6
2011
Keeping Reyes Was Always Just A Pipedream
An article by 
General manager Sandy Alderson, on WFAN today, equated the Jose Reyes departure to that “of losing somebody after a long illness … you can prepare for it, but when it happens it is a hard thing to accept.’’
With Alderson forecasting a $100-million payroll for 2012, Reyes would have been an injury risk they couldn’t afford, no matter how popular he was with the dwindling fan base.
It is team sport sure, but it can’t be forgotten the Mets only reached the playoffs one time in Reyes’ nine seasons with the team.
“I’ve been saying from the first day that the payroll was too high to sustain at the current levels of revenue,’’ Alderson said.
Signing Reyes for the $17.7 million he’ll get from the Marlins, plus the $24 million due Johan Santana, plus the $16 million for Jason Bay and $15 million for David Wright would have added up to $72.7 tied up for four players. As it is, the Mets will pay $55 million for three players, one of which – Santana – they don’t know what they’ll get.
With the Mets losing $70 million last season – that’s what they say, but they haven’t opened their books – and their debt on Citi Field and from loans taken against the team and SNY which total over $1.4 billion, it was clear keeping Reyes would have been a pipedream.
Yes, teams with contracts of near $100 million can win. The Cardinals’ payroll last year was $109 million and the Giants’ in 2010 was $96.2 million. So, it can be done.
Doing so takes building from the farm system, making prudent trades and free-agent signings, signing the right players to long-term deals and avoiding the financial anchors the Mets have had in Oliver Perez, Jason Bay, Luis Castillo and Francisco Rodriguez.
It also entails being lucky and healthy.
Obviously, the Mets haven’t been any of those things for years, and it could be years before we do.
Perhaps the most telling thing Alderson said was, “Mets fans have been resilient and hopefully will be again.’’
About the Author: John Delcos
I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.
40 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 25 | 18 | .581 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 21 | .523 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 21 | 23 | .477 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 17 | 24 | .415 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 12 | 32 | .273 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/19/2013
Recent Comments
- El Sid: on Reds vs Mets: Marcum Takes The Hill, Ankiel Batting Second, Duda Cleanup: We always hear about "tools" in baseball....
- BadBadLeroyBrown: on Sacking Terry Collins Now Would Be Unfair: of course he wanted to retain Omar...
- Hitman: on Mets Sign RHP David Aardsma To Minors Deal: Agreed. Never liked the idea of having...
- Edward: on Sacking Terry Collins Now Would Be Unfair: After tonight's win, we'll only be six...
- Hawk: on Reds vs Mets: Marcum Takes The Hill, Ankiel Batting Second, Duda Cleanup: Collins is a disaster and anyone who...
MMO Mets Chat
Need Tickets To The Mets Game?
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
5365 Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1269 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
John,
One thing that makes me curious is this statement
“I’ve been saying from the first day that the payroll was too high to sustain at the current levels of revenue,’’ Alderson said.
There’s a sense that when the Mets win, we flock to the stadium… but in 2006 San Diego, Philly, Detroit, Dodgers, White Sox, Cards, Astros, Yanks, Giants, Angels, Cubs and Red Sox all filled their stadium at a higher rate than the Mets did.
Now granted, some them had smaller stadiums, I’m not denying that. But when this team was at its peak, the stadium was 75% full for the year.
You shift to 2007, they were at 82% and spending about $14mil more on talent without making the playoffs.
Shift to 2008 and you jump to 89% which in some ways can be attributed to a goodbye Shea mentality but attendance rose 7% and payroll jumped from $115 to $137
I still contend the dramatic drop in attendance from 2009 to 2010 paired with the $120+ mil payroll is what got the Mets in trouble (outside of things like Madoff)
In 2009 you had a brand new stadium filled 92% on average and in just 1 year it dropped down to 77%.
That is a DRAMATIC drop and when you’re paying $126mil for a team that nobody is coming to see and you’re not winning, it starts to dig a hole. That’s what people aren’t getting here.
Spare me this idea that if the mets go get some big free agent you’ll (not you John, generic mets fan) come to the park. Was Jason Bay not a big investment? There’s no way you knew in January 2010 he’d be what he is today.
