" Is this the future of Citi Field ?" ( picture by Ed Leyro)
Tom Seaver….
Darryl Strawberry….
Mike Hampton….
What do these three players have in common ?
If you had guessed that the three of them were quite proficient with a bat you are partially correct. If you had said these are three players that the Mets let get away, you get a gold star !
But try your best to remember what happened after the Mets let these three high caliber players go. Do you remember the losing ? Do you remember a empty Shea Stadium ? Do you remember the war of words between the former players and the Mets ? Do you remember the damage control by the Mets after these devastating bombs were dropped ?
When Seaver was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, we received four top flight prospects in return. All four played with the Mets in one capacity or another, three of them have become beloved in Mets lore ( Zachry, Henderson and Flynn). But none of these players – individually – or as a whole could replace the leadership or productivity that Tom Seaver brought to this franchise.
As we know, Strawberry bolted the Mets for the Los Angeles Dodgers after a ugly ’89 season . It wasn’t ugly in terms of Strawberry’s numbers . He had one of his finest years. The Mets just balked on his contract demands, essentially low balling Straw, which forced him out of Flushing. I can’t say I remember who the Mets got as compensation for him in the ’90 draft, but I think it is safe to say that whoever it was never made an impact with the Mets.
Mike Hampton was the key to the ’00 season. Yes he came across as an aloof player. Yes he didn’t have one of his best seasons with the Mets. Yet he was the glue that held together the Mets rotation, essentially he helped the Mets into the World Series for the first time since ’86. When he was traded from the Astros to the Mets after the ’99 season for Roger Cedeno and Octavio Dotel, Hampton made it well known that he desired a contract extension. The then General Manger of the Mets, Steve Phillips, tendered him a low ball offer, which Hampton rejected outright, and contract talks were suspended until the off season.
After the Mets lost the World Series to the Yanks in five games, Phillips offered Hampton the same contract offer. Hampton turned it down and bolted to the Colorado Rockies for more pay and ” a better school system for his children”.
The Mets did get a good rookie prospect for him in the ’01 draft – David Wright- but we know in this case David is the exception – not the Norm !
The fact of the matter here is we can’t predict what the future will hold for the Mets if they trade Jose Reyes – or if they are either unable ( or unwilling) to meet his contract demands. Sandy Alderson really is caught between the proverbial rock and hard place here.
Let’s just hope against hope that this time next season Jose is sliding into third after legging out a triple – IN A METS UNIFORM !!!!
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !! !!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes :
The first General Manager in Mets history, George Weiss would have been 106 today (1895). George was the brain trust behind many of the dominant Yankees teams from the ’40′s and 50′s. He had enough foresight to litter the original Mets roster with aging starts in order to fill the ballpark with fans. He has a reputation for being frugal, but unfortunately there were allegations that he was a racist because the Yankees did not have a black player until 1955 – when Elston Howard made his Major League debut.
Emergency starter from the ’94 season, Juan Castillo is 41 (1970).
Sadly on this date in 1994, the legendary Mets first baseman from the early ’60′s, Marv Throneberry passed away. He was a profile in futility, but years later you could still see banners at Shea Stadium that read ” Raspberry, Strawberry – Bring back Throneberry !
The New York Mets signed free agent outfielder, Jerry Morales on June 23, 1966. Morales would be drafted by the San Diego Padres before he would ever play a game with the Mets . He would finally don a Mets uniform when in he was traded along with third baseman, Phil Mankowski from the Tigers for clubhouse cancer, Richie Hebner in October of ’79. I wish that I could say that Morales was a fine player in his lone season with the Mets, but he hit just .254 with 3 homers and 30 RBIs in 94 games in 1980.
Mo Vaughn is contemplating whether he should try out for the WFAN ” Fantasy Phenom” contest. He feels like he could be the next Mike Francessa ( Face it he does have the same amount of Girth as Mike – so maybe there is the same amount of hot air to be spewed by Mo ) !!!
