10
2011
Rubin Asks All The Right Questions In Interview With Alderson
An article by Hojo's Mojo
Adam Rubin of ESPN New York had an exclusive conversation with Sandy Alderson over which a number of important topics were discussed. Here are just a few highlights of his full transcript which I would consider a must-read for Mets fans as it does clear the air of some of the smoke surrounding the Mets offseason.
You’ve wanted to maintain flexibility for spending in future offseasons. Would that preclude a multi-year deal for any of those arbitration-eligible players?
“I wouldn’t rule that out necessarily. Certainly we want to maintain flexibility for next year, but we also want to have flexibility in solving some of the issues we face this year. I wouldn’t entirely rule that possibility out.”
But just based on your statement that there had been “little negotiation” in advance of numbers being exchanged, it’s not something that is overly likely, is a fair way to characterize it?
“No, I wouldn’t say so. Again, we’re not looking to do multi-year deals as a way of solving arbitration differences, or differences that arise in the arbitration process. But it’s always a possibility.”
There have been conflicting reports about whether there has been an offer made to Chris Young. With Young and Jeff Francis, is that semantics, in a way, because each side has an understanding of where the other wants to go, even if it’s not officially an offer? Or has there been anything formal?
“Over the last several weeks, before and after the Capuano signing, we’ve had conversations with agents for other pitchers. I wouldn’t characterize where we are in most of those cases as beyond the discussion stage. Through this point, we’ve been having discussions with a variety of possibilities.”
Has anyone gone to see Oliver Perez in person pitch in Mexico, whether you or Terry Collins or Dan Warthen?
“Nobody has gone yet. That hasn’t materialized, and it may not at this point. Just with the shortage of time and other priorities. But it’s still possible.”
When he goes to camp, I know it’s partially, or maybe mostly, Terry Collins’ say, but is Oliver solely vying for a bullpen role? Or would he get consideration/work as a starter?
“I think that’s something that will be discussed between Terry and Oliver, and will be something that will certainly be determined before spring training gets into full swing. But that’s a conversation that needs to take place between Ollie and Terry, and I’m sure will take place.”
With the remainder of the bench, I presumed — I believe correctly — that Chin-lung Hu’s role would be as a backup middle infielder, not directly in the second base competition. Is that correct?
“I think that’s the likely result. I think we view him as a very capable defensive shortstop, and provides us some insurance there, as well as at second base — maybe late-inning defense at second, given what we have there at the moment, and foreseeably what we will have there at beginning of spring training. I think that’s the likely role for him. We’ll let spring training play out.”
Given that you gave up an upper-level minor league pitcher (Mike Antonini), and given that Hu is out of options, the acquisition was made with the mindset that he would probably be the guy to emerge in that role (as opposed to Luis Hernandez)?
“Yep.”
In terms of second base, Luis Castillo — in addition to Oliver Perez — is a lightning rod for the fan base. If Castillo does not win the second base job, is there another role for him on this team? He does not have a lot of pop, or run-producing ability as a pinch-hitter. And I don’t know that he’s capable of playing multiple positions. Is it kind of second base or bust for him?
“Well, that’s certainly his best role on the team. If he’s going to be on the club, it probably will have to be as the regular second baseman, or somebody who plays quite a bit of the time at second base. He just doesn’t give us enough coverage other places to play a utility role. So I would say he needs to have a role on the team. And I think that’s probably his best and maybe only role — regular duty at second base.”
Will Daniel Murphy exclusively play second base in spring training until it is determined whether he is the starter there? Or would he be exposed right away to first base, third base, left field as well, so that he could be fully prepared to be the versatile lefty hitter off the bench if he does not win the second base job?
“That’s something Terry will have to decide — how to allocate his at-bats and his playing time. As you know, we’ve got a number of candidates there. He’s certainly one of them. We’ve got two right-handed-hitting candidates: [Justin] Turner and [Brad] Emaus. They can also play some third base. We’ll see how it plays out. But I think one of the issues for us is we need to get a good look at Murphy at second base as opposed to Emaus and Turner. We know they can play second. We’ve got a good sense of their abilities. But, very definitely, we need to have a better sense of what Murphy can do there. So I’m sure he’ll get lots of playing time there. But that’s up to Terry to decide.”
Johan Santana’s timetable for picking up a baseball and tossing following shoulder surgery had been moved up to early January. Has that occurred yet? Is it imminent?
“I think he’s supposed to be seen by doctors this week or next — maybe this week — to get a clearance to do that. So I would expect once he obtains that clearance he will go ahead and start throwing. I don’t think that has occurred yet.”
Would you agree that the decision with Jose Reyes will be the first major player decision of your tenure? I mean, Jose is the longest-tenured Met. He has meant a lot to the organization.
“I don’t know. I consider every player acquisition to be a significant decision. Right now, we’re focused on the 2011 season. Each of these player acquisitions that we make is important. That’s where my attention is placed at the moment. Certainly what happens with Jose in the future will be the subject of conversation and important to the future of the franchise one way or the other.”
This only about half of the transcript and you should try and read the rest of it here.
