The Morning Grind: Kumbaya vs. Devil’s Advocate

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• XtreemIcon December 11, 2011 at 12:15 pm

  “Is there something wrong with holding a GM or anyone accountable for what they say in public as compared to what their actions say? Am I a Mets hater for simply pointing that out whenever it occurs?”

  Of course not, but one has to understand that a GMs job is to publically pretend everything is “kumbaya,” regardless of what’s actually happening. It does the franchise no good to say that there’s no hope for the immediate future. But while most fans are intelligent enough to read between the lines and actually see that, there’s always a few people who actually believe the Mets aren’t punting and think Frank Francisco is the key to a Wild Card.

  To those folks, I say enjoy the ride. No reason to rain on their parade if they really enjoy going to Mets games regardless of the standings. Besides, the Mets need as much revenue as they can get.

  But I also think it’s wrong to get on a GMs case for saying something while doing the opposite. That’s just his job. Sandy’s not a “liar.” He’s the general manager of a failing franchise.
  • Joe D December 11, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    I completely agree. I’ve said it many times before in fact I’ll have to dig it up on my Twitter, but maybe Bayonne could verify it. Last week he tweeted something about Alderson lying about Mets troubles to Michael Baron I believe, and I responded back that it was Alderson’s job to be an ambassador for the team and he has the unfortunate job of being one for a bad team in a financial mess. In that regard I actually feel bad for Alderson, I told him. So yes, I get that.

    But my point goes to the essence of what Mets blogging is and should be, which is to play Devil’s advocate and stir up a good debate. I never recall such resistance to doing that since Alderson became a GM. I did this all the time with Minaya as well as Phillips and Duquette before him, and I do not recall such backlash before. There’s something different at play here and I’m still trying to figure out what it is.
    • XtreemIcon December 11, 2011 at 12:32 pm

      You’re right about the blogging. I never once entertained the thought of reading MetsBlog, as I have no desire to read something sponsored/related/regulated/endorsed/etc. by SNY. I don’t want to read a Mets shill. This is the only site I read for Mets opinions (like you said, I can get my news anywhere).
    • Seligman December 11, 2011 at 12:41 pm

      I don’t think there is anything at play here other than you probably have increased your readership a great deal since 2005 so you get more hate email. than ever before, and I’m sure Twitter wasn’t around back then either and about 100 or so other Mets blogs either.
      • Mr North Jersey December 11, 2011 at 12:44 pm

        Look at it this way. If they hate what you said enough to take the time to write you then they must really like MMO and that is a good thing isn’t it?
  • Metsie December 11, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    Is the GMs job REALLY about snowing the public into thinking everything is great or is his job to MAKE IT GREAT so the fans do not need to be snowed?

    What we have jhere is a GM trying to snow fans into believing he is trying to win when he is not (at least not in the next half decade)

    It’s not his job to paint a rosy picture it is his job to CREATE the team that doesn’t need a PR campaign to draw fans to the seats!

    You do that by building a good team not a good story!
    Keeping good players not trading them or letting them go for good chances at one.
    You do it by making a team WORTH seeing not trying to goad some dumb folks into buying tickets because he might keep David Wright for another 3 months before he trades him for more picks!

    But that is precisely what is happening here!
    We aren’t punting, no you going for it on 4th and 40!
    We aren’t trading Wright this winter (but tune in for the spring and Summer and you might see something…
    We are building a Winner, by trading away anyone who hits above .260 and acquiring Pitchers on one or two year rentals.

    Please! If you can’t spek the truth AND inspire the fans to buy tickets then just shut up already and make the moves you think will inspire them and if you don’t well you better work quick or you will not be here long!

    But this BULL is rather insulting to my intelligence!
    And it should be insulting to your intelligence too!
    • Mr North Jersey December 11, 2011 at 5:54 pm

      We are going in circles.

      If you think that when someone says “I don’t foresee doing x-y-z this Winter” it means something other than they don’t expect to do x-y-z this Winter but are not completely ruling it out and that they are only talking about this Winter. That’s your choice.

      I don’t know how it’s either a lie or a snow job if one can clearly understand that it is saying exactly what it is.

