8
2009
Too Late For The Mets To Sell High
An article by Doug Branch
About a month ago I broached the unpopular vision that if the Mets fell out of contention by the all-star break they should become sellers. Stop putting patches on the holes, but fill them permanently.
According to another Mets site I was being “drawn and quartered,” by fellow bloggers.
Anybody remember? Anyone want to get onboard with my radical, ahead of the curve thinking?
Too late, no other major league team would want the Mets rancid groceries now.
On Wall Street its called “Selling High,” but the front office has missed the boat. I can’t really blame them. Who in their right mind would consider trading Carlos Beltran with the first half he was having?
It was just food for thought, that’s what a blog site is about, but the venom that was spewed, Tusk tusk.
Moreover, Omar Minaya would have been the one shredded to ribbons, not me. However, in hindsight (20/20) having a trio of healthy bodies, such as Clay Bucholtz and Jacoby Ellsbury, and another, might have helped save the season.
Right now there is nothing to sell and nothing to buy. The Mets fans are asked to support a team of backups and David Wright (you are right Joe, he looks, and is worn out-who wouldn’t be).
How long before Johan Santana flips his wig? And, what if Oliver Perez walks 6 in 4 innings tonight? Basically, how low can this franchise go. All the way to the doorstep of Washington DC, that’s how far.
This team is unwatchable right now.
About the Author: Doug Branch
Doug has been sports writing since 1983. He first wrote about the Mets at spring training that year, and his first interviewee was surly catcher Ron Hodges. He currently writes for Mets Inside Pitch, among other magazines published by Scout Publishing-which is owned by Fox Sports. He began following the team during the Wes Westrum era, and redeemed many Borden milk coupons for free Saturday baseball. The night of Tom Seaver's imperfect game against the Cubs, he was in line to buy a ticket when the windows slammed shut and abject disappointment ensued.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 20 | .565 | 1.0 |
| Mets | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Marlins | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 23 | 23 | .500 | 4.0 |
Last updated: 05/25/2012
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Make that all the way to doorstep of Cuba for the useless Mets.
Which players would you have wanted to “sell high?” Was it Beltran? I can’t remember. Who else was worthy of being “sold high”?
Why is every post here nowadays an “I told ya so” post? Where’s the mea culpa posts about being wrong on Daniel Murphy and Oliver Perez?
So let me get this straight. You propose a trade which you admit was proven foolish by the terrific first half Beltran had. Then Beltran gets hurt and you want to take credit for the trade which would have provided “healthy bodies”?
The frustration is getting to you. Complaining like a spoiled child doesn’t help much.
Let’s say we tried to sell high as you said.
Why would the Red SOx trade for Beltran when they have Ellsbury, can acquire a power bat cheaper, and closely guard their starting pitching. Bucholtz and Bowden are untouchable, and Theo guards his starting pitching prospects. Theo hangs up the phone the minute Bucholtz is mentioned.
Second, if we want three good prospects, then we’d have to eat half of Beltran’s contract.
Third, for the next twenty years, trading Beltran would be regarded as Midnight Massacre II. If we trade Beltran, the organization loses any credibility we had.
Fourth, Beltran is one of the best when healthy.
People have already made the points I wanted to make, but I just want to jump on the “seriously?” bandwagon. Injuries don’t prove that your stupid trade idea was correct. If I today suggest that the Cards should trade Pujols to the Blue Jays for Vernon Wells and Lyle Overbay, and then tomorrow Pujols breaks his wrist, I can’t take credit for offering an idea that would have saved the Cardinals team with some “live bodies.”
I don’t really understand this idea of missing the boat on selling high. Beltran was having a great season, he was the best, most consistent hitter on the team, and I don’t exactly remember how you justified trading him in order to win THIS YEAR.
Keep up the good work.
I agree with you. No team can be winner every year. But they will never be winners if they keep believing that they can win, existing as they are, when it is clear that they cannot. 2009 should be the “fix-it year” so we can come back strong in 2010. Now 2010 will just be another wasted chance.