31
2009
The Proof Is In The Pudding… Or Lack Of It
An article by Hojo's Mojo
The Mets have released a statement that the fall instructional league has not been canceled, but only shifted to the the Dominican Republic. Still, it’s a cost cutting maneuver no matter how they wish to present it. They can do all the damage control they want and deny every instance of their obvious cost cutting moves, but it doesn’t change the facts.
1. Traded Billy Wagner for low level AA prospects…………………………………………….Savings $3,400,000.00
2. Announce decision to keep Omar Minaya……………………………………………………Savings $3,500,000.00
3. Announce decision to keep manager and coaches…………………………………………..Savings $7,000,000.00
4. Cancel fall instructional league…………………………………………………………………….Savings $300,000.00
5. Average team spent $26 million in June Draft, Mets spent 18MM (Ranked last)………….Savings $8,000,000.00
This list doesn’t include some of the other transparent cost-cutting measures whose values cannot be determined and only approximated, but you get a good glimpse of the overall picture and it’s not pretty.
1. They pulled Gary Sheffield off waivers and didn’t trade him because they only owed him $125,000.00 and it would have cost more to replace him on the roster. This kept the team from acquiring potential prospects for their depleted farm system.
2. In January, Omar said he had $5-6 million in payroll flexibility to spend at the trade deadline and he opted to sit on his hands and let the team sink instead. What makes this more strange was that Omar was under intense pressure to do something after getting so much scrutiny from last years deadline when he failed to add an arm for the bullpen which ultimately broke down and imploded for the second straight season. I guess lightning does strike twice in the same place.
3. The Mets had no problem handing about $2 million dollars each to utility infielders Alex Cora and Fernando Tatis before the Madoff scandal news broke, but afterward they scoffed at the idea of getting a proven all star second baseman in Orlando Hudson for just $3 million dollars. This happened at a time when no Mets fan wanted to see Luis Castillo return in 2009. It turned out okay for the Mets, but back in January this decision was puzzling to say the least.
4. A proven lefthanded starter in Randy Wolf for just $5 million dollars, was passed over for Nationals refugees Tim Redding ($2.25 MM) and Livan Hernandez ($2 MM). Quantity over quality, which in the end proved costly. The Mets could have hedged their bets after signing Ollie for $36 million, and instead they compounded their problems. Livan has now been cut while Redding toils in and out of the bullpen with a 5.94 ERA. In 28 starts, Wolf has a 3.,25 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP.
There’s probably more one can add to this short list, but the point is made. Since the Bernie Madoff scandal broke, the Mets have been operating with a different set of rules. Whereas before the focus was on what moves would make the team better, the new focus is now on how can they cut costs further.
The Mets can deny it all they want, but actions speak louder than words.
About the Author: Rob Johnson
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I would also add to this that instead of getting a power hitting outfielder (example: Manny Ramirez or Adam Dunn) in the off-season the Mets force fed us Murphy in LF. That can also be looked at as a “cost savings” move. I think only time will tell but with Delgado, Schnieder and Wagner coming off the books (Wagner already off) that’s about $30mil per yr in salary. Let’s see if the Mets spend less, more or equal to that in the off-season.
Or will they spend anything at all in the offseason? I am keenly interested in reading the tea leaves on that as it develops.
It they don’t spend anything, that means: Pagan in LF, Murphy at 1b, Santos everyday behind the plate, some combo of Niese, Parnell and Figgy in the rotation. All that equals last place next season, so they better spend something.
Don’t hold out too long, Mask. The Coupons will sell the tea leaves to make a quick buck.
Unfortunately the trend is down and the cost cutting policy is accentuating that trend. There is no indication whatsoever of any change in this direction and so the future looks bleak. Cash flow is the key. As long as the Mets contribute positive cash flow to the bottom line of the Wilpon’s income statement, this trend will continue. When revenue falls below the break even level causing daily cash drain, this team will be sold in a heart beat. You can bet the Wilpon’s accountants are tracking that on a daily basis.
MASK, ASSUMING U R CORRECT, DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THE OWNERSHIP COMMITTEE WILL APPROVE A SALE TO A MORE AGGRESSIVE SPENDING OWNER? NOT IN THIS LIFETIME! ACCORDING TO COTS THE NYM PAYROLL COMMITTED FOR ’10 IS 93M, WITHOUT ADDING A DIME IN THE OFFSEASON. OF THE ’09 PAYROLLS THAT WOULD PLACE THEM SIXTH HIGHEST OUT OF THE 30 FRANCHISES. THE WILPONS WERE NEVER FLUSH; BUT AT LEAST THEY SPENT, WISELY OR NOT IS CERTAINLY DEBATABLE. PERHAPS YOU SHOULD READ UP ON SOME MLB SPENDING HISTORY & TRACK THE TRENDS EXHIBITED IN ATL & STL. I THINK U”LL BE SUPRISED STEPPING OUT OF THE NY BUBBLE. COMPARED TO NYY THEY’VE BEEN PAUPERS. COMPARED TO ATL,STL,PHL,PITT,FL,GNATS DRUNKEN SAILORS. FRED’S ALWAYS BEEN TOO CONSERVATIVE. IT’S CERTAINLY HIS NATURE AS A GREAT DEPRESSION PRODUCT ROOTING FOR THE MOST LOVED WS LOSERS IN HISTORY. MY FIRST GAME ATTENDED WAS @ EBBETS.