83 comments
metsfan4decades
6/23/2011-7:59am at 7:59 am (UTC -4)
Each one of those situations were a bit different but the resulting fan reaction was probably the same.
None of us know how this will all play out with Reyes. I’m leaning towards he won’t be traded mid season but at this point, nothing will surprise me.
There is still a half season left to play. If Reyes finishes as strong as he started expect his price tag to be pretty high. And for all we know, no matter what his price tag, the Mets have a number in mind combined with years that they won’t increase no matter what. However, I’m not buying some of the beat writers who are reporting there isn’t anyway they resign him b/c the Mets are broke. It’s all going to depend on many factors.
rustyjr
6/23/2011-8:13am at 8:13 am (UTC -4)
I tend to agree – but let’s not under estimate the backlash from the fan base if Jose isn’t resigned- it may be severe
metsfan4decades
6/23/2011-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
Oh, I’ve no doubt on that. Question will be how long will it last? The off season over the winter though will be brutal.
ajgmets
6/23/2011-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
While the trading of Seaver will always rank as the Mets BIGGEST knife to the heart of Mets fans ever, a move of Jose Reyes at this point in the “business” of baseball would hardly be as devastating in my sort of humble opinion.
First off there’s a reason Seaver is known as “The Franchise”, he brought not only respectability to the ballclub but an aura of winning and dogged determination. M Donald Grant’s shipping of the Hall of Famer to Cincinnati was quite simply managements attempt to maintain a stranglehold on the careers and income potentials of superstar players as this was before the advent of court ordered free agency.
The trades of Strawberry and some others basically occurred during the twilights of their respective careers. Seaver was as hindsight has proven, in the prime of his career. The only real other comparison in the foibles of Mets trade lore would have been the moving of a young Nolan Ryan.
In today’s baseball environment, while a trade of Reyes, who has at least 5 solid years left as a dominant type shortstop would seem to be an attack upon the Mets fan base, but in reality the fans (and my) reaction is primarily based on the recent history of management failures, team struggles and ownership’s outright lies.
Reyes has been the most exciting and productive Mets player over the past 5 years and the, from my perspective, predominantly younger Mets fan base knows of nothing else but Reyes being the only light in a perpetual dark era of Mets baseball.
If it becomes evident that he club will be unable to reach a long term (6 yrs /$125mm) deal with the outstanding shortstop before seasons end, he must be moved for some prospects and possibly an established or up and coming MLB caliber player or 2 in the face of losing him for mere draft picks as a free agent.
Meanwhile as always LETS GO METS!!!
kingman 26
6/23/2011-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Strawberry wasn’t traded.
njstuckintx
6/23/2011-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
He was a traitor!
kingman 26
6/23/2011-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
Damn right!
But still, I will always have a soft spot for him, and am really glad he has been around the Mets recently.
Seeing him in a Yankee uniform was really revolting.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-8:30am at 8:30 am (UTC -4)
Rusty, my dear esteemed friend, you have inadvertently sort of made an argument FOR letting Reyes go.
Darryl had one decent year with LA, then was injured, horrible, and drug-addicted for the next half decade.
Hampton’s post-Met contract will always be one of the worst in baseball history.
Letting them go was 100% the right move.
Seaver, well, that’s another story!
rustyjr
6/23/2011-8:33am at 8:33 am (UTC -4)
Let me explain that I regarded this from a fanbase perspective – that once these ayers left the team spiraled into an abyss – yes I know this current team is not a contender but if Reyes leaves I believe the attendance will drop to levels not seen since ’79 . I still believe Straw and Hampton would have thrived if they had stayed in Flushing by the bay – but I’m speculating
Prismo
6/23/2011-8:39am at 8:39 am (UTC -4)
I’m sorry if I’m the only one who thinks this, but we shouldn’t be signing players purely for attendance reasons.
Ceetar
6/23/2011-8:44am at 8:44 am (UTC -4)
the attendance reason is why it’s not as expensive as it looks.