      You want to believe the statement means something other than what it is your in all your right to do so but as far as I am concerned I will continue to maintain that the statement is prett self-explanatory and speaks for itself.

      After that there is not much more I can add to this conversation. We will have to agree to disagree.
      • Metsie December 12, 2011 at 9:42 am

        MNJ it’s saying exactly what it means EXCEPT it found a way to answer NO to a question are you going to trade Wright depite the plan being YES we are going to trade him!

        Two answers work for the same question…

        Are you going to trade David Wright?
        No not this winter (as if the question said anything about seasons)
        or
        Yes but probably not until the Spring or Trade deadline!

        If he was being totally truthful he would have answered Maybe but probably not this Winter.
        That would at least admit to the fans he is really thinking about trading him as opposed to his orgininal NO that is good for another month or two.
        • Mr North Jersey December 12, 2011 at 10:12 am

          I disagree for the reasons I have already stated. When all said said and done the statements speak for themselves. I know you interpret them differently but that doesn’t change what was said. We will have to agree to disagree
          • Metsie December 12, 2011 at 10:22 am

            Well it was a NO with fine print attached….

            I would prefer a more honest MAYBE with no fine print and then if he wanted to say definitly not in Winter at least the honesty of the possibility would be stated!
            • Mr North Jersey December 12, 2011 at 10:29 am

              I understand your point of view. I just disagree.
• srt December 11, 2011 at 12:21 pm

  My opinion:

  Blaming SA is the same as blaming Omar: both misplaced.
  The Fail here is on the Wilpons and solely on the Wilpons.

  The GMs are just employees.

  Anyone who believes SA was hired by the Wilpons and given free reign is not paying attention.
  If it was just about slashing payroll b/c the Wilpons are broke, they could have kept Omar to do that – and saved a couple of MIL.

  Wilpons cut a deal with Selig to try and hold onto this team. One that included SA as GM.

  No other explanation makes sense.
  • Joe D December 11, 2011 at 12:32 pm

    Wilpons cut a deal with Selig to try and hold onto this team. One that included SA as GM.

    100% accurate and I was told this by a friend who works for MLB offices in NY.

    But even though he is a Wilpon lapdog or a Selig attack dog, he makes player personnel moves and there’s nothing wrong with debating the moves, the motivations, and the potential implications.

    People on this site are fortunate in that for every one of my posts there are usually at least two to three others that disagree with me and as whole I think it makes for a well rounded perspective on the state of the Mets. The comments section filled with great feedback from die-hard Mets fans like you bring even more perspective which adds to the experience.

    Now if we can only eliminate the insults for opposing viewpoints that I have to delete from time to time.
    • Ghost of omar December 11, 2011 at 1:20 pm

      Wipons cut a deal with Selig. This is actually the exact reasson why bashing Alderson is in reality being a true Met fan. Wilpon is financially inept and morally inept and because Fred and Bud have a friendship Met fans have to be punished!!!!! Well, like it or not Alderson represents this pathetic game being played at our expense. It is the blind adoration of Alderson that is really Met bashing becuase it demonstrates support for Buddyand Freddy and makes winning unimportant. Why can’t we be like the Dodgers and have Selig force new and hopefully improved ownership upon Dodger fans!!
      • any December 11, 2011 at 1:27 pm

        Why bash Alderson if all he is trying to do is keep the team afloat and built something for the future? Would you rather the team sucks now (being broke) but also wasn’t laying a potential foundation for a few years down the road?

        And I honestly have no idea where these Sandy can do no wrong, he is God, best Gm ever people you keep mentioning are. They sure as hell aren’t hanging out on this site.

        at most, there are people that think you need to give the guy a chance to stabilize the ship and put a plan in place before judging him, and ones that recognize the team’s financial situation is going to tie the hands of any GM.

        Did he make some good moves? Of course. Did he make some duds? Hell yeah. Every GM does. the key is, how long are the duds going to haunt the team, and in this case, not at all.
        • NJstuckinTX December 11, 2011 at 2:56 pm

          Stop making so much sense!
        • Bayonne Mets Fan December 11, 2011 at 9:53 pm

          “And I honestly have no idea where these Sandy can do no wrong, he is God, best Gm ever people you keep mentioning are. They sure as hell aren’t hanging out on this site.”

