" He is truly the best man for the job !!"
In Perez’ case, he is no longer competing for a starting job, but I think left-handed relief is a very legitimate possibility for him,” Alderson said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
Sandy Alderson on Oliver Perez
Trust me I was taken aback when I read that quote also. But let us put things in perspective here. Sandy cannot allow himself to tip his hand over here. He has to take into account that by the time from this moment until the Mets break camp, many things can happen with the bullpen. What if one of the sure thing pitchers such as D.J Carrasco were to pull up lame before the season was about to start and none of the other bullpen candidates had a acquitted themselves as the guy to assume his place ? Well I personally don’t want Ollie to be the guy to be slotted in, but I think Sandy is right not to speak about him in a negative light – that is just counterproductive.
To be a General Manager you have to straddle the line of being both a diplomat and a liar. You can give a general outline of your plan, but you never want to give specifics. There is a lot of subterfuge that goes on behind the scenes also and I don’t care if you are Frank Cashen, Theo Epstein , Omar Minaya or Lucifer himself – a general manager will never be 1000% honest because to give total disclosure is a sign of weakness.
When the Mets signed Alderson this off season we knew we were getting a man who is highly respected and has been to the big dance before. He knows his way around a major league roster, and is not afraid to eat bloated contracts that were tendered to equally bloated players by the regime before him. We may not see the post season this year or the next, but remember it took Cashen four years to straighten out the mess that was left for him when he assumed control back in 1980.
So take heart my fellow followers of the orange and blue, I am more than confinant when I say that I fully believe – as well as expect that Oliver Perez will be gone before Opening Day on April 1st. Now if I could only be this confident about Luis Castillo !!!
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets Alumni Celebrating a birthday today includes:
Reserve catcher from’99-’04, Vance Wilson is 38 (1973).
The New York Mets signed free agent reserve outfielder, Jerry Martin of the Kansas City Royals on March 17, 1984.
The New York Mets traded pitchers, Pete Walker and Luis Arroyo to the San Diego Padres for reserve first baseman, Roberto Petagine and minor league pitcher, Scott Adair on March 17, 1996.
The New York Mets signed free agent outfielder, Timo Perez on March 17, 2000. Timo was the ultimate Cinderella story , he came out of nowhere to help the Mets make their first World Series in 14 years. Too bad he probably cost the Mets their first World Series ring when he was thrown out at the plate after thinking that Todd Zeile hit a home run.
The New York Mets released fine Irishman and Jack of All Trades, Joe McEwing on March 17, 2005.
The Cleveland Indians claimed reserve infielder, Anderson Hernandez of the New York Mets on waivers on March 17, 2010. Hernandez is the epitome of a AAAA player, he could rake against triple A pitching, but he was more miss than hit during his duration with the Mets.
And while you clelebrate St Paddy’s Day today there are three things you should remember.
First – Don’t drink and drive … You might hit a bump and spill your drink !!
Second There are just 15 Jerry Grote Days left until the Mets open the 2011 season against the Florida Marlins in Miami.
And lastly, there are only 22 days until the Mets 2011 home opener against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
Mo Vaughn will be the only 6’5 400lb drunken Leprechaun at the parade today !!
47 comments
kingman 26
3/17/2011-8:47am at 8:47 am (UTC -4)
“To be a General Manager you have to straddle the line of being both a diplomat and a liar.”
GREAT comment and great paragraph.
What’s he supposed to say?
“Gee, I agree that Ollie sucks.”
“Well, I would have released him but Jeff won’t let me.”
“Who cares what the fans want?”
“I think Ollie is going to have his best season.”
The parasites are always nipping at his heels every time he shows his face in public, looking for something controversial to write/blog/tweet/utter, and as Sandy so beautifully showed yesterday regarding the lies and nonsense written about Johan, he fully understands the nature of today’s sports reporters. As do the players. As do most fans.
GREAT job Rusty.