We’re signing him because he’s Jose Freaking Reyes. lock him up.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-8:51am at 8:51 am (UTC -4)
He’s gone, gone, gone.
If he wanted to stay, there’s no reason he wouldn’t have his agents simply say “7 years, 140–150 million and I sign today.”
It might NOT just be the money—he might want to see the postseason again while being on the field as a participant.
Prepare thyselves for the post-Reyes era.
Ceetar
6/23/2011-9:02am at 9:02 am (UTC -4)
That’s called negotiation. He doesn’t want to negotiate.
That doesn’t mean the Mets can’t come at him with 6+ 135+ and he signs it. But if not, they’ll figure it out in the 1-5 weeks they have to negotiate after the season.
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:07am at 9:07 am (UTC -4)
if it is only 1 week, I am going to be ecstatic!
Ceetar
6/23/2011-9:09am at 9:09 am (UTC -4)
if it’s only 1 week, Sandy Alderson has also intimated that the payroll will probably be right around what it is now, not on teh lower end.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:13am at 9:13 am (UTC -4)
No, he hasn’t. He actually has come out and openly said payroll will be lower than it has been.
Come on Ceetar, you’re on TRDMB not Metsblog; check the URL.
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:21am at 9:21 am (UTC -4)
you missed the point. The team negotiating window is fixed to the end of the WS, or when the team is eliminated if earlier. So 5 weeks means the mets miss the playoffs. 1 week means they were in the WS!
Ceetar
6/23/2011-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
I got your point, my point was that Sandy Alderson has repeatedly stated that an increase in revenue from attendence and a playoff push would be reinvested.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:12am at 9:12 am (UTC -4)
Reyes could also go to the Mets with 6/135 too; but he isn’t is he?
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:24am at 9:24 am (UTC -4)
I don’t read too much into that. Even if the Mets are is first choice, it still makes sense to play out the string and see exactly what the market will offer. It is the only way to really know if he is going to leave money on the table.
like you say, this is his 1 huge payday to set up the family for generations.
So, he could easily tell the mets they are #1, and give them rights of first refusal. And it does not mean that he is leaving for an extra $1000. Or even a million. If he wants to stay, he will get his offers, and take them back to the Mets to see if they can work out something reasonably close.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:32am at 9:32 am (UTC -4)
I understand all of that, but Jose knows exactly what his maximum market is.
Wouldn’t you say that 20–22 mil a year is the absolutely max he can expect?
Why not ask for Crawford + 1 mil a year?
7/147?
He could ask for that today and how much could he possibly be leaving on the table?
Again, let’s remember–Jose’s last deal DEFINITELY left $$$ on the table–it might NOT be about the dollars, which I think you and Ceetar are forgetting.
Jose might want to play for a team like the Phils/Yanks/Red Sox with a chance at the postseason every year.
It could be that to a very large degree.
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:38am at 9:38 am (UTC -4)
no one knows what the max is. Hell, at this time last year, Crawford probably thought it was 7/125 or something!
Jose is only going to hit FA in his prime 1 time. This is it. So, he has decided to keep every option open (and it is unclear still exactly what the Mets ownership and financial status is going to be.
maybe it is about leaving. maybe about getting every last buck. Or maybe he just wants to try it out. Only jose really knows for sure. But, at this stage, players aren’t offering to take discounts, so the mets aren’t getting a deal on him, so might as well wait it out.
and i still say his last deal was reasonable. He was buying an insurance policy, and the mets took on all the risk. I don’t think it was too far off from what other players at similar points in their careers were getting (considering service time,arb years, etc.)
if he took a discount, it was not to stay with the mets (he was likely doing that anyway), it was to lock in big $$ even if he got hurt again.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:42am at 9:42 am (UTC -4)
Agreed on his last deal–and that’s part of my point–everyone can love Beltran all they want, but he was about money first, second, third and last.
Jose thus far has not been.
He took less money for comfort and insurance.