          I guess you don’t read Craig Lerner’s posts
      • srt December 11, 2011 at 1:43 pm

        Don’t now who has this ‘blind admiration’ you speak of but there’s no sense shooting the messenger – which is all SA is at this point.

        All time low in payroll in years….not much you can do with that right now to improve the team.
    • srt December 11, 2011 at 1:42 pm

      Ha! I’m all for eliminating the insulting that goes on when one has a difference of opinion.

      Great site though and I enjoy the different posts that go up especially when different authors have a different take on issues.
    • FP Mets December 11, 2011 at 5:13 pm

      Bashing the GM and his moves does not make you anti-Mets. It’s actually productive if it’s thought based and supported by research. My problem with the Alderson bashing is it just seems like shooting the messenger. Aim higher.
    • Joe Diaz December 11, 2011 at 7:17 pm

      Yeah JoeD it would be nice if we could eliminate the insults that stem from different view points. You have one guy in particular who can’t have a conversation without spewing nasty insults.He’s always in atttack mode. You have the power to delete those comments,I wish you would use that power to eliminate the repeat offenders.
• Mr North Jersey December 11, 2011 at 12:27 pm

  It’s your blog. You can say what you want. All I would add is it’s OK to create debate by playing Devil’s advocate but by the same token there should be some balance on the items you play Devil’s advocate with. Cause when the trend is done mostly pro or con in either direction it loses it’s effect in my opinion.
  • Joe D December 11, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    Yes, that is the toughest thing to control – the balance. But I do try and stay on top of that as much as I can – even if it means giving Jessep and Craig a kick in the pants whenever I post one of my rants, lol.
    • Mr North Jersey December 11, 2011 at 12:40 pm

      Oh and sorry I just realized I called your site a blog again and I know you have often repeatedly said MMO is a Fan-site.
• Mr North Jersey December 11, 2011 at 12:33 pm

  BTW that is a wicked graphic of the Devil stirring the pot.
  • Mr North Jersey December 11, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    Joe D here is a slight edit on that Devil stirring pot graphic.

    http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l616/MrNorthJersey/RealDirtyMets/Devil-stirring-Mets-Pot.png
• Mack Ade December 11, 2011 at 12:41 pm

  What did I do now:)
• trs86 December 11, 2011 at 12:44 pm

  So why is it that support of Sandy is greater with so much disrespect as well? Again there is indeed two sides to every story and I would say on here it is much more difficult to be a supporter than basher.
  • Nester December 11, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    To be fair, there are 3-4 Alderson bashers here – THE CORE. They know who they are. They also comment more than most, but are certainly not the majority opinion here. Most of us just got tired of fighting with them.
    • francis December 11, 2011 at 6:08 pm

      +1
• nathan December 11, 2011 at 12:54 pm

  I remember some Omar bashing coming under resistance in the begining. Later it just became the way of things. Duquette I bashed from the minute he took the big boy chair. Phillips I didn’t complain much about until later on. The thing with SA is that he is in a precarious spot and I believe in giving a guy time to see what he is doing or I like to bash certain things he does. But I tire of the constant here we go again mentality that is so common amoung the SA detractors. Yes I, as a fan, am ticked at how Jose was handled. I am ticked we handed Rauch 3.5 mil when Dotel was still out and about but hey I was the guy voted for 5 years 85 mil on metsblog as my Jose pay cap.
  • Mr North Jersey December 11, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    I’m glad you mentioned Dotel. I was beginning to think I was alone on the Rauch, Dotel thing. They both signed for the same amount but looking at only 2011 Dotel looks to have had the better season. The only thing I can think was Dotel’s age (38) may have played a significant factor.
    • Mr North Jersey December 11, 2011 at 1:00 pm

      sorry should of read as “played a significant factor in not acquiring Dotel.”
      • any December 11, 2011 at 1:11 pm

        well, the players do have a say in things too. We don’t know if they reached out to Dotel too and he just preferred another offer.
        • Mr North Jersey December 11, 2011 at 1:23 pm

          True, I never considered that.
    • trs86 December 11, 2011 at 1:22 pm

      I would imagine that money the same Dotel would seek championship over reminiscing.
      • any December 11, 2011 at 1:32 pm

        that is a problem that every team that is building, plays in a bad location, or is just at the moment undesirable places. If you want players that are being courted, you are going to have to overpay for them. It isn’t a matter of paying what another team offered, you gotta pay a lot more.

