20
2011
Mets Announce They Will Eliminate St. Lucie Rookie Team
An article by 
According to the NY Post, the Mets will have one less minor league affiliate next season as they seek to cut costs.
The team announced Tuesday it plans to eliminate its rookie team in St. Lucie of the Gulf Coast League.
The Mets will have Rookie teams in Kingsport, Tenn., and in the Dominican Republic.
Mets players who would have spent next season in the Gulf Coast League will be dispersed among Kingsport and the Dominican Republic.
Original Post 3:30 pm
Well this certainly flies against investing more in the minor leagues…
Eliminating an entire minor league affiliate – and one that is more developmental for the kiddie corps. than the higher levels?
Sounds like more than few kids will be rushed a level or two…
But, but, but…
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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It’s one of those rare minor league teams owned and operated by the big league club. Lots of history in Kingsport… I’m curious to hear what happens with that stadium etc. It’s one of those MILB parks that has been around since the 70′s.
The one thing I will say is, not many teams have Rookie league teams PLUS DSL, GCL, or AZL/VSL types PLUS short season
The Mets like the Yankees have 2 Dominican Summer League teams and 1 Gulf Coast Team. Plus a Short-Season A team, but the Mets had an extra Rookie team in Kingsport.
The only teams with a Rookie level team outside of DSL/GCL/AZL/VZL are
Arizona: 1 DSL, 1 AZL, 1 SS
Atlanta: 1 DSL, 1 GCL
CWhiteSox (2): 1 DSL
Cincy: 1 AZL, 1 DSL, 1 VSL
Colorado: 1 DSL, 1 SS
KC (has 2): 1 AZL, 1 DSL
Houston: 1 DSL, 1 GCL, 1 SS
LA Angels: 1 AZL, 1 DSL
LA Dodgers: 1 AZL, 1 DSL
Minnesota: 1 DSL, 1 GCL
Milwaukee: 1 AZL, 1 DSL
Seattle: 1 AZL, 1 DSL, 1 VSL, 1 SS
Tampa: 1 DSL, 1 GCL, 1 VSL, 1 SS
Toronto: 1 DSL, 1 GCL, 1 SS
St Louis: 1 DSL, 1 GCL, 1 SS
The only MLB teams before today that had 3 “summer leagues” like the Mets (DSL1, DSL2, GCL) plus 1 Rookie level, plus 1 Short-Season were
Seattle & Tampa.
I’m not saying the move is a sign of things, but you could also make aserious case that if only 2 other MLB teams are doing it, then maybe money can be put to better use?
You did a much better job at documenting what I was saying up above!
Just because you are doing something that should save money doesn’t mean you are doing it simply because you are broke or cheap. it could be the logical thing to do.
Limited resources, you have to allocate them carefully.
“Sounds like more than few kids will be rushed a level or two…”
Actually, they will more likely stay at the training complex in PSL.
Can’t remember if this was the Mets, but I know I read someplace not long ago (maybe last off season) that there were only a few teams that still had 2 rookie level clubs? or something along those lines.
Not saying it isn’t simply to cut costs, but is it a case of trimming some “fat” (IOW a luxury item that other teams don’t have anyway), as opposed to cutting out something vital?
As to scouts, no, not good cutting them.
Hey, baseball reference to the rescue!
Just poking around, comparing to other teams know for their minors:
as of 2011, the Mets have 2 foreign rookie teams, 2 rookie teams, and short season A.
Braves – 1 foreign, no short season, 1 rookie.
Phils – 1 of each (same as Yankees)
Royals – 3 rookie, 1 foreign, no SSA
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
So interestingly, teams are all over the place. It must have been eliminating SSA ball teams I was thinking of.
so even after this, the Mets have as many rookie/SSA teams as any of these other teams, they are just spread out differently.
It is amazing that anything the Mets do, somebody will defend. Hey, give up on these clowns. They are destroying the team we all love. Its all about the Wilpons and their freakin egos. STOP DEFENDING THEM!!!!! Selig/Wilpon/Katz turning the Mets into the old Brwers one cut at a a time., Must make Selig sick to see the Brewers spend and win now.
my lord, give it a rest.
trying to look at events objectively (in context, aka dealing with reality) and not just running off at the mouth “yelling” at people while having no valid points presented, is actually a good thing, and adds value to the discussion.
It is amazing that no matter what the team does, it is something that is meant to destroy the team…
I don’t like this at all and it’s obviously a reflection of Ownerships’ finances.
Some of those teams you mentioned also have teams in the VSL (Venezuelan Summer League which we shut down in 2008 or so.
One great reason to have a minor league affiliate in as many different leagues as possible is to keep an eye on OTHER TEAMS players.