That’s the difference between a player who chooses Boras and one who has agents who are practically members of his family.
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
signing away your arb and 1st FA year (like many players do) is all about insurance. not comfort.
signing for less as a FA, now that would be comfort.
Mr North Jersey
6/23/2011-9:47am at 9:47 am (UTC -4)
There is truth in your words.
kistics
6/23/2011-9:27am at 9:27 am (UTC -4)
Or perhaps he’s being greedy and looking for hotel suites, no arb offering, personal barber, free life time hair products, etc etc…
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:33am at 9:33 am (UTC -4)
24+1 baby!
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:34am at 9:34 am (UTC -4)
+ Millions.
FINALLY someone who gets it!!
Actually, seriously, I think Jose is the opposite of this, and always have. Look at his last deal.
He might just want to play for a winning franchise and he might want a change from this very drab scenery.
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
so he is taking his talents to south beach?
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:53am at 9:53 am (UTC -4)
More likely South Philly.
metsfan4decades
6/23/2011-10:03am at 10:03 am (UTC -4)
Tell that to the Giants. It was almost the only reason they signed Barry Bonds.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-8:44am at 8:44 am (UTC -4)
Gotcha. Hampton might indeed have done better had he not been in Coors during the era of insane offense.
I love Straw—I followed his career from rookie ball in Kingsport TN and was at his very first MLB game, but I think his life was going to bottom out pretty much anywhere. I just looked it up, and did not realize how bad it was—his first LA season was pretty much just like his last Met season–then for the next six years he played in 43, 32, 29, 32, 63, and 11 games.
But you may be right–maybe going back to LA and his old childhood haunts and friends really did him in….
BTW, your CDs WILL be there next week!
rustyjr
6/23/2011-9:04am at 9:04 am (UTC -4)
Thankyou sit – I just downloaded Son of Zappa Plays Zappa – I reccommend it highly !
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:19am at 9:19 am (UTC -4)
Will check it out!
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:08am at 9:08 am (UTC -4)
hey Knog, what do you know about the upcoming (or are they out?) remasters of the old Pink Floyd stuff?
rustyjr
6/23/2011-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
Also ueen remasters again
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:17am at 9:17 am (UTC -4)
I think they start coming out in the fall–Dark Side and Wish You Were Here first—amazing, expensive, various remastered editions, with booklets, DVDs, bonus tracks, live recordings, etc. I think Dark Side is Sept, Wish maybe November, The Wall February, etc.
Really amazing stuff.
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:32am at 9:32 am (UTC -4)
gonna have to get some of that for a Christmas present. I’m sure my wife will love it!
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:05am at 9:05 am (UTC -4)
seaver was a hole nother time and place. Hard to compare that to anything in this era of BB.
But frankly, Hampton and Strawberry were both smart baseball decisions. Fans often get caught up in the emotion at the time, but a FO has to be more dispassionate. Given what they did after they left the Mets, if the team had broken the bank and came over the top for (overly high) offers, fans would be screaming about how stupid the team was for doing it. And the immediate futures would not likely have changed much (and in the case of Hampton, would have been much worse!)
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:18am at 9:18 am (UTC -4)
A “hole”??
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:25am at 9:25 am (UTC -4)
Hey, same to you buddy.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rustyjr
6/23/2011-9:19am at 9:19 am (UTC -4)
But in those three cases – with the exception of drafting Wright the Mets got middle of the road prospects/players if this team does lose Reyes – be it by trade or free agency if the players they get as compensation doesn’t pan out there will be alot of resentment
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:24am at 9:24 am (UTC -4)
True, true, but when they lost Glavine I think they drafted Ike with the pick, so these things do sometimes work out.
Now that Ike’s having his foot amputated this of course loses some of its luster!
Still, I am just preparing myself for Reyes leaving, just as I prepared myself for this to be another mediocre season.
metsfan4decades
6/23/2011-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
You are right about the Ike for Glavine pick but even if we do get picks and they do pan out, it will be years before it’s realized. Hence there will be no avoiding the fan backlash.