But I still think Dave Kingman deserved a much higher place on your personal top 50 dammit!
rustyjr
3/17/2011-9:29am at 9:29 am (UTC -4)
Publish your own list sky king lol thanks for the accolades – I’m just trying to bring a little bit of sanity back to a insame fan base
stickguy
3/17/2011-10:27am at 10:27 am (UTC -4)
A couple of the regulars at MMO have gone so over the edge about “saber sandy” that at this pint, I think they must be doing it just for shock value. It is scary to think any person could be that unhinged and irrational!
kingman 26
3/17/2011-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
Actually, to me, it is scary that people who are hinged and rational visit MMO regularly!
njstuckintx
3/17/2011-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
at this pint? it is st. patty’s day.
hazmet
3/17/2011-6:40pm at 6:40 pm (UTC -4)
“Gee, I agree that Ollie sucks”
I had no idea Dillon had such strong feelings about him. Another reason to like the kid.
Surely, I gest – I do like how Dillon’s name can be read into things.
metsfan4decades
3/17/2011-8:54am at 8:54 am (UTC -4)
I agree it’s not wise for any GM to show his hand, especially in the media. I believe Sandy does a fair job of trying to keep the fans informed without spilling plans to the media before they’re ready for said plans to be revealed.
I can be patient on the news of impending releases – especially for Perez. I’m sorry but there is no way he should be considered for one of the lefties out of the BP. High walk rate, low velocity on his FB, takes forever to warm up. How can he possibly be considered as a serious candidate?
kingman 26
3/17/2011-9:24am at 9:24 am (UTC -4)
Well, it would take all day, but I can cite approximately 12 million reasons….
kistics
3/17/2011-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
Why do I even bother with these idiots at MC blog…
TRS86
3/17/2011-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
Because it’s like a cat playing with a retarded mouse?
kingman 26
3/17/2011-10:09am at 10:09 am (UTC -4)
LOL!!!!!!!!!!
OMG, that is even better than you comment a few years ago that it’s because “sometimes it’s fun to toy with idiots.”
And you have said you don’t have much of a sense of humor…I say baloney!
Oh man, that’s funny.
mrose
3/17/2011-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
this is comment of the year lol
metsfan4decades
3/17/2011-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
LOL.
kingman 26
3/17/2011-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
That, my friend, is perhaps the most outstanding question I have heard in a very, very long time.
My answer?
That you are nice and think it would be a charitable thing to do to raise the average IQ there by about 22% every time you log in…..
TRS86
3/17/2011-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
Really as an educator, isn’t it my creed to stomp out ignorance in all paths of life?
kingman 26
3/17/2011-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
YES!
You are on a serious roll this morning; please keep it up.
stickguy
3/17/2011-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
I used to think I was trying to stem the tide of ignorance, and show the confused people a rational path to enlightenment.
Now I just do it when I am bored.
It is interesting, however, as a way to keep some sort of finger on the pulse of the lunatic fringe.
TRS86
3/17/2011-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
Very true. You do not realize the impact beat writers have on the average blog reader until you read MB comment section. So many there believe things word for word.
TRS86
3/17/2011-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
OK I don’t mean to start the media debate again, ok maybe I do, but this is what I am talking about. Almost every site is now running with this idea of a disconnect between TC and SA on 2B. However, we have NO proof, NONE, that there is even a disagreement. Surely they may disagree on who is the best option and they are still deciding. WOW, damn them. However, we have no legitimate proof that TC wants Luis Hernandez to start at 2B. NONE. Yet for some reason it’s a given because some beat writer made an assumption. Yes I know they sometimes can’t help what the readers run with. However, this is a classic example of how the media makes a story out of something that may not even be there. Rubin prints a potentially baseless story on Collins not liking Castillo, Puma publishes a story on how Collins will name LH starting 2B. Then another writer publishes how Luis Hernandez is a long shot at 2B. BOOOOOM, instant controversy, indecision and disconnect. Thanks for playing.
kingman 26
3/17/2011-10:15am at 10:15 am (UTC -4)
It’s not really a debate.
Not every idea has an equally valid argument on each side.
Have you checked out Luis Hernandez’s career? In the majors AND the minors? He’s barely played any 2B, and he sucks offensively. Are the Mets auditioning him because they are trying to trade Reyes now? THAT would at least make a shred of sense.
mrose
3/17/2011-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
You do have to wonder if the things that you talk about here are a reason why the Mets have been good to this and other blogs… Blogs are not likely to take a lack of facts and run with it, especially in a derogatory fashion.
