21
2011
With Perks Like These Mets Should Have No Problem Selling $20MM Stakes
An article by 
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times obtained a leaked three-page document that was drawn up by the team’s investment banker and distributed to potential investors interested in buying $20 million dollar stakes in the Mets.
In order to attract minority owners, the document included not only a description of the complex financial arrangements which states the $20 million dollar investment represented a 4% ownership stake, but a collection of some added perks as well including the following:
- One luxury box at Citi Field.
- A personal parking spot at Citi Field.
- Throwing out the first-pitch during one game every season.
- Personalized business cards showing you as a team owner.
- One free road trip with the team every season.
- One free weekend to Mets Spring Training camp in Port St. Lucie.
- Access to the team mascot, Mr. Met.
- Lunch dates with former players and one private luncheon with Terry Collins or Sandy Alderson.
With perks like this, I can see these $20 million dollar stakes selling like hot cakes. 
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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they were mocking it on Mike & Mike this AM
That’s rght they were mocking the Mets and the crap thrown out by your beloved Wilpons/Seligs/Katz and Aldersons…. Makes you lord sandy worshippers and therefore freddy boy worshippers proud to be mets fans I guess….
Access to Mr. Met… Is that like a 24/7/365 kind of deal? “Mr. Met!, I need you here ASAP. I’ve finished my bubbly and need a refill! Hurry up, I’m becoming parched!”
HAAHA! That made me LOL.
To raise funds, I can also see Mr. Met wearing a little French Maid outfit and dusting their homes.
Hey Sandy, it’s me Fred. Get into the Mr. Met costume and head on over to Mr. Smiths house pronto. He’s having some friends over for poker night and wants you to serve the chips and beer.
this is so wilponish.
“One free road trip with the team every season.”
The Mets get to pick which road trip. What lucky devil gets to follow them to Detroit?
And are they paying for travel accommodations or are the Mets just giving you bleacher tickets?
“Access to the team mascot, Mr. Met.”
That’s right, ladies.
Wow, with perks like these those “shares” will be flying off the shelves this Christmas season. “Hey honey, I just bought you a share of the NY Mets for a mere $20 million. You get access to Mr Met and a free road trip ONCE a year with the team! Oh, Oh, Oh!!!! And the BEST part is you get a DISCOUNT on team merchandise!!!! Isn’t that awesome??!!!”
Are they serious???? Free parking, merchandise discount, access to Mr Met, and a free road trip at the TEAM’S choosing. Wow, I would LOVE to have an all expenses paid, mid-week trip to Houston with accomodations at the local Motel 6. $20 million just doesn’t buy what it used to anymore does it. Oh, but wait, you can get your money back in 6 years @ 3% interest if you want out. Can’t wait to see what happens if, in 6 years, 10 investors ask for their $200 million + Interest back. This deal sounds a little bit like an idiot’s idea of a ponzi scheme. Oh, wait, this is the Wilpons idea………never mind.
LOL
Nobody would be stupid enough to buy into this sinking ship ! Wilpons are done ! BOYCOTT fans BOYCOTT . . .. Lets bury these idiots and get our team back ! !
Do they throw in a laser Printer to make the Business cards with?
No. A Mets office employee cuts out business card sized pieces of construction paper and uses Sharpie markers to design your business card. However, if you want it laminated or more than one card you will have to pay for that out of your own pocket. And you will have to pay the team to copy their hand drawn Mets logo since it’s copyrighted.
I bet you have to pay for the paper though!
Surprisingly, they went all out with the business cards and got this guy to design them
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBxeDN4tbk
I got $20 who’s with me?
LOL Kay if we get 1Mil to all contribute a Jackson we could keep Mr Met very busy in a year!
Shine my Shoes Ball Head!
Respect the big head please!!!! Now, Jeffy can shine shoes, get drinks, wash my car!
WOW…..just wow….the “Wilpons”and their “investment banker” must really be thinking they can insult an investors intelligence with this crap a$$ deal!