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:31am at 9:31 am (UTC -4)
Okay Knog, to make you feel better, I will give you an example from your gold standard team. You know who they are.
Cliff Lee “loved” the phils. He wanted to play there. His wife wanted to go there. it was a given (in his mind) he was going there.
as long as, of course, the money was not hugely off.
so, he went FA, and his agent got the big boys to bid things up. Once the rough market was set, they brought the offers to the Phils, and said match this or get creative to be close enough, and we sign with you.
so, he makes sure he has something in his back pocket to guarantee a huge payday, and to keep the phils from low balling.
You can’t negotiate by going to one team and saying I am signing, here regardless, so what can you offer!
and he even worked with the team that was in a financial (payroll) bind by taking a huge cut in 2011, with a big jump in the future (something like 13 mill this year, and double that next year).
part of reyes wanting to stay will be creatively working the #s to make it fit the met pocketbook right now, without hampering the ability to add some more pieces.
hell, if he wants to protect himself from being on the Pirates for the next 6 years, add in an opt out for after year 3.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:38am at 9:38 am (UTC -4)
“part of reyes wanting to stay will be creatively working the #s to make it fit the met pocketbook right now, without hampering the ability to add some more pieces.”
This is directly contradictory to the rest of your paragraph.
If he wanted to do this, he’s be offering himself right now for 7/105 or something.
Again, it MIGHT NOT just be about money.
He may actually want to win.
In addition, your comparison is kind of nutty, as Lee had been traded TWICE and played for the Mariners and the Rangers. He wasn’t re-signing with the team he was on.
Lee had been on four teams in two years, is several years older, and it is just not the same.
stickguy
6/23/2011-9:42am at 9:42 am (UTC -4)
you missed the point. it is not about taking less money. it is about juggling the dollars around to fit ST needs (such as backloading it, like Lee did).
And the Lee analogy is the same. You are talking about a player wanting to play for a specific team. Lee was that guy. he also played the FA market first to make sure he got the team he wanted, and the big deal.
he didn’t just say shit, I’m a FA, call the phils and offer to sign any deal they put out there, since I know that’s where I am going!
same with Reyes. Just the way the business works.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
No, not necessarily how the business always works.
And with the team’s current state, there is less than zero chance they are going to backload a deal and owe Jose $30 mil+ or something in 2016. No way that’s happening.
njstuckintx
6/23/2011-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
The worst case scenario is that Reyes leaves, Mets get 2 picks and subsequently draft Billy Beane and Brad Holt again.
Ceetar
6/23/2011-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
The odds of getting Beane are so much greater than getting Strawberry.
kistics
6/23/2011-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
I’m not sure if they will get 2 picks with the CBA expiring and all….
stickguy
6/23/2011-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
not set in stone, but everything I have read indicated that the current process would be in place for the next draft at lest (carrying over frm the current rules).
after that, most likely it changes or goes away.
metsfan4decades
6/23/2011-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
Ugh.
While I know there are no guarantees with prospects, they had better get something of good value with at least one of those picks.
kistics
6/23/2011-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
What’s better if the Mets can’t sign Reyes?
Take the 2(?) picks or get prospects back?
I think getting prospects back is the better option here, but the potential uprising in the Mets fan base would probably prohibit Sandy from trading him.
metsfan4decades
6/23/2011-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
I really don’t know. Getting the prospects back mid season would probably mean those guys get to the big leagues sooner rather than later. Might cut down on the backlash some, whereas picks could be years before they develop.
Just a thought.
stickguy
6/23/2011-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
prospects in theory will make an impact sooner (depending on where they are in their careers), since most likely at least 1 will be close.
It also actually saves the team money, since some other team already paid the signing bonuses. Hopefully that means the $$ saved (could be in the millions) would be redirected into other talent (an overslot, or more IFAs).
njstuckintx
6/23/2011-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
prospects, for sure. draft picks have just as much chance of washing out like a draft pick, but they are closer to making the bigs, more often than not, than picks.
kistics
6/23/2011-10:24am at 10:24 am (UTC -4)
Is it me or does Jason Bay stand like 20 feet from the plate?
