Theres been alot of talk about the Mets chances to bring Jose back for next year. So much so, that at this point I feel its at best a 50-50 shot. In my opinion, if the day comes that Jose is wearing another jersey it will not come as such a surprise. This is the business of baseball and it isnt the first time a major star goes to another team during free agency. The Mets will just become average at short stop just like most of Major League baseball. I dont think alot of people give Ruben enough credit on how much he has improved his game and undervalue his potential. That being said, the phrase “As Jose Reyes goes, so goes the Mets” should(in my opinion) directly apply to David Wright. I believe that if Jose goes, David might not be too far behind. David Murphy would obviously be the replacement in the event David leaves but I sometimes wonder if thats the road the Mets are heading.
Its no secret that the Mets have not gotten the best “bang for your buck” ballclub. With every success of teams like the Rays and Cardinals, it comes as a huge slap in the face of teams that consistently hold a payroll in the top 5(which we have been a part of for some time). One thing that I never understood is how a team is labeled “small market” because of how much money they spend when clearly money doesnt necessary equal success. Mets are looking to be between 100-110 mil next year and im sure Sandy would want it to be even less than that. What im trying to say here basically is that I believe in Sandy and having an effective payroll. I dont mind having a ballclub sub 100 mill.
I like David, he is a heck of a player and its not his fault(entirely) that the Mets could not get it done when they should have. They were on the cusp of being something epic in 2006, a force that can go toe to toe with anybody. As the failures mounted every year since then it became obvious that they lacked something…substance. Ive always found it fascinating during the 90′s and to a certain extent now that a team like the Braves can lose a player and would call up some nobody in AAA but this kid would play at the same level or better than the guy who went down. Ive always wondered how come the Mets would seem to have to cover up their holes every year with people in free agency and the guys who did come up didnt last very long. It boils down to the basics…scouting and development. Terry set the culture, Sandy is the man with a plan and while it hasnt produced instant results, rarely does long term success come instantly as well. If this is the end of the dynamic duo, thanks for the memories and lets just turn the page for the next era of the Mets.
12 comments
Anonymous
10/21/2011-10:21pm at 10:21 pm (UTC -4)
good piece. Maybe I am just too old, or jaded, or something but it doesn’t bother me that much if he goes. Sure, i like him on the team, but I just can’t make it a huge crisis like some people if he goes (the world is ending! I will never watch the team again! they are dead to me!)
players come, players go, the laundry lives on.
So, if Reyes isn’t here (same for Wright), I will just shift my interest to the next wave of players. Duda, Ike, etc. Heck, those 2 in the next couple of years could be forming a serious power punch in the heart of the lineup. Not guaranteed, but in this game, you just never know.
I kind of think that If jose goes, DW should go to, but if Jose stays, I could go either way on Wright. I think he will bounce back this year, just not sure he will do it in NY.
I also think that he is NOT going to be signed to a LT extension, unless he offers to take a shorter/cheaper deal now. Otherwise, he is likely here through 2013 (options) and then he moves on.
SaltyGary
10/21/2011-11:57pm at 11:57 pm (UTC -4)
I hope they hold onto David at least for the first half to see if the field dimension changes effect him positively.
If you look at everyone in the league he is close to the top of players that would benefit from a scenery change. A bunch of fluky injuries and way too much for him to shoulder on his own has been a huge drain on the guy. For the long term I see more benefit in terms of dollars spent on him over Reyes but it’s hard not to want to finish cleaning the house if/after Reyes goes.
MetsFan4Decades
10/22/2011-1:32am at 1:32 am (UTC -4)
Say it ain’t so, Joe.
‘ I dont think alot of people give Ruben enough credit on how much he has improved his game and undervalue his potential.’
Maybe….but I’ll go on record as saying that Ruben isn’t ever going to be Jose.
‘David Murphy would obviously be the replacement in the event David
leaves but I sometimes wonder if that’s the road the Mets are heading.’
Hey, I’ll take David Murphy from TX but I think he plays RF…..I kid, I kid.
In hindsight, that 2006 team was built to win now. That was never going to be a dynasty. We didn’t have the pitching (think we used like 11 starters that year), some were aging tool as aging position players that would have to be replaced, such as Uncle Cliff.
I agree with the first couple of statements by Stick. Can’t say I agree with the last part. I did at one time, but I’ve reversed my thinking on that.
- First: I don’t want to see Reyes go but will be resigned if he does. I think that handwriting might be on the wall. Doesn’t mean I won’t be disappointed when he does sign elsewhere. I’m still holding out hope Sandy gives him a fair offer that when all is said and done – after he listens to all FA offers, he takes.
