The owner of the New York Mets made an appearance at Mets camp today. Here are a few tweets on some of the things he had to say.
Fred Wilpon says he is “hopeful and optimistic” about the “really good arms” on #Mets. twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/…
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 13, 2013
Fred said Sandy has payroll flexibility. Can see Omar-era payroll returning.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) February 13, 2013
Fred Wilpon said they’ll be big investors next winter in free agency if that’s “appropriate.”
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) February 13, 2013
Fred said he strives to break even. Said payroll will be at level to be competitive — even if that’s $140M or $150M
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) February 13, 2013
Wilpon says there’s no way Mets were losing David Wright on his watch: “To me, he’s our Jeter.”
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) February 13, 2013
Fred Wilpon looking for team to break even this year financially. But says that can only happen with a competitive team on the field.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) February 13, 2013
“Everything that was in the past, you guys saw the pain that we went through, is gone.” – Fred Wilpon
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) February 13, 2013
Here’s photo of Fred Wilpon speaking with reporters: twitter.com/AdamRubinESPN/…
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) February 13, 2013
41 comments
srt
2/13/2013-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
Ah – HA! I knew that contract for Wright was Fred’s idea.
So the money problems for the Mets are a thing of the past, huh? In that case, 2014 should be interesting.
I read additional tweets where Fred said the goal is to break even every year. They’re not in it to make money off the Mets. Someone should send that to Loria…..
Prismo
2/13/2013-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
If I’m reading between the lines, I think the future payrolls will be dictated by current butts in seats. Seems obvious, but that’s not always how things have been. Some teams spend to get butts in the seats, but with their current financial strains the Mets don’t have that luxury. They probably have to wait to be competitive, fill up the stadium, and THEN increase payroll So it’s likely a longer journey.
That said, if somehow the Mets were competitive in the 2nd half this year and averaged a good crowd, and then somehow made it through a couple rounds of the playoffs (I know) for extra dough…I could totally see the payroll being upped to $120MM next year. But in a more realistic world where half the stadium is empty all season and the Mets are on their couches for the playoffs, I think we’ll continue to see $100MM payrolls year after year (with perhaps slight/gradual increases due to inflation) until butts/seats happens.
greggofboken
2/13/2013-12:38pm at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
For anyone venturing out into the blogosphere for the next 24 hours, I would recommend a hard hat.
SaltyGary
2/13/2013-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
Boo
greggofboken
2/13/2013-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
At least he got it out of his system early. But prior to media training day. Something tells me his observance of Lent leaves a little to be desired. Unless he’s ultra-Reform.
gategem
2/13/2013-11:42pm at 11:42 pm (UTC -4)
Explanation required for ancient ones such as I.
SaltyGary
2/13/2013-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
Here’s hoping Fred gives up the Mets for Lent.
kingman 26
2/13/2013-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
Hmmm, he may give up matzoh for Lent…
Prismo
2/13/2013-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
LOL well done
kingman 26
2/13/2013-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
SaltyGary
2/13/2013-1:43pm at 1:43 pm (UTC -4)
Is he Jewish I didn’t even realize that. I knew Saul was by the name but Wilpn doesn’t sound Jewish to me.
kingman 26
2/13/2013-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
Oh yeah, most definitely…their previous Ponzi scheme involvement was with Samuel Israel…before Bernard Madoff…
Prismo
2/13/2013-2:26pm at 2:26 pm (UTC -4)
How do you know Samuel Israel is Jewish though?
gategem
2/13/2013-11:55pm at 11:55 pm (UTC -4)
I believe Fred Wilpon is Jewish. BTW who would have thought that Amar’e Stoudemire is also Jewish.
kingman 26
2/13/2013-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
MOVED
Stick
2/13/2013-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
Fred really should not make public statements. Ever. do the owners of other MLB teams do this? Though at this point, most of those are consortiums, so they have a spokesman type (which really here should be Sandy).
Like SRT said, he confirmed DW was out of Sandy’s decision making domain. And that Sandy has some budget wiggle room (though convienently ignored how much!). At least they should be able to spend a bit this next off season, even if they keep payroll (as I expect) around 100mill.
Trades, baby Trades is the answer!
Prismo
2/13/2013-1:34pm at 1:34 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t care whose decision it….it was the CORRECT decision!
gategem
2/13/2013-11:59pm at 11:59 pm (UTC -4)
I didn’t realize I was in the presence of a soothsayer.
greggofboken
2/13/2013-1:46pm at 1:46 pm (UTC -4)
Unfortunately, I think most of them make public statements — though the smart ones keep it to a minium. I can live w/Fred making one a year far enough in advance where there’s a chance to do remediation where needed.
Fred, stilted as he is, is a darn sight better than Jeff. I never want to hear from him. Ever. Once is too often.
This was less egregious than some in the past….but I’ll wait until the accountants ring in before passing judgment. (No debt? Hard to fathom.)
Stick
2/13/2013-2:08pm at 2:08 pm (UTC -4)
I suppose. as long as it is in a controlled environment like this, and he just makes vague, meaningless comments and does not go off script, not a big deal. Just wrap him back up and shove him in the back of the closet.
and man, agreed about never wanting to see Jeffy again. Too bad it seems pretty clear that we are stuck with them for many years to come!
srt
2/13/2013-5:28pm at 5:28 pm (UTC -4)
‘Fred, stilted as he is, is a darn sight better than Jeff. I never want to hear from him. Ever. Once is too often.’