The past couple games where he was able to hit the outside pitches, I thought I saw him standing closer to the plate. And yesterday he was back to his 20 feet again.
stickguy
6/23/2011-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
that is the common perception. He has no chance at touching an outside breaking ball (or FB for that matter).
the $64,000,000 question though, is why?
metsfan4decades
6/23/2011-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
MLBTR reporting:
Cashman: Reyes To Yankees ‘Not Going To Happen’
“We have an everyday shortstop in Derek Jeter,” Cashman said. “And I think we have an everyday shortstop that would be playing for a lot of clubs in Eduardo Nunez. The Yankees don’t have a need now or in the future for a shortstop.”
**********
So he says, but it makes my day.
metsfan4decades
6/23/2011-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
Heck, I wonder if Cashman will still be the Yankee GM come off season.
stickguy
6/23/2011-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
based on recent history, Cashman saying it won’t happens ups the likelihood that it does. The boys are making the decisions anyway, so if Hanky wants him, he will get an offer.
Jeter by next year is iffy as an everyday SS, but if they are really high on Nunez, good for them! and not much else you can do with the captain, is there?
kingman 26
6/23/2011-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
Too bad this means pretty much less than nothing.
Cashman publicly did not want Soriano either.
If Hank gets Jeter to agree to move to LF or DH, they’ll offer Jose more than Crawford money.
Cashman’s a pretty powerless GM.
stickguy
6/23/2011-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
what amuses me is that he must know he has not say, but he keeps coming out and making these grand, definitive statements. I think he wants to be fired so he can collect his salary while looking for another cushy gig.
metsfan4decades
6/23/2011-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
LOL. Now that’s a plan. Millions can make you get over the embarrassment of being fired pretty quickly.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
“I think he wants to be fired so he can collect his salary while looking for another cushy gig.”
+ Infinity
stickguy
6/23/2011-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
saw this on Delcos about K rod. Fits the theme from the dugout last night! I left the bay piece in just to be mean.
“. Rodriguez has given up 11 earned runs in his last 11 appearances, calling his performance “pathetic.”
The word also applies to Jason Bay, who went 0-for-5 with three more strikeouts, and today has been moved out of the cleanup spot.”
Also, I see that Collins is yanking TRS’s chain, going with my lineup of Duda at 1B, and turner and Murphy at 2B and 3B. Not quite the infield for the ages of 1999, but the best bats then can put out there at the moment.
metsfan4decades
6/23/2011-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
And 3/4s of that IF was not the opening day IF. We might be saying all 4 positions soon if they trade Reyes.
Yeah, and we were all hoping for a WC berth? If we pull that off, it will be the Miracle of the Ages for sure.
stickguy
6/23/2011-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
look at it this way. Even missing so much time by important guys, they are still right around .500. So it was not an unreasonable goal if they had stayed on the field for a change.
Heck, no one expected DW and Ike to be the guys to miss the bulk of the season.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
I wish it were not so, but the AL kicks the NL’s rump these days.
After 9 with TEX/DET/NYY, that will unfortunately quiet WC talk for a while.
I honestly think .500 and 3rd place ahead of WASH and FLA are the reasonable goals right now.
stickguy
6/23/2011-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
at this pace, Fla might not crack 40 wins on the season.
Mr North Jersey
6/23/2011-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
Crazy how bad Fla has played this month. Course with our luck when we face them they will be piping hot.
I can’t say I expect the Mets to finish .500. I always felt they’d be around 80-82 but still all things considered they have been enjoyable despite their losing record.
Heck if they get to .500 and are within 5 games of a wildcard at any point this season I consider that more than I expected and if optimistic fans want to think of Wildcard chances far be it from me to rain on their parade.
njstuckintx
6/23/2011-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
Playing close to .500 is going to suck, because they’ll be in striking distance of the WC and think they are buyers. I really hope that doesn’t happen.