Yet the year they signed him attendance dropped 15%! The team invested more $ and the fans invested less.
If the Mets went out and signed Reyes to 6y/107 million dollars they’d still be in the low 70′s at best in capacity! You know it’s true. Reyes signing with the Mets wouldn’t make you go to more games than you did in 2011, him leaving may make you go to less but when you’re slashing payroll that sting hurts less.
You know, aaron harang who’s a good pitcher just signed for 2 years at $6 million per, yet our GM wants to give $5 million to a horredous piece of crap like pelfrey. that should tell you ALL you need to know about our “genius” GM.
Again Harang made it clear last off-season he wanted to stay on the west coast. I’m not sure why we keep bringing him up. Unless the Mets relocate to California, they likely weren’t of interest to Harang.
Actually there isn’t a player around who is interested in coming to the Mets except to save his career after being rejected by the other 29 clubs.
Hey, 2 NY teams have already done the Cali move (Dodgers/Giants) in the past. Say the Sacramento Mets? San Jose Los Mets? Monterray Mets? lol
haha yeah “in an attempt to sign Aaron Harang we have relocated to San Jose”
next week Roy Oswalt wants middle america
“in an attempt to sign Roy Oswalt we have relocated to Kansas, our apologies to Mr. Harang”
I liked Harang, however, you do know that he said he had no desire to play anywhere but the West Coast right? You also realize that from 2008-2010 his numbers were worse than Pelfrey.
Why do you think that Sandy Alderson wants to give Mike Pelfrey 6 million dollars? If he could get a better pitcher he would, but nobody wants him in a trade or else he’s be gone already. Unfortunately, Sandy has inherited some dead wood that nobody else wants. Pelfrey has the physical talent but has not shown the maturity and guts to elevate his game yet in order to go out and give the team 25 or more quality starts per year. There is always hope although I personally don’t think that New York is the right place for Pelfrey.
A GM can’t do the job like he is playing scrabble. You can’t throw in all of your players at once and get new ones!
Rockies to acquire RHP Kevin Slowey from Twins for player to be named … ”
so, alderson couldn’t even called either?? what’s the excuse now, kevin slowey express his desire to pitch in colorado??? LOL. you people make me sick, i don’t get it, what exactly is to like about a GM who does nothing for the franchise we love!!!!???
I guess I didn’t realize an 0-8 6.67 ERA in 2011 was what you desired Alex. He was injured much of last year, if Alderson acquired him you’d be all over him for it. The guy hasn’t even pitched more than 160 innings in a season but you want him in the starting rotation instead of who exactly? That was in 2008….
The Mets had unbelieveable health in the starting rotation last year for guys in uniform so your plan is to what? Get a guy
He can’t win with you no matter what. Every player who signs somewhere you’ll be like “why didn’t the Mets get him?” It doesn’t matter if its Blanco, Slowey, Harang…
Next thing I’ll see is “Kaz Matsui signs with…” “What’s wrong with Alderson he couldn’t sign Kaz!?”
Point is, the man is not doing his job, he sucks as a GM and we should all finally come to terms to just admit he’s here to help the wilpons fix their financial issues as a favor to the commissioner. is better to admit that than anything else, because as a GM, he’s been by far, and is not even close, the WORST GM in the history of the new york mets.. hell, i even asked my father if there was a GM as bad as him in NY.. he told me, NO…
Oh well then your father has spoken, so why even discuss.
Ask your father how many times the Mets were bleeding money when the other GMs had their job and get back to me?
I’m not denying part of his job is to fix this horrendous financial mess. I’m also not denying how that mess occured. It wasn’t just Bernie Madoff.
Jesse, for once, please, stop trying to debate anything, can’t you see in the mirror?? the man is not here to win or anything like that… hell, you were demandind answers and now you’re defending him?? he’s been the WORST gm i’ve seen in my life, and i’ve pretty much seen all GM’s in mets organization and how they’ve operated.. come on man..