This.
SaltyGary
2/13/2013-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
Piazza was on Daily Show last night. Lots of roid questions. Nothing ground breaking.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-february-12-2013/mike-piazza
Stick
2/13/2013-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
would not expect there to be. No chance he was “outing” himself in the book, and after that, he would not even be doing the show if there was some skeleton waiting to be sprung on him.
greggofboken
2/13/2013-2:13pm at 2:13 pm (UTC -4)
Friendly fire. Stewart’s a Mets fan.
Stick
2/13/2013-2:16pm at 2:16 pm (UTC -4)
whouldn’t he have gone on with Bill M.? isn’t he the one that bought a share?
And IMO, for all the dumb people making cracks, those 20mill shares are going to turn out to be a very shrewd investment.
greggofboken
2/13/2013-2:34pm at 2:34 pm (UTC -4)
Yes. But no reason for Bill Maher to have on an athlete plugging a book. If Piazza does Francesa or Evan/Joe or something w/Costas, that’d be worth paying attention to. Maybe even Letterman….but national media seems a reach. This book really has interest here and L.A. I don’t imagine much beyond that.
greggofboken
2/13/2013-3:14pm at 3:14 pm (UTC -4)
For Collin Cowgill fans (and I believe there’s at least one), you may enjoy this writeup on him from Rubin today.
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/60887/cowgill-looking-to-prove-cynics-wrong-again#more
Be sure to click on the linked video. Cowgill is not shy about making contact.
Stick
2/13/2013-3:26pm at 3:26 pm (UTC -4)
that was me. thanks for rememberating.
Stick
2/13/2013-3:32pm at 3:32 pm (UTC -4)
actually just read the article. How can you not be rooting for this guy? If anything, sounds like a more intelligent, less roided, Dykstra. I may have to stop making fun of his name.
definitely sounds like he has the grustle part down. that always plays up big with the fans here. Could fit good with Murphy. And Kirk, who is not shy about throwing his body around.
might be short, but he looks strong.
greggofboken
2/13/2013-4:55pm at 4:55 pm (UTC -4)
It sounds like he has a sense of humor too — which should help. It would certainly help me if I had to do half of Duda’s job.
Stick
2/13/2013-5:36pm at 5:36 pm (UTC -4)
good point about Duda. He might run over Cowpie without even seeing him. Like when a tanker plows over a fishing boat without even noticing it.
srt
2/13/2013-5:32pm at 5:32 pm (UTC -4)
RUDY! RUDY!
gategem
2/14/2013-12:09am at 12:09 am (UTC -4)
Stick, Lenny Dykstra was an extremely talented individual. I recall reading about him in the Sporting News when Lenny was in the minors. At that time the article predicted an outstanding future for Dykstra. Of course at that time he was not a power hitter.
darknova306
2/13/2013-9:52pm at 9:52 pm (UTC -4)
Cowgill will be garbage, as per usual, and will end his streak of being on unsuspecting playoff teams this year. He should get to know the feeling of 4th place very well for the coming years.
Stick
2/13/2013-10:01pm at 10:01 pm (UTC -4)
tough crowd. Do you like any players?
darknova306
2/13/2013-10:11pm at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
Niese is my boy!
darknova306
2/13/2013-10:16pm at 10:16 pm (UTC -4)
And who said I don’t like any players? Huh, guy? Oh, probably cause I haven’t said a nice thing about a Mets player in approximately 87 years. Dang.
gategem
2/14/2013-12:12am at 12:12 am (UTC -4)
If he is garbage then he will have to change his name to “Cow_flop.”
srt
2/14/2013-7:20am at 7:20 am (UTC -4)
We should do a poll, along the lines of what player we think will surprise the most – plays way over and above what’s projected.
Duda? (Hits 40 HRs and is the starting LF from start to finish)
Cowgil? (Plays outstanding defense and hits above the norm from both sides of the plate enough to be more than a platoon player)
Harvey? (Wins that 20 games and is a CY candidate)
TAD? (Comes up in early May and has a slash line unheard of for a rookie, resulting in a strong candidate for ROY)
Ike? (Hits 42 HRs and wins the Gold Glove, hands down)
Parnell? (Breaks the Mets record for saves in a season, making FF a distant memory)
Wright? (slash line so good he’s a strong candidate for MVP or wins the batting title)
You get the picture. Who do we all think will be head and shoulders better than their career norm?
Stick
2/14/2013-9:34am at 9:34 am (UTC -4)
for old times sake, I will take Duda to have the break-out year.
2nd choice is Andrew Brown.
Then Edgin.
3doza33
2/15/2013-3:38pm at 3:38 pm (UTC -4)
The wilpons have a lot of haters for everything that’s happened the past ten years but I don’t think they are lying about this. Next offseason has been the plan the whole time. We are gonna have the two big contracts and FF’s contract ending as well! Don’t be surprised when we go all out for outfielders this coming offseason. It’s gonna be beautiful! Tge timing can’t be better cause the Yankees will be going the other way! We are set up for a very bright future very soon!! Our minor league pitching is gonna keep us on top for a long time! It’s a great time to be a mets fan, finally! Let’s go mets!!!!!