I dunno, its just silly how they NEED to hit a quota and therefore write or say some dumb stuff. Hey, we here, or any blog may LIKE to have 3-4 or so posts a day, and maybe some of that is opinion which fuels great debate, but it isn’t the crap that beat writers post.
stickguy
3/17/2011-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
Good point. Too bad the writers just can’t put out a post along the lines of “nothing new today. Check back tomorrow”
And real, it is not just Met writers. Seems to be the nature of the digital media today, way too many sources for instant “news”. So, a rumor gets blown up and warped into “fact” almost instantly. Like a game of telephone gone viral!
someone famous said (paraphrasing): “if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth”.
Now as to the beat guys, fine if they want to report rumor/conjecture/their best guess, just as long as they state clearly up front that is what they are doing! I actually like reading much of their silliness, I just take it all with a huge grain of salt. I do, however, see you POV that sometimes they try to spin the conjecture (often through the title) to make it seem more “real”.
kingman 26
3/17/2011-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
“if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth.”
Often credited to Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi Minister of Propaganda in Hitler’s Germany.
The guiding principal of most of today’s American major media and politicians.
gategem
3/17/2011-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
Actually it was someone (I can’t offhand remember the name) in the Woodrow Wilson Administration that Joseph Goebbels studied. But be that as it may we tend to forget that Sports columnists and beat writers aren’t reporting on the team for fun and it is not a hobby or obsession with them. They feed their family with their reports and if they don’t have something new and interesting every day they run the risk of losing their job and perhaps their career. It reminds me of an old time comic strip, Li’l Abner, where he loved to sleep but when he was employed testing mattresses by sleeping on them he hated it because now it was his job. So a reporter may have entered the field of sports journalism becauseof a love of sports but when it becomes your occupation the pressures rise and some of the love disappears.
kingman 26
3/17/2011-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
Ah Gategem, as always, your wisdom enlightens us and brightens the site as much as your sunny avatar!
And regarding the sportswriter comments, we can take the Nazi analogies one step further—at Nuremberg the principal of just “following orders” or just doing one’s job was not always an acceptable excuse for one’s actions, and may I opine that the same concept should apply to the sportswriters sitting in the sun and creating stories where none might actually exist!
stickguy
3/17/2011-10:36am at 10:36 am (UTC -4)
“being both a diplomat and a liar”
so you mean he is really a politician?
Mr North Jersey
3/17/2011-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
Good post Rusty. Your description of how a GM must walk the fine line on what he says and why was well done in my opinion.
saltygary
3/17/2011-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
Mets ruled by finances
By Joe Janish Via ESPN
Two years ago Johan Santana, Francisco Rodriguez, and Carlos Beltran were considered three-fifths of the New York Mets’ “core” — the vital keys to the New York Mets’ success on the field. In an ironic twist, those three players remain “core” components of the team’s financial fate.
Yes, if all three were 100 percent healthy, they’d still be valuable performers on the field. But injuries and extenuating circumstances have changed management’s view of this trio, and finances dominate the decisions related to these players.
It’s no secret that the Mets are in a financial crisis; a $25 million loan from MLB was confirmed by the Wilpon family, who have also publicly offered a piece of the club for sale. Compounding their economic woes are the impending billion-dollar lawsuit filed by Irving Picard and the team’s waning ticket sales. How can the family keep the team afloat without selling out?
Increased revenues and decreased expenses would help — i.e., ticket sales and salary shedding. And this is where Santana, Rodriguez and Beltran figure prominently.
Santana is coming off major shoulder surgery. Typically, when a pitcher has shoulder repair, the procedure is limited to arthroscopy — usually, debridement or “clean up” of scar tissue around the labrum and rotator cuff — and results in about nine months to a year of recovery time. However, Santana’s injury required an invasive procedure — a full incision. Generally speaking, this type of surgery extends the rehab process significantly; for comparison, it is similar to what was done to Chien-Ming Wang and Mark Prior.
Yet Mets management has said from Day 1 that Santana will return by midseason — an optimistic expectation if last September’s surgery was a simple ‘scope. But the Mets’ postseason hopes rest heavily on the healthy shoulders of Santana. No Santana means no chance of the playoffs, which in turn means fewer fans are purchasing season-ticket packages.