Mr North Jersey
6/23/2011-1:39pm at 1:39 pm (UTC -4)
I can understand your concern but your not suggesting you hope they lose instead?
kingman 26
6/23/2011-1:43pm at 1:43 pm (UTC -4)
Not really; it’s not just their record, but how many teams are ahead of them.
Being at .500 would be great, but right now, there are seven teams we would have to pass for the WC, including ATL, SF, and STL.
18 of our next 23 games are against 1st and 2nd place teams.
It will all sort itself out soon enough.
njstuckintx
6/23/2011-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
Actually, I kinda do. While a super run at the playoffs is always hoped for, we have a team with a Star about to walk, an ex-star who is on the way out, a broken down 1B (potentially for the year), a 3B with a broken back, a LF who is putting up Legen – wait for it.. – dary anti-power numbers and a patchwork team of likeable guys who lack talent. For this team to make the mistake of thinking they can go far and miss the opportunity to correct the problem for the long term.
Trust me, I cheer and jump up and down and high five my wife when things like Turner gets barely nicked with a pitch and the Mets win. But I’m not going to sit here, merrily mixing up another batch of Mets Cool-ade thinking how things could be. I guess, all I am saying is that I am not looking forward to the situation when this flawed team is still in the mix and management (read: Jeffy Boy) starts thinking that this team is going to be a serious contender, so they sacrifice the chance to get this team to a better situation, both financially and talent wise, for 1 longshot run at the playoffs.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-2:05pm at 2:05 pm (UTC -4)
You really have nothing to worry about.
The things Jeff has said about Sandy having no limits are even more utterly untrue than the things said after the famous WFAN performance two years ago.
They have no money, Einhorn’s money is to pay employees, and they aren’t going to add anything—other than maybe the prospects they can get for Beltran and maybe KRod and/or Reyes.
Personally, I think that the two options are either that they totally tank in the next month of very difficult games and then become sellers, or they continue to sniff .500 and stand pat.
There’s just no way they are going to be adding players or taking on payroll. Never happen.
Mr North Jersey
6/23/2011-2:41pm at 2:41 pm (UTC -4)
I understand your fears TX. Your concerns are valid ones I guess best case scenario is if the Mets find themselves within a whiff of a W.C. at the trade deadline that the F.O. knows to weigh how real or unreal the teams chances are at that time and act accordingly.
Lots of baseball yet to be played the Mets. For me I can’t hope for them to lose games for fear of the Mets being buyers. I have to trust that Alderson will weigh how realistic the teams chances are at competing for a W.C. at that time and act accordingly.
Who knows maybe the Mets fall out of all possible chances at a W.C. like many predict but I remember ppl burying the team at 5-13 as well.
Just going to enjoy the ride. If they can get back to .500 and compete for a W.C. great it’s like the cherry on top and if they fall 10 games below .500 it sucks but like I said at the start of season. It’s more about being a better team at the end of the season going forward than what we were at the start.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Yup. Marlins never have been a team to have a resurgence in the 2nd half under a new manager.
And Oswalt and Lee are done too. And Utley will never be back and productive by the all star break.
It’s amazing, really, that the Mets aren’t ahead of the Phils too.
stickguy
6/23/2011-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
http://beerleaguer.typepad.com/
Sadly, the 2 marlins’s fans that knew how to use a computer were kicked out of their parent’s basement.
kingman 26
6/23/2011-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
One baseball blog is all I have time/interest in, but thanks.
I swear, many don’t believe me, but reality really can be just a blast of a good time.
metsfan4decades
6/23/2011-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
For sure. Not whining as much as commenting ‘it is what it is’.
We know Ike is out, maybe for the season. I hope the news on Wright today is better. If you noticed in the game last night, pitchers are basically just pitching all around Beltran. He’s not getting much to hit lately and sure could use another good bat in that lineup.