-Second: Concerning Wright – I’m going in the opposite direction most are probably leaning towards right now. I’d try and extend his contract early on next year. He finished 3rd in WAR for all 3rd baseman in the NL in ’11. Even if he doesn’t return to pre 2009 numbers, he’s still a very good ball player. He might actually do better if moved off 3rd base to say LF if we can get rid of Bay sooner rather than later.
Extend him now while his stock is lower and maybe get a bit of a bargain for a good homegrown player that does much for the organization both on and off the field.
Now it probably goes w/o saying that his agent probably won’t let him sign a new contract while his stock is low but I’d give it a shot.
Anonymous
10/22/2011-2:05am at 2:05 am (UTC -4)
WAR? you women and your spreadsheets, since you obviously don’t understand anything about baseball.
sorry, just channeling my inner Bayonne for you.
anyway,.I would be shocked if they extend him now, unless wright initiates it at a team friendly discount just because he wants to have it locked up to keep him a met and to eliminate the pending circus.
MetsFan4Decades
10/22/2011-2:15am at 2:15 am (UTC -4)
hahahaha – Yup, I’m just a ‘broad who ought to get my head out of baseball books and spreadsheets and actually watch a game once in awhile’…..
Yeah, I don’t see them extending Wright now either. Isn’t Sandy’s style, especially with the whole ‘want to get a look at Jose’ comment in ST this year. It was just a thought I had that if they could lock him up now, it probably would be at a discount and we’d have a one less hole to worry about for the next several years.
As bad as he looked defensively (and being honest his arm isn’t all that strong) and a down year offensively, he’s still ranked one of the 3 best NL 3rd basemen. Maybe like Jose, a fully healthy Wright next year would see a return to more normal career numbers.
Anonymous
10/22/2011-2:34am at 2:34 am (UTC -4)
at least the 2 of us were right this time last year, saying they should lock up reyes when it might have been possible to do it for a reasonable amount.
and it would not surprise me if wright dedicates himself to getting in shape (physically, and his “game”) and comes out on a mission to get back to 2008. And given his natural talent, previous success, and age, it is entirely possible he does.
man, this team needs to have a positive year in 2012 health wise. Avoid any significant injuries, and they could shock some people.
SaltyGary
10/22/2011-2:08pm at 2:08 pm (UTC -4)
But Reyes didn’t want to be locked up and the Mets were in no position last winter to sign him long term.
Anonymous
10/22/2011-2:45pm at 2:45 pm (UTC -4)
we don’t know what reyes would have done. He has always said he wanted to stay in NY, so why shouldn’t we assume he would have been happy to discuss a deal?
Hey, he was coming off 2 injury marred bad years. Had to be in his mind that 1 more lost year, and his value would drop even more.
not saying he would have taken chump change, but it wasn’t going to take Crawford money. Something reasonable in the middle?
And of course the mets could have done it last year. The extension would have kicked in for 2012, so no change to payroll last year.
moot point now of course, but still, we were on record as saying they should have made a run at it.
Anonymous
10/22/2011-2:12am at 2:12 am (UTC -4)
Interesting piece on right now on 20/20 about old bernie. wonder if Fred is watching?
anyway, a random thought. I still get annoyed by the shrill “small market” wailing, because Sandy said payroll would only be about 110 mill or so.
well, based on 2011 figures (thanks to google!), that still puts the mets in the top 10. So not exactly tiny market, living on food stamps. And also seems reasonable appropriate for a team in the middle of the pack, undergoing a transition. And like Sandy said, should be plenty to put together a competitive team.
Anonymous
10/22/2011-5:01am at 5:01 am (UTC -4)
They have 50 million more than Tampa bay and that is a consistently competitive team. Although Tampa’s situation differs the overall point is that a change in formula and ideals will presumably be beneficial to the franchise and have a positive effect on the on field product. If the Mets form an effective developmental system and perfect the art of the draft ( its a crapshoot, but hey make the most of your pick )they can be in good shape and still have a relatively comfortable financial situation with room to manuevre through free agency and trade.
Anonymous
10/22/2011-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
TB has been a competitive team for four years although in 2009 they finished 19 games out of first. Previous to this short “competitive” run they lost 90+ games for 10 consecutive years and 100+ in three of those years.
Anonymous
10/22/2011-4:54am at 4:54 am (UTC -4)
Hate to say it but I think this is the end tor this duo. I thought the world of them when I was younger and in some respects still do but sometimes something that appears so good really just is not and noe it doesn’t even look that extraordinary anymore. Change is good, change is hope in this case it ay least I hope. If Jose leaves then I respect his time here but hey he wants something else, something that the Mets cannot offer right now, this is fine. Just like life is a constant cycle so too is baseball and though it may not be soon this club will win again with a different group of athletes who will have a legacy of their own. You love the Reyes and Wright combo but really, fir players and fans alike, sometimes its just time to kook towards something more substantial. The future of this franchise depends on it.