Spinning the story to keep hopes alive is understandable — and perhaps acceptable — but becomes irresponsible when “spin” evolves into altered reality. This past week, a NJ newspaper suggested that Santana might miss the entire season — a charge the team and Santana vehemently denied. Maybe Santana will come back in 2011 — but will it be because it makes sense for the pitcher’s health, or because the team needs to sell tickets? Santana’s fierce competitive spirit will motivate him to get back on the mound perhaps earlier than is safe. It’s a situation that happens regularly with world-class athletes on the mend: their will to compete clouds their judgment, they return too early, and inevitably suffer a setback (or worse). In these cases, outside forces with cooler heads must prevail — i.e., doctors and team management. But will the Mets be “cool” enough to make the right decisions in Santana’s rehab? With over $70 million committed to him over the next three years, one would think they’d be careful with their ace’s recovery. They might “lose” their money on him this year, but it would be to ensure they’d recoup their investment over the final two years. But the Wilpons aren’t looking long-term right now; they’re looking to survive from month to month.
Similarly, there is the case of Carlos Beltran, who had three at-bats as a designated hitter on March 6 and hasn’t been back since because of ailing knees. Yet the team has insinuated that he’ll be ready to go on Opening Day — an unrealistic assumption even if the team played in the AL and used him in a DH role. But again, the team needs to broadcast optimism and to sell tickets.
Further, Beltran is in the final year of his contract, earning $18.5 million. If the team is not looking at the long-term view with Santana, will they make responsible decisions with Beltran? One would surmise that they’ll do everything possible to keep Beltran on the field — even if it’s damaging. Beltran has his own motivation as well — he’s playing for a new contract.
In contrast, the Mets will do everything in their power to keep Francisco Rodriguez off the field. Rodriguez has a $17.5 million option for 2012 that automatically vests when he finishes his 55th ballgame (he has reached that milestone five of the past six years). Manager Terry Collins has already suggested that Rodriguez might be used in “high-leverage situations” before the ninth inning — a concept fully endorsed by the SABR-focused Mets front office. But if Collins follows through with that plan, and it keeps Rodriguez from finishing 55 games, will the true motivation be because of belief in the data, or avoidance of the option? Either way, the MLBPA will be watching the situation closely.
Considering their current financial state, the Mets need to sell tickets immediately and foster the fantasy that the team will play “meaningful games” in September. Toward that end, Beltran will limp out to right field, perhaps when he shouldn’t, and Santana might push himself to return more quickly than he should. Meanwhile, Rodriguez could be utilized in a way he’s never been used before. We understand that MLB teams need to turn a profit, but in this case, financial desperation might be governing decisions more than they should. Is that a healthy way to operate?
Joe Janish writes for Mets Today, which is part of the SweetSpot network.
saltygary
3/17/2011-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
For Santana I hope to God he is not pushed in anyway this season and that the are able to keep him reeled in. For KROD find a way to limit his appearances without getting sued by the MLBPA. The MLBPA is going to be all over this contract.
kingman 26
3/17/2011-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
Gary my friend, what Joe Janish has to say registers a few notches below what any writer on this site has to say.
Beltran? There ain’t NO chance he is going to play one inning until and unless he knows he is 100%; his contract is up after this year.
KRod? How in the world does Collins’ statement on using him before the 9th have anything to do with the contract option not vesting? If anything, this will mean MORE use, as he might be pitching 4-6 out saves, not necessarily coming in in the 8th to face a batter or two then turning the game over to Parnell or Iggy.
He asks: “Is that a healthy way to operate?”
No, of course not.
Is there any evidence whatsoever that they are operating or intend to operate this way?
Or is this ANOTHER mediocrity creating reasons to bash the Mets?
saltygary
3/17/2011-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
It’s way more of the level-headed article of letting the people decide then that NY Post crap.
In the end money is going to drive decision making for the Mets and for Beltran. Beltran wants another contract and the Wilpons want to keep their team. So I think the writer is suggesting the fans to look at certain decisions more closely because the primary driver will be money especially for this season.
kingman 26
3/17/2011-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
I admit it–I am biased against most of these guys.
Beltran will do what is best for him first and only; that is how I see his attitude towards 2011.
