the trees and they almost dug us into a hole that was unescapable
metsfan4decades
12/11/2010-5:28pm at 5:28 pm (UTC -4)
Someone ought to explain that to Heyman then. He’s got Alderson and the Mets on his list of losers at the Gm meetings….
kingman 26
12/11/2010-5:53pm at 5:53 pm (UTC -4)
I am quite sure Alderson has Heyman on HIS list of losers!
darknova306
12/11/2010-10:36pm at 10:36 pm (UTC -4)
What exactly was Heyman expecting the team to do at those meetings? How is ‘working within your budget and long-term team development plans’ being a loser? It’s just more useless drivel from worthless writers trying to incite anger from a fanbase so their crappy sites/blogs/whatevers can get traffic. Meh.
darknova306
12/11/2010-10:39pm at 10:39 pm (UTC -4)
Exactly! Alderson is taking the long-term semi-rebuilding approach that a lot of fans have claimed to want for years, but now that it’s happening they all whine about it. Sports fans really are an odd bunch…
stickguy
12/11/2010-10:52pm at 10:52 pm (UTC -4)
it’s not even really rebuilding, as much as waiting to have enough available payroll $s to spend on more players to replace the expensive ones leaving. While of course trying to develop as much in house talent to trade or blend onto the roster.
IOW, pretty much what any GM will try to do (except for the real cheap teams, that consider big dollar to be 2nd year of arbitration.)
darknova306
12/11/2010-11:13pm at 11:13 pm (UTC -4)
You’re right, rebuilding is the wrong word there. He’s taking a cautious, long-term, ‘non-Omar’ approach to the team. Restructuring the organization so it’s full of guys that will do a good job instead of just getting his friends jobs, focusing on player development, looking to sign guys for what he feels they’re worth, not what the over-inflated market dictates.
Of course I’m really curious what Sandy will do next off-season when he’s got a whole bunch of money to play with. Will he go Omar and try to spend it all on all the top FA names he can, or will he do everything he can to build a complete team? Should be very interesting (and will depend on what we see from all the young guys and recently injured guys this season).
stickguy
12/11/2010-11:22pm at 11:22 pm (UTC -4)
certainly the fixing of the organization is a big part of his mission. But I don’t think that is too much of why they aren’t spending.
even if Omar was still in charge, I doubt they would be spending anything significant.
Like I said before, IMO, Omar knew he was on his absolute last chance before 2010, and he went all in with Bay and maxing out payroll, knowing damned well it blew the spending budget for 2011. He pretty much built a 2 year team (with just tweaking at the margins), with a full remodel scheduled for post-2011.
nest year, maybe 1 top name guy, but more likely spread around to fill multiple needs,with some in reserve for an in season deal.
after that I think he wants at least 1 big $ deal expiring each year. after 2011, a bunch. after 2012, K rod (assuming option vests, otherwise only DW if they let him go). Bay after 2013 (unless option vests) and of course Johan.
by post-2014, who the hell knows, since some of those may not have signed yet!
oleosmirf
12/11/2010-11:36pm at 11:36 pm (UTC -4)
after resigning Reyes and a #2 SP to fill in after Johan, I dont think there is a need for any more big name players. If you figure 30 mil total for Reyes and a top flight SP then you really only need 5-10 mil or so to add some bullpen pieces, good bench players and depth so I see exactly why Sandy says he wont spend all of that 60 million
stickguy
12/11/2010-11:40pm at 11:40 pm (UTC -4)
well, the team will be a lot better if they can convert the dead $18 mill wasted on slappy and ollie into 1 star guy worth that much money, or 2 guys worth 9 each!
stickguy
12/11/2010-11:45pm at 11:45 pm (UTC -4)
more on that:
Unlike most teams that are replacing former good players with new good players, which while it looks exciting can be a net wash to the team, the mets will effectively be increasing the roster talent by 18mill (since ollie and slappy are zero talent, it is like adding to the payroll).
look at the red sox. Yes, they got a couple of good players, and they spent money. But, they also lost V Mart and Beltre, two pretty big bats from last year.
so the sox aren’t actually adding A gon and CC to last years team. they are adding the incremental production of those 2 over the guys they are replacing in the lineup.
ditto for the nats with werth over dunn.
stickguy
12/11/2010-11:31pm at 11:31 pm (UTC -4)
just to prove that I did not fill up on Sandy Kool-aid, while i did not expect any notable FA signings, I was expecting some interesting trades to address holes for 2011 (without hurting the future beyond that).
Of course, there is still time. and given the major glaring hole for SP (I say 2 no matter what Sandy thinks, plus depth) , still quite possible it does happen. Or of course they could try to find a 2B, or whatever else they might not like on the current roster.
and always the slim chance of a Beltran trade, and much slimmer that reyes goes (and if you trade Jose, better trade Carlos too).