I’m glad he addressed that rumored Chris Young offer which as I said originally sounded very fishy to me. As we correctly surmised here on MMO, the newly acquire Hu is virtually a lock for the utility infielder spot leaving Castillo in a earn the 2B job or you get cut scenario. There are no pending offers floating around regardless of what you may have read elsewhere. There is still a great hesitation in offering any multi-year deals even in the cases of avoiding arbitration with Pagan, Pelfrey and Dickey.
Rubin continues to do an outstanding job of covering the Mets like no other and keeping us grounded in what’s really going on with the Mets.
About the Author: Rob Johnson
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NL East Standings
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 24 | 18 | .571 | - |
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| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 32 | .256 | 13.5 |
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Move over C. Samuels Hello K. Kierst.
If all he is looking to spend on a starting pitcher is the same $1.5 million as Capuano, you can pretty much rule out Chris Young who is asking for 3M and Francis who is seeking 4M. This interview was full of a lot of stuff to digest, but the most important part was the recurring team that they have no monet to spend for this season and that they are even pinching pennies for 2012 which comes as a surprise to me.
Do me a favor and point to the quote about pinching pennies for 2012. I want to be sure I know what exactly your referring to.
In his responses to multi year deals for arbitration players as well as his response to the reyes questions, it seems to me that cutting spending is not just a 2011 concern but a 2012 concern as well.
flexibility is the real goal. that gives them the option of pending or not spending, and what to spend it on.
but beyond money, what it really means is they will not be tied down to player commitments, so they will have maximum flexibility to change the roster. And that is about way more than cutting the payroll.
Flexibility is always a key ingredient for a GM. If we weren’t so hamstrung by Castillo’s contract we could have improved 2B numerous different ways each year. Same with Perez. We could have signed 3 starting pitchers with that kind of money, anyone of whom could have given us what Perez did before while the others provided depth and the two picks Perez would have left behind could have provided two more starting pitchers down the road.
It’s not about getting a guy for every position, it’s about getting the right guy for every position. Sometimes you have to wait a year or two to get the right one but that is much better than signing and having to live with the wrong guy.
I agree totally with your last line. Instead of forcing a bad fit (like, overpaying for Ollie or slappy because you have to get someone, or “there was no one else”) sometimes you just have to accept market forces, and get a temp filler guy and wait until a better fit pops up.
You’ve wanted to maintain flexibility for spending in future offseasons. Would that preclude a multi-year deal for any of those arbitration-eligible players?
“I wouldn’t rule that out necessarily. Certainly we want to maintain flexibility for next year, but we also want to have flexibility in solving some of the issues we face this year. I wouldn’t entirely rule that possibility out.”
____________________________________
But just based on your statement that there had been “little negotiation” in advance of numbers being exchanged, it’s not something that is overly likely, is a fair way to characterize it?
“No, I wouldn’t say so. Again, we’re not looking to do multi-year deals as a way of solving arbitration differences, or differences that arise in the arbitration process. But it’s always a possibility.”
____________________________________
Would you agree that the decision with Jose Reyes will be the first major player decision of your tenure? I mean, Jose is the longest-tenured Met. He has meant a lot to the organization.
“I don’t know. I consider every player acquisition to be a significant decision. Right now, we’re focused on the 2011 season. Each of these player acquisitions that we make is important. That’s where my attention is placed at the moment. Certainly what happens with Jose in the future will be the subject of conversation and important to the future of the franchise one way or the other.”
____________________________________
I guess these are what your referring to?
If so then I don’t see where he is suggesting cutting spending in 2012.
So I take it that the Mets didnt really ask Jeff Francis for his medical records or made Chris Young an offer? Only had discussions? From some of the stuff Ive read lately its like these guys are already in the rotation. This weekend Metsblog had Young in the rotation and Capuano in the bullpen to minimize his innings. Before the weekend they reported that his sources said starting pitching signing was imminent. It’s Monday and still nothing. Only discussions?
I am no fan of Metsblog but to say they said they had young in the rotation is untrue. They merely reported that there was a buzz that it looked like Young was going to sign and they based it on 2 links one from meetthematts and the other from citislickers i believe.
Im a regular over there and I know what I read.
http://www.metsblog.com/2011/01/07/twitter-qa-what-is-rotation-as-of-today/
Twitter Q&A: What is rotation as of today?
“Mike Pelfrey, RA Dickey and Jon Niese, followed by some combination of Chris Young or Jeff Francis, and Dillon Gee or Chris Capuano,…”
No doubt you know how to read but if you interpret “followed by some combination of” as Cerrone saying Young will be as opposed to what possibly could be then I will just say I don’t view this as Cerrone saying Young will be in the rotation.
Either do I and I would be sure that the medical records would have had to be examined before talks could even really begin. After all how do you decide if your even interested without knowing how the very thing that has made Young and Francis available in the first place is progressing.
If Adam Rubin were as good as you’re making him out to be, he would have had a job in the Mets front office by now!
Now, now!
He accomplished the first step — Omar is gone.
Now for the rest of the plan… he he he
Hey maybe he already has a job in the front office. How come he gets this kind of access and none of the other beat writers havent?
Let the games begin, in Spring Training and we then will see what we have in pitching and offense. Mets fans dont dispair as this team isnt that bad and we may be surprised at the results. Sandy and Terry now what they have and how to use them. Give them a chance.
Sorry word should be “know what they have”
Love the Mets.
GUHHHHHHHHHH
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