Now we’re eliminating scouting positions even futhur. Man what’s next, Bats made out of MDF?
Thank you agee! You obviously get it!
Your welcome Joe and thank you for bringing this to our attention. This is a far more significant issue than not signing a Mark Buerhle or a Barry Zito.
For years the Mets have used their Kingsport affiliate not only as an introduction to professional baseball stateside for their young foreign amateurs but they’ve also used it as a place to aclimitize 16, 17 and 18 year old kids to the US and allowed us to have twice as many rookie leagues feeding into Savannah.
One less rookie affiliate can mean only one thing. Less rookies which means less prospects, less chances of getting a pleasant surprise and less chance of a foreign kid not being overwhelmed by a different language and culture.
Improves the ledger at the bottom line though and this is the clearest indication a sale is forthcoming.
What’s your problem… Its just one more case of your lord sandy lying!!!!! Cares so much about the future he shuts down a farm team. I know O know the response will be its the Wilpons fault. Yes it is, but if Sandy was anything other than a puppet he’d tell wilpon to shove the job and walk away. He only wants to be a playa one more time.
That’s the stupidest thing I ever read on here, you think Alderson wants to have one less minor league team to work with? It would be like a piano player cutting off one of his fingers. You are a nut-bag my friend.
Look Chicharon.
Obviously it’s way over your head. If the decree had come down from above by your lord and master you’d be spinning this as if it was merely giving away a “meaningless” draft choice.
Lord and master! You name yourself after your lord and master. You don’t even root for the Mets, you root for your lord and master, Mullah Omar.
You probably have a tatoo of him on your ass.
Totally agree t agee. This is still an important stop in a players developement.We’re now eliminating it and also elminating any advantage we may have had on other teams.Where do these players go besides taking batting practice in extended spring training. Their finances are so screwed up I’m afraid to hear what’s next.Bypassing the first 25 rounds of the draft cause they can’t pay the signing bonuses? Wilpon please get the fug out.
Joe almost nothing would surprise me after reading this one. Buffalo is kind of superflous when you think about it too. We could just stash emergency depth in Binghamton. Substitute oranges for baseball’s in BP and borrow the home teams road uniforms when we travel.
I’m not sure that saying we had an advantage is accurate. When was the last time we developed a blue chip, can’t miss prospect that actually made it? We have had some of the worst ranked farm systems for many years. I, for one plan to give this front office a legitimate chance. Not just one + financially strapped and constantly changing season. The Wilpons are a different story. They are a Joke and make being a Met fan feel like being a leper. When people ask me who I root for I feel like I’m about to tell a racist joke, I have to look over both my shoulders and then mutter under my breath that “I’m a Mets Fan” Thanks Fred, Jeff, and Saul!
Why am I not surprised by the “this is nothing, we still have plenty of affiliates” brigade? Is anybody paying any attention to what is going on? Some of you need to remove your blinders and stop smoking whatever the Mets are sticking in your pipe.
No one has said this isn’t due to the money problems. Some people merely choose to look at the whole picture. The Mets have more minor league affiliates than most teams.
Personally, I like having as many minor league affiliates as possible. It offers more opportunities to develop talent and give prospects more focused attention. It also builds fan loyalty in other areas.
But, if the money is tight, then you cut some of the unnecessary spending, like superfluous minor league affiliates.
And scouts. We’ve been cheaping out on the scouting budget when we flush with cash, now we’re cutting back even further.
That’s gonna help.
I just heard it could be St. Lucie too or instead of Kingsport.
Can’t be that’s where our ST camp is, they’d have to keep it open anyway.
I agree it would be weird but WFAN said theyre getting rid of Florida affiliate but unclear which one yet.
Man this franchise is like Lenny Dykstra’s house after he sold all the furniture.
NY Times: Mets likely to dump Gulf Coast rookie league team Those teams typically cost $800,000 a year to operate.
I’m shocked that they’re doing this for such a tiny savings in the grand scheme of things.
I had the Wilpons over for dinner, and when they went home, the silverware was missing.
You should check your house again. I’ll bet there’s a lot more missing!
As one who enjoys following all the affiliates games and recaps during the season, let me just say this sucks. I guess we’ll now see many high school draft picks starting in Brooklyn rather than Kingsport.
oh they won’t send those HS kids to Brooklyn… Brooklyn has to win… The old man thinks they are the Dodgers.
The Mets are a classic example of a business getting ready to file bankruptcy. These are the things done to try and save the business as a last resort and if it doesn’t work, bankruptcy becomes the remedy. Most of the time it doesn’t work because you actually destroy your property to try and save it. The Mets will declare bankruptcy before the ’12 season ends. You can take that to the bank, or should I say the bankruptcy judge.