        Same with the whole silliness in the NBA, with Paul and the Lakers. His current team isn’t a place anyone wants to be, so he is on record that he plans to bolt to go to a marquee team.

        and in MLB, look at how many guys flat out say they will only play on the west coast toward the end of their career (garland, Harang). Sure you can try to woo them to NY, but it is going to have to be well over market value offer to get them.
• FL Met Fan Rich December 11, 2011 at 1:06 pm

  We are PUNTING IN 2012 and probably 21013! What I don ‘t understand is how can you RAISE SPRING TRAINING PRICES FOR 2012, while you are. Pitting a double A team on the field?
• any December 11, 2011 at 1:09 pm

  like SRT said above, I think at times too much is being pinned on Sandy alone (moves being some part of his philosophy). In essence, they seem to be saying that Sandy has no interest in winning, and that his idea of “the game” is cutting payroll (finding cheap players, or IOW “moneyballing”).

  Reality though points at the owners, and the financial situation, driving things. I find it hard to believe the Sandy really does have soem bigger budget that he just refuses to spend to make some kind of point about how he is a genius, and is smarter than everyone else.

  It makes perfect sense that he was appointed behind closed doors by MLB to try and shore up the franchise until the Wilpons could (if they can) get the financials straightened out. And this logically would have to include a foray into rebuilding, which probably had to happen anyway just given the way the roster and minors were.

  So, he is doing a balancing act that most GMs probably don’t.

  and the bit about lying, all GMs “lie” (double talk, etc.). Part of the job. They aren’t supposed to lay out all their plans for the fans. You just have to wait and see what happens.

  is he perfect? of course not. is he the worst GM ever? Far from it. Is he a genius? No, and the only people I ever hear that from are his detractors (he sure as hell never said it).

  Would it make people feel better if MLB just took over operations of the team, and appointed Sandy custodian instead, and it can be like when Omar “ran” Montreal? The end result wouldn’t be any better (well, maybe after the team sold, but in the interim).

  I still think that MLB wants to avoid the embarrassment of having to take the Mets through a BK situation too, and quite possibly, the team is so damned upside down that it would take a long time to work through it (so, the league would be in charge for quite a while). So, they are giving the Wilpons a leash to try and save it 1st.

  Odds are, if sterling mets completely collapses, it is going to get much worse before it gets better (as in, don’t expect someone like Cuban to come in a month later and spend wildly on new players!)
  • Ghost of omar December 11, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    Any…. Now finally as to your important question…. Would it make us feel better if MLB took over. The answer of course is YES!!! The end result of course is better or didn’t you check out nthe fact that the ownership group in DC is the richest in the game!!!!!! Lets see, would we want to suck for a few years and end up with ownership that is the richest in the game with a commitment to win, or do we wnat to suck for a few year knowing that the future with the Wilpons means almost constant sucking with a lucky good year or two mixed in. Anfd you have a problem with an owner like Cuban?? Really, a guy who wants to do nothing but win? Your choice is so much better….challenging the Pirates losing streak.
    • Mr North Jersey December 11, 2011 at 1:39 pm

      A lot of speculation here. All I can add is be careful what you wish for. New ownership is no guarantee of better ownership and say what you will about current ownership no one was complaining 5 years ago about them.
    • any December 11, 2011 at 2:33 pm

      you misunderstood the point about Cuban. It was don’t expect MLB to take over, and have a guy like him in place a month later.
  • srt December 11, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    ‘Would it make people feel better if MLB just took over operations of the team, and appointed Sandy custodian instead, and it can be like when Omar “ran” Montreal?’

    >> yeah, no thanks.