Carlos Beltran is going to start the season playing when he should be on the DL and risk serious injury to help the Wilpons’ financial situation?
Laughable.
saltygary
3/17/2011-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
Also Krod’s contact is about games finished not appearances:
100 games finished in 2010 and 2011 combined or 55 games finished in ’11
kingman 26
3/17/2011-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, I know….I just think that suggesting he will be used in the 8th is not really a reason to suggest that they will limit his games finished; I think it just could mean he will pitch more innings…i.e., he will come in with 1 or 2 outs in the 8th and finish the game.
TRS86
3/17/2011-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
I still don’t see how they will have much of a case. We have decided that considering we will no longer have Krod next year we will begin to develop a replacement. Due to that Krod and Parnell will be sharing closing duties.
Defend that.
saltygary
3/17/2011-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
I would side with that statement with any group except the MLBPA. They have such a stranglehold on the MLB that they usually get their way.
njstuckintx
3/17/2011-12:50pm at 12:50 pm (UTC -4)
Enter OJ Simpsons Legal team. If the Baseball mitt does not fit, you must acquit.
Seriously, though, if he gets close, you can bet your bottom dollar there will be crazy legal actions going on. Would probably be cheaper just to pay the dude his 17.5 million.
kistics
3/17/2011-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
Given the Mets financial situations, it would be a tough sell to whomever that is listening. Especially if Parnell doesn’t pan out well.
wannybackstra
3/17/2011-10:57pm at 10:57 pm (UTC -4)
if he’s used as he’s expected to be used then the mets don’t have the opportunity to decide whether he will be back next season.
anyway, bobby parnell stinks. and once that is clear to everyone else it will be an obvious sham.
stickguy
3/17/2011-11:30pm at 11:30 pm (UTC -4)
Izzy is a total wildcard, but right now, I would plug buccholz in as the set up man.
If he is really back, and Izzy survives (a complete shock),that shunts Parnell back to a mid-innings guy for spot usage,where he could be fine..
kistics
3/17/2011-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
He is talking as if the Mets are the only team that cares about team’s finances.
Also, I honestly do not believe that Johan or Beltran would refuse to be on the field IF they don’t feel that they are healthy and compete, especially for Johan. There’s no incentive for him to rush things. He’s not dumb and would just pitch just because the team wants to. Sure there’s the competitive juice in Johan and wants to come back early. But is he THAT stupid to throw away his career just because the Mets demand him? I don’t think so.
And for Beltran. I know this will sound cold, but really. Who cares if he plays hurt this season? The Mets don’t care because that will put butts on the seat. And Beltran would want to put up big numbers to get the big contract. So are the Mets the ONLY party here at fault?
njstuckintx
3/17/2011-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
i think beltran will want to play hurt. no way he gets another contract of any substance unless he can prove he’s not brittle and broken down.
kistics
3/17/2011-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. So who is to blame if he’s out there playing hurt?
njstuckintx
3/17/2011-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
Obviously Madoff. Sometimes, things are as they are, no “blame” to put on anyone.
Baseball can’t start fast enough.
kistics
3/17/2011-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
Yup. And yet if Beltran plays hurt, it’s ONLY because the Mets want to put more butts in the seat.
stickguy
3/17/2011-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
Or it is ONLY because he wants to prove to other teams he can still play, in order to get another contract.
People aren’t rushing out to buy tickets just because Beltran is stumbling around in RF.
stickguy
3/17/2011-2:09pm at 2:09 pm (UTC -4)
most teams make decisions based on (or at least considering) financial ramifications too. Not new, and not just the Mets.
To me, the only one of those 3 that you could really say would be driven by $ (not Bb) reasons is K Rod, if they aren’t using there closer when he is the best option, just to keep down appearances.
I really don’t see Johan or Beltran playing when they shouldn’t as making the Mets any more money. And in Johans case, he wouldn’t do it, and if anything, hurting his recovery costs them money for the next 3 years!
Beltran? He will look to come back. No way is he taking off 2011, to rest up. If he does, what team possibly would offer him a contract? So, if anything, He will push to come back, and the team might resist (wanting to get something out of him).
This is the year where Beltran will crawl out onto the field if he has to, and play through any amount of pain. Now next year, he probably rests if some team is stupid enough to give him multiple years!