I agree that it has all the earmarks. Key really is avoiding long term deals.
and actually, the team is worth more with a lousy ML roster, since they have a lot lower overhead to carry. Plus no need to screw around with clearing out the dead wood. New owners can come in, and build what they want, unencumbered by inherited LT deals.
The Mets are simply consolidating their minor leagues which is something they should have done a long time ago. It’s not like all these extra affiliates they maintained have provided anything worth bragging about in the last decade. Good move by the Mets.
I have to say I really find Puma one of the least reliable media persons around. I just personally care very little for anything he writes. He says one thing turns out is another. At least this time he was in the same ballpark (no pun intended).
So the Mets went from 4 rookie teams to 3. That leaves only the Reds, Royals, Mariners and Rays with 4 rookie affiliates.
It is going to be interesting waiting for that final shoe to drop if it ever comes.
Since the topic is minor league teams. Here is something to keep an eye on as well I suppose. The growing concern of teams leaving to go to the Cactus League. I read an article last Spring on it but with the latest news it may become relevant in the coming year or two.
Spring training exodus raises concerns about Mets’ future in Port St. Lucie
tcpalm.com/news/2011/mar/28/spring-training-exodus-raises-concerns-about-in/
Here is the National concern on the same subject.
Mark Lerner on Nationals spring training site: ‘We have no choice but to look at our options
washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/mark-lerner-on-nationals-spring-training-site-we-have-no-choice-but-to-look-at-our-options/2011/03/20/ABZH2X1_blog.html
Jorge Arangure, who does an excellent job covering international baseball for ESPN, also said earlier today that the Mets may now consider leasing parts of their baseball academy that they spent $12 million building to other MLB teams to get some revenue out of it.
Unbelivable.
I recall seeing that. Supposedly it’s one of the better facilities in the D.R. At $12M one would hope it is.
for 12mill, you should get a small (medium?) town down there!
LMAO some of the tweets with the #WilponsNewCostCuttingMoves are just too funny.
Paul J. Festa
Mr. Met’s head to be reduced by 20%. #WilponsNewCostCuttingMoves
Jed Smedredroved
Shake Shack to be replaced with White Castle #WilponsNewCostCuttingMoves
Mets Merized Online
The real reason Wilpons removed dropshadow from new Mets uniforms was, it saved them about $200 in material. #WilponsNewCostCuttingMoves
“One has to wonder if Mets continue to have $ problems whether they would sell or rent out space in their expensive DR facility”
That was what he actually said. He was speculating, not relating something he heard.
When Sandy Koufax comes to spring training this year, me thinks Fred will raffle off interviews with him.
I guess Jeffie won’t be getting the puppy or the shiny new fire truck he wanted.
st. lucie makes more sense. Wasn’t there an issue anyway (same as with ST) of not having teams in the area? Maybe not as significant though with a regular season league. I assume the logic is to keep some guys that otherwise would have been spare parts back in extended ST? Basically just scrimmage a lot?
unless they just decide to suddenly have 25 or so fewer players in the organization.
Anyway, since a lot of other teams have the same # of affiliates that the mets now will (and a good 40% of teams have 1 less), they must have some way of keeping all their prospects active.
Who knows, maybe the rawer kids benefit more from a structured, intense, training program as opposed to riding the bus around the deep south for a year?
OK, Does anyone know which team is actually being cut? The Mets announced they will not field a rookie team in the Gufl Coast League. What team is that? The Mets announcement does not mention a specific team. The Port St Lucie Mets are not a Rookie team, they are an A team. The Port St Lucie Mets are in the Florida League, not the Gulf Coast League. So again, my question is: Which team has been cut in the Mets Minor League System? Does anyone actually know? How did this get to be the St Lucie Mets that gets cut?
I thought it was the Gulf Coast League Mets?
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t468
Thanks for the reply. Does that team play in Port St Lucie? If not, where do they play? I am familiar with the Port St Lucie Mets, but not this Gulf Coast Rookie League team.
I’m not sure but I believe they play in Digital Domain Park.
The High A team is not the only affiliate there. The Gulf coast is a rookie league (one of several the Mets have affiliates in).
The Port Saint Lucie Complex is pretty big.
OK Thanks. I’ve attended A team games when in Florida and would be really disappointed if they were gone. I’ve been less aware of the Rookie team that plays there as well. The announcement by the Mets could have been more definitive to communicate which team was actually cut. But then, it’s the Mets and why should we expect clear communications? Thanks for clearing that up. Now I understand it and am less concerned than before.