    ‘I still think that MLB wants to avoid the embarrassment of having to take the Mets through a BK situation too, and quite possibly, the team is so damned upside down that it would take a long time to work through it (so, the league would be in charge for quite a while). So, they are giving the Wilpons a leash to try and save it 1st.’

    >>Agree 100%. No way does Selig want his legacy in his last year to include a bankrupt NY team and the Wilpons are probably so in debt they can’t sell anyway right now. Their only move would be declaring bankruptcy.
    • any December 11, 2011 at 2:35 pm

      put all that together with the very real possibility that the Wilpons will fight the process, and I get my conclusion that it could make things worse for a long time.

      also, the Dodgers (or at least Mccourt) were already in BK when MLB stepped in. The Wilpons are just strapped, and sure as hell they don’t want to set the precedent of taking over a team every time cash flow gets tight.
• jessep December 11, 2011 at 2:27 pm

  For me, I find most of the Sandy bashing goes over the top. People like myself who ACCEPT his role with the Mets aren’t HAPPY Reyes is a Marlin for example, we’re not HAPPY Alderson didn’t get it done but we accept it and move on. It’s the people who use every thing that happens as a reason to preach an agenda.

  To me, the Rhiner Cruz loss in Rule 5 was a PERFECT example of that. In my life I never ever thought I’d see people log on here and complain about the loss of a guy like Cruz. But it fit an agenda to complain about every. single. thing.

  The Met fan who dislikes Alderson is never ever going to accept his regime here. So they are going to spend their entire time as a fan being negative. The Mets could be good in 2 years and they will always find a way to be negative about him.

  I feel people like myself get a bad rep because I’m not buying a Mets Alderson jersey, I’m just accepting the fact the franchise is in shambles, and that he is the best guy for this job right now because of his experience dealing with franchises in terrible financial situations.

  I don’t read other blogs. I have been accused of being a fan of amazin avenue but I’ve only read it when a specific link has been shown to prove a point. I like that we have different views here and frankly there are only 3-4 people here who turns discussions and debates into personal attacks. When you have to attack people because they view baseball differently, that makes me question maturity.
  • Met Maniac December 11, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    For me, I find most of the Sandy bashing goes over the top.

    How do you find the Omar basing? Is that more to your liking?

    To me, the Rhiner Cruz loss in Rule 5 was a PERFECT example of that. In my life I never ever thought I’d see people log on here and complain about the loss of a guy like Cruz. But it fit an agenda to complain about every. single. thing.

    People? Or just Alex, who even I called out? Did you ever call out one of your kin when they are over the top or do you just sit back and snicker?

    What’s over the top is people like you throwing a hissy fit whenever someone criticizes Alderson for anything.

    I even stopped commenting on this site as much as I did because of these overblown reactions on here and all the snark and baiting.

    I’m still waiting for Alderson to sign just one hitter with a higher OBP than .320 which sabers loved to bash Omar for, but now keep their mouths shut due to blind loyalty.
    • Ghost of omar December 11, 2011 at 4:46 pm

      The lord sandy bashing is nothing more than a reaction to the never ending sandy worship. . Now the worshippers whine… boo hoo its not lord sandy’s fault they say…. he didn’t know how bad things were they say… This is the same guy the worshippers proclaimed as baseball’s smartest gm ever. An Ivy Leage and a US Marine…… Wow! He went from genius to so dumb he didn’t know Wilpon was a failed rich dude! The sandy worshippers procalimed lord snady’s genious with every move… from eamus to hu….. now the worshippers can’t take his heat,because lord sandy has been exposed as nothing more than another human being. no better no worse. so when the worshippers get off the knees of worship and admit he is not perfect the bashers will let up as well. Because most of the bashing is aimed at those incapable of making honest judgements of lord sandy’s moves.
      • jessep December 11, 2011 at 7:14 pm

        Ghost: It seems to me the only people who claim Alderson is a genius are the people saying others said it? I’ve never heard a supporter say it myself.
        • Joe Diaz December 11, 2011 at 7:28 pm