Kerel, I believe what you suggest is right on target, if they do not spend we will be last place for sure. The way the coupons have been saving money left and right, I think the tea leaves are readable right now Mask.
I think it’s important to note that when Minaya was first hired, the Wilpons said he would have full control and autonomy. That was evident up until the madoff thing broke. Since then Omar’s hands have been tied.
Cisco, glad to have you on the site. However, the lack of the finances is not the sole reason for the state of this team. Omar has fouled up quite a bit, defending him is as useful as treating a headache with a hammer.
The Mets won’t be getting top free agents after this season. So don’t hold your breath on that.
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
DC, PERHAPS THAT’S A GOOD THING, WE NEED HUNGRIER,GRITTIER TYPES LIKE ATL’S DIAZ & PHL’S WERTH,VICTORINO,FELIZ NOT A TOP SHELFER AMONGST THEM WHEN ACQUIRED/ADDED. WE’VE GOT THE ‘NAMES’ STILL IN THEIR PRIMES; BUT THE SUPPORTING CAST KEEPS LETTING US DOWN. THINK THIS WAY, THE LOUDEST DISATISFACTION WAS HEARD WNEN CAMMY WAS DEALT FOR NADY, MILLEDGE FOR CHURCH/SCHNEIDER, CHURCH FOR FRENCHY. IT WASN’T THE BACKS OF THEIR CARDS THAT MADE THEM ALL VALUABLE TO US IT WAS THEIR HEART. MORE OF THOSE TYPE ACQUISITIONS AROUND THE “CORE” & FEWER DEEP RESUME’D CASTILLOS,ALOUS. IF SHOPPING FOR A LF, I WANT ANOTHER FRANCOEUR TYPE MORE THAN A NAME LIKE ORONEZ,DYE,DUNNE(aka KINGMAN2). I WANT MORE UPSIDE THAN BEST BEHIND THEM TYPES. IF NADY HAD FULL 100% HEALTH CLEARANCE, HE’D BE A PERFECT LF ADDITION IN MY OPINION TO JOIN BELTRAN,FRANCHY IN OUTFIELD. PAGAN AS #4. WITH A-HERN’S IMPROVMENT FROM L ABs & IF MURPH ACTUALLY CAN PLAY 3B I’D PREPARE NICE PARTING GIFTS FOR TATIS & CORA USING MURPHY TO B/U 1B,3B & AHERN FOR SS & 2B WITH PAGAN #4 OF. ASSUMING MINIMAL SPENT IN ACQUISITIONS, IF DELGADO CAN ACTUALLY RETURN(.275 20-25HR) I’D OFFER HIM A LOW BASE INCENTIVE LADEN DEAL. IF NOT I’D SHOP FOR LaROCHE WITH MURPH PRIME B/U,LH PHer.
THIS ISN’T AN OPTIMUM STRATEGY; BUT A SURVIVAL ONE
I think what we are all sick of is the straight-up lying by the Wilpons and Omar. Tell us what is going on! The Wilpons keep saying Madoff didn’t steal $700-million. Well, how much did you lose? You say it doesn’t effect operations but there’s proof Mets accounts were involved with Madoff.
They want to fix the minor league system, but we saw how much they spent on that. STOP THE LYING! If the salary dump is being done for a big offseason push, then I can understand the tactic. But right now, given what they did LAST offseason, we fans don’t have a lot of confidence.
So basically Wilpons, the truth will set you free. Stop the lying. What is going on?!
Well,
Fred Wilpon has to take care of his own ass first. As for as us fans? And selling the team for the sake of it’s future? I guess this says it all:
http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/9039/fredwilponfingercopy.jpg
Thanks Colonel, so glad others feel the same way. I think the Mets are not spending alot this offseason, and hopefully the coupons will sell before spring training. If they don’t, not attending games is a real death blow to the Wilpons if done on a large scale. Hey Bayonne, that is just as good as the first one you did with the NY Daily news. But it reall does sum up how the Wilpons and Omar have treated the fans this year. With no respect!!
You didn’t mention that the Mets chose not to release Santana, Reyes, and Wright, resulting in a savings of many millions. Cost-cutting is clearly the order of the day in Flushing.