68: Since you like to put words in my mouth, here is exactly word for word what I said in that post
“After this season, I’d like for Sandy Alderson along with the Wilpon’s to stand at a podium and tell us all what the plan is. I am a patient guy, but I need to know what I’m waiting for and for how long. How bad are things really? I don’t BLAME Alderson like others do. I believe his job is to HELP whatever problems may exist within this organization. Those problems existed BEFORE he ever got the job. However, after two years go by, I believe we all deserve some answers on the future of this organization.”
I didn’t demand or stomp my feet like you do. I said after this season, I’d like a clearer picture of what the future holds.
In case you haven’t realized, this season has not happened yet
again, this season has not happened yet.. same team, except, now he’s got more holes to fill, and if tejada (God Forbid) don’t pan out or plain suck, then what? another hole for NEXT YEAR…
No, the point is you are just going to complain at every deal no done by the Mets and then trash the ones that are.
” to just admit he’s here to help the wilpons fix their financial issues as a favor to the commissioner.”
Ya, as opposed to what? Going about it they way they were before?
Are there not financial problems?
Are said problems not impeding the Mets from retaining or otherwise acquiring big free agents?
Here’s another question no one has ever answered:
If the whole point of this was tio strip the Mets clean of talent and move on, why bring in Alderson? Why bring on Ricciardi and Depodesta? Couldn’t Ricco or some MLB bagman have done the job just as well? Minaya wasn’t some big name when he was sent to Montreal.
Is it possible that Alderson is seen as a guy who not only can get the financial situation udner control, but also restructure the Mets so they could in fact be sustainable winners after the big contracts are gone and the finances are in order?
i posted an article this morning about how adlerson should stop trying to avoided and go into full on moneyball mode, is pretty much what he’s doing but not to the fullest because he knows he’ll get ridicule, but look at his actions and tell yourself if he isn’t? signing oft injured players who noone else will give them a chance, acquirng rule V players and signing a bunch of old or just about done players to minor league deals.. sounds like the A’s except the pitching…
you never read the book. Do you realize why that makes you unfit to compare it current circumstances?
And, by the way, you haven’t addressed any of the points I made.
It’s crazy- even without Ollie, Beltran, Castillo, K-Rod & Reyes, the Mets still have payroll problems. Especially in 2013 where just Santana, Bay & Wright will cost the Wilpons & Mets a combined 68.125MM between their salaries, Bay’s prorated signing bonus and Santana’s & Bay’s buyout options for 2014. That’s how much the Mets were over their head in expensive players.
Right Sach. You can’t operate like that, especially when the fans abandon you the second there’s trouble like in 2010. People here act like we’re similar to Cubs fans and go to games no matter what. That’s simply far from the truth.
2010 saw a huuuuge drop in attendance, and you can’t commit to longterm deals like Johan or what Reyes wanted if at the 1st sign of trouble your revenue producers ditch you.
People act like small market teams want nothing to do with winning. The Padres didn’t trade AGone because they don’t wanna win, they did it because even when they had him they made it to 2 playoffs and in their 2nd straight playoff appearance their attendance actually DROPPED from 83% to 77%
In 2010, that team won 90 games and was in the playoff picture until Game 160 and you know how full their stadium was for the year?
62%!
How could they afford what the Red Sox paid AGone if when the team is 90-72 they can’t come close to filling their park?
In 2010 it was 62% with 90 wins and AGone.
In 2011 winning 71 games, almost a complete reversal… and no AGone, guess what their attendance average was?
62%.
So people love to think executives have this master plan to get payroll down so low, but the truth is, the fans are partially to blame as well. I’m not saying price of tickets or any of that are not an impact.
I am saying, you can sit at home and complain the Mets didn’t bring Reyes back but if they did, would the Mets revenues INCREASE to dig them out of the hole? No.
Somebody (probably a guy like alex or somebody like it) said Beane wanted to move the A’s to San Jose because its cheaper. First, obviously Beane is GM not Owner but you know why they want to move and why they don’t spend $100mil+?
2001, they won 102 games. Attendance? 60%.
2002 they won 103 games, Attendance? 61%.
If you as a fan can’t commit to show up at a ballpark for 100+ win teams than why should the owners go above and behind in payroll? 2 way street friends. It’s the same argument in Tampa.