          You’ve never heard it Jessep cause it’s never happened on this site.Maybe over on Amazin Avenue where people over there seem to think Sandy can cure cancer but on this site if you’re on board with Aldersons philosphy of building a team you get accused of calling Alderson a genius.To me there’s more over the top bashing of Alderson than over the top support.I myself don’t think the guy is the Grand Master of GM’s but I do think we’re moving in the right direction with Sandy at the wheel.We’ll just have to wait and see how it all pans out before any of us can make a proper assessment.Hopefully the majority of his moves work out and we can all look back at all this nonsense and laugh.Winning heals all wounds among fans.
          • any December 11, 2011 at 7:36 pm

            If you accept the premise that the team had stagnated, and needed a couple of year program of purging, cleansing, and rebuilding/retooling the foundation regardless then it is a lot easier to stomach.

            To me, the primary difference with having the payroll slashed is they have to do it without keeping Reyes as one of the building blocks.
          • Bayonne Mets Fan December 11, 2011 at 10:06 pm

            No,

            It has happened on this site – many times – and don’t ask me to provide a link. Learn how to do searches yourself. And don’t say “well if you’re not providing a link then it’s not true”

            And anyway, how can you even say that nobody has ever called him a genius on this site? How long have you been here to even be able to say that?
            • Joe Diaz December 12, 2011 at 10:25 am

              Why should I waste time to look for something that may or may not exist.You won’t provide links because you don’t know how to unless you get Vinny to do it for you like he usually comes to you aid. I’ve been a reader of this site for years.Just because I only starting posting over the last 6 months doesn;t mean I haven’t been aware of what’s going on. I remember even you and Metsie getting into a war of words over a year ago which is all you know how to do because of your low level of education. The only people that have used the word Genius are guys like you who are against his every move.Lerner writes articles for this sire,he’s noe a regular poster here and I’ve made comments about his over the top articles about Alderson.
              Now do me a favor and crawl back under the rock you cam out of and stop responding to my post.When you learn to be a civilized human being I might engage in your uniformed,uneducated comments.You re an embarrassment to this ste in every way imaginable.
            • metsaddict77 December 12, 2011 at 10:45 am

              ur dead on bayonne
            • jessep December 12, 2011 at 12:37 pm

              Don’t ask you to provide proof of what you say just let you say it? How does that make sense?

              I think many times people take what they see on say Amazin Avenue and bring it here and then use it against people like Donal for example.

              I don’t think I’ve ever called him genius. In fact, I’d wager that more often than not he is referred to as a genius by people talking down to him.
      • MetsMan86 December 11, 2011 at 11:07 pm

        This guy. Exactly what this post is about.
• Steve S. December 11, 2011 at 1:35 pm

  I like your blog posts, Joe! No, there’s nothing wrong with questioning Alderson on “not punting” and “rebuilding” (you could do both, except for the Wilponzis cutting his budget—which Sandy has at least implied). I, agree, that the Reyes situation could have been handled better by him. All in all, I think that Alderson has been placed in a difficult situation, and is doing well, overall, though.
• Gina December 11, 2011 at 2:06 pm

  I love this blog, don’t change a thing. My father calls this site required reading.
• tlagee December 11, 2011 at 4:09 pm

  Part of the problem right now is displaced anger. Sandy has a job to do and many of us don’t like it.

  It boils down to one simple fact – Fred got greedy on a too good to be true investment and was hoodwinked. I know we’ve written that a million times but every so often it’s probably a good idea to remember why we’re in this mess.

  What is most upsetting is the effect of Fred’s stupidity on our beloved Mets.

  Selig loves and respects Fred. He is protecting Fred’s ownership of the team. Selig has to wrestle with either helping a friend out – or protecting a baseball franchise in the number one market. He has gone the friends route.

  Unfortunately, it means that the fans are getting screwed and when fans realize they are screwed they don’t come to the park. That, in turn, will cause even less revenue coming in.

  Is Sandy to blame? Fair enough question. He took a job to restructure the Mets. I’m sure when he took it he didn’t realize that it was going to be far harder than he could have imagined. He is doing his job. We don’t like it but it’s not his fault. I think some fans feel that Sandy, who has no history with the Mets, doesn’t care. But whether he does or doesn’t is irrelevant.

  What most of us want to do is see the Wilpons get on a horse and ride out into the sunset.

  It can’t happen soon enough.
  • Joe Diaz December 11, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    Couldn’t have said it better myself t agee.
    • tlagee December 11, 2011 at 8:46 pm

      Thanks Joe. Appreciate it.

      Actually – it’s tlagee not t agee who is a different poster.
      • Joe Diaz December 12, 2011 at 10:30 am

        My mistake!
• jdon December 11, 2011 at 4:39 pm

  Anyone can be as ciritical as they like. I just do not understand the hatred for the front office. We have NO IDEA how much money the mets have. The mets have no idea how much money they will have for NEXT YEAR, or maybe for years to come, thanks to Madoff. This is a tough tough situation. People scream about the mets not doing anything. What are they going to use: monopoly money? The hatred for the Wontpons is visceral and I have it. I think they are a little on the smarmy side, I think they are in over their heads, and I wish they would sell. But to hate on someone who has to try to make a silk purse out a sow’s ear does not seem sensible. As for the honesty thing, come on. When you are an executive, you obfuscate.,you fudge, you do what your bosses want you to do to protect the franchise. That is what you are paid for. Everybody does it. This is not Sesame Street.
  • Ghost of omar December 11, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    Did someone force lord sandy to take the job of Met GM jdon? And as for you do what your bosses want….Hmm didn’t I hear that line somewhere before. Oh yes, we heard that line from thousands and thousands of German muderers after WWII. That line is pure bull. I was only doinf what I was told is what makes the world so screwed up.
    • Mr North Jersey December 11, 2011 at 5:11 pm

      Comparisons to “German muderers after WWII”? This is a business based on a game for entertainment purposes. Deep breathes and back away from the ledge. No acts of genocide are being committed here.
    • jdon December 11, 2011 at 5:59 pm

      what a ridiculous comment.
      • Joe Diaz December 11, 2011 at 7:34 pm

        Whatya expect Omar Fan has been reincarnated.
    • jdon December 11, 2011 at 6:05 pm

      Sandy took this job because the league asked him to come in hereh before the franchise vanished down a rabbit hole. I don’t now if youhave ever held a job, but once you take the money you have to give a little piece of yourself to the firm. That is just grown-up logic. All GMs lie.
• martin December 11, 2011 at 4:51 pm

  why does it mater if he uses the R word? words are not important. and why should reyes have been #1 priority over any other free agent? pujols is clearly superior. again, free agents are free and available to all teams just the same.

  i dont see how anything alderson has done is worthy of criticism. only idiotic fans care about things like whether or not the GM uses certain words.

  again, reyes was simply too expensive i dont see why that is hard to comprehend.
• Bob L December 11, 2011 at 5:18 pm

  The Yankess, most Mets Fans’ idea of both the Devil AND The Evil Empire have been contenders (and more) for 17 years. What many of us forget, is that the Yankees were in the proverbial wilderness for ~14 years over the ’81 – ’94 timeframe. They threw tons of money in those years after old FA’s at the end of their careers. The basis of the Yankees’ revival from ’95 – ’11 was initially the Farm System thanks to Stick Michaels ‘combined’ with tons of moola.
  Given the Mets’ dire predicament financially, the ONLY tool left in the box is talent evaluation.
  We’re broke, boys and girls. You scream it mucho times, so believe it and embrace it.
  We’ll contend again first and foremost on the backs of the talent in our system. THIS is why i fully support Alderson & Co in their efforts to revive this franchise with the major tool at their disposal: their ability to identify and develop baseball talent. And when was the last time, ANY team had a front office with this kind of pedigree for discerning talent?
  IF i have to thank Bud Selig for this, for whatever reason, so be it, i will.
• jdon December 11, 2011 at 6:11 pm

  There are a few people on this site who are just too demented to respond to, no matter how polite you want to be. I am compiling a list.
  • jdon December 11, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    ….and I simply shall not respond to those posters in the future.
    • Joe Diaz December 11, 2011 at 7:38 pm

      I beat you to it.I stopped responding to them a few weeks ago. Makes no sense to try to rationalize with irrational people.