Jesse no matter how well you explain it some just don’t have the mental capacity to understand the economics of modern day baseball.It’s really a small % of Met fans that don’t get it,only it seems like that small % all post daily on this site.
wow- acc. to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the Cards do not expect to get an opportunity to match or beat an offer from another team before Pujols accepts. It seems like another Reyes situation is developing with Albert, the Marlins & Cards where the Cards have drawn a line just how far they’ll go with Albert and where Albert might be getting disgusted and frustrated with the Cards.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/12/05/coutinho-dont-blame-sandy-for-the-exodus-of-jose-reyes/
Thanks for the link Kay.This will still be ignored by the you know who crew.
Joe Diaz, yes it has been ignored… another sandy apologist.. most of you are still drinking the kool aid, and to me that is mind boggling…
Apologist- most overly used word and incorrectly too!!!!!
Usually made by people that want facts but when presented with them refute them.
Call others liars while lying about it!!!
Best part of being called an apologist wrongly is I posted a link from a professional writer not even my words! Hahahahahahahah
while you at it, look this word up for me: BAITER.
Well since you use that incorrectly too I will leave that up to you.
Show me specifics of how I am the baiter around here. .Posting a link? Asking you to back up claims with facts? Is that a baiter?
So I wonder if The Mets will be in a position to take on Reyes contract during the Marlin firesale that is inevitable in 2-3 years. Just saying.
Reyes didn’t even take a no trade clause (Miami doesn’t give no trade protection which is the stand still with Albert)
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/marlins/story/2011-12-05/SEC-Marlins-stadium/51654958/1
Yeah I figured that. I don’t know exactly how long it will be until they distmantle their team but if I had to guess it would be three years. If they land Pujols it could be two.
I saw this article Saturday. I thought it may have an impact on their free agent signings. It may be why they made sure thay got Bell and Reyes in the fold immediately after this story broke.
It may sound crazy but if I was a MArlin fan this wouldn’t worry me. These kind of investigations are a kind of formality. This may seem a tad callus but I am assuming that the Fed is upset because they aren’t getting their cut so fines will be issued for infractions that were known to occur. As far as how this effects us as Mets fans I stand pat in saying that Loria will do what it takes to make a push for 2012 or 13 and then dismantle the high priced talent. You can only do this so many times before it is expected of you. Maybe the new venue will be able to support a higher payroll while maintaining the profits that are expected but I somehow doubt it.
Just think about how bad the Cards’ fans will feel if and when they lose Pujols to the Marlins….
A little song about Jose Reyes and the Mets….
(Sung to the tune of “Jose!, Jose! Jose!”)….
We’re not gonna sign Jose!
No way, no way!
The fans will all be going away!
No way, no way!
Barely enough to pay J. Bay!
No way, no way!
We’ll put the fans thru Hell!
No way, no way!
Saul, Fred and Jeff, Please sell…
Bye, Bye, Jose…..
If keeping Reyes was a pipedream the fact that Alderson didn’t trade him is completely unacceptable. I can’t believe he is not getting more heat for this. What, he’s a well spoken guy, he makes an excuse and oh its ok Sandy, no furthur questions, jeeze..MAJOR botch job imo,,than again this was prpbably about the Wilpons money also..lol
WHAT I SO TOUGH TO FIGURE OUT HERE FOLKS?
THE WILPON’S ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE FINANCIALLY AND UNTIL THAT SITUATION IMPROVES WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE A GOOD TEAM.
SANDY ALDERSON may or may not have been brought in by the Wilpon’s just to fix the financial situation but regardless until it is fixed or the team is sold…. we are not winning anything.
I love the Mets and have been there since day one in 1962. Right now. I am very disappointed but by opening day I will be anxiously watching for signs of improvement and the changes that will hopefully get us on the right track. One thing is evident for sure. Despite the financial problems in existence, ownership knows the money that can be made once the current situation is over. Owning the Mets can be a CASH COW or else they would be anxious to sell and believe me there are investors galore who would shell out a zillion bucks to own the team…..