One luxury box at Citi Field. (for 20 million dollars…..it should be ALL OF THEM)
A personal parking spot at Citi Field. (Yea so everyone can point out the idiot who bought it)
Throwing out the first-pitch during one game every season.( again so everyone can point and laugh at the idiot who bought it)
Personalized business cards showing you as a team owner. (and again..so everyone can point out your a idiot and see you don’t really own the team just a 4% stake in it and you can easily make a business card your self with YOUR OWN printer)
One free road trip with the team every season. ( so the mets players can see the idiot in person who bought the 4% stake)
One free weekend to Mets Spring Training camp in Port St. Lucie. (umm arent spring training tickets free anyway?…dont think it worth 20 mill)
Access to the team mascot, Mr. Met. (WOW……really now? *insert angry sarcasm*)
Lunch dates with former players and one private luncheon with Terry Collins or Sandy Alderson. (So they can assess how much of an idiot you are in a personal setting)
With perks like this, I can see these $20 million dollar stakes selling like hot cakes.
(I can TASTE the sarcasm in that line alone lol)
My favorite part of this is that tickets are not included. And to I thought this organization could not become more of a joke…Nice going, Wilpons…you proved me wrong! JUST SELL THE FU@#ING TEAM!
I think tickets are included for the purchaser, otherwise, what is the luxury box for?
Of course, season tickets for family members and merchandise still cost you.
I guess you don’t get much for $20 Million dollars these days!
Limbo…..How low can we go!
Nice touch RAISING SPRING TRAINING TICKET PRICES to watch a BEER LEAGUE TEAM!
You can go as low as you choose along with the other so-called Mets fans.
And we know this document to be fact?
Everybody jumps onto to the bashing bandwagon, eager to do so without the benefit of independent corroboration nor comment from ownership.
We just saw the same thing about cutting the Kingston team – only it turned out NOT to be the Kingston team, but the Gulf Coast team, while the Mets added ADDITIONALlRookie teams to Kingston, totaling three plus one in the Dominican.
Met fan hysterics are perfect example of mob mentality collectively out of control, one person feeding off the other in bouts of irrationality and collective hate. It’s easy to see how bad things can really mushroom into all out riot.
Now if they threw in a Sandy Alderson clinic on “How to destroy any business you run”, I would be all in.
Because this place was a well oiled machine before he got here???? Psst SA has nothing to do with destroying this team or organization,Fred, Jeff and Saul have been doing a good job of it themselves.
He forgot to engage the sarcasm font.
Stop giving me up!
My bad!! I get jokes!
Any other Mets GM but Sandy would have have made Reyes a competitive offer, let alone made an offer which Sandy didn’t.
Any other Mets GM would have brought Reyes back in common sense contract backload. Reyes is even taking a salary cut the first two seasons with the Marlins. A GM with a pulse on the city and franchise history, would have done the right thing even with the reduced payroll limitations. This could have gotten done if Alderson really wanted.
Says you. Seriously, Reyes got a crazy deal well outside anything the Mets could afford. Making a “competitive offer” would have been lying.
” A GM with a pulse on the city and franchise history,”
We’re talking about the Mets. Have you ever actually looked at the history of this team? How about it’s current state? I think that is way more important than what the idiot masses are demanding today and will forget about tomorrow.
“would have done the right thing even with the reduced payroll limitations. This could have gotten done if Alderson really wanted.”
28 other GMs took Alderson’s position. That should tell you something.
Donal, yes I know this team’s history as I’ve been a member of the human race for all of it and have been an impassioned Mets fan nearly as long and know franchise history quite well.
Reyes is a once in a generation talent. When his career is over, he most likely lands in Cooperstown with over 3,000 hits and 500 or more steals. Along with Strawberry, Reyes is the best pure talent position player this franchise has produced.
Any GM with any sense of baseball and team history, doesn’t let a potential future Hall of Famer leave without so much as a formal offer, especially a 50-year old franchise with only one homegrown player in the Hall. U understand Mets team history really well, and I understand Sandy could care less about how valuable Reyes is in that context.
Reyes could absolutely been signed had Alderson wanted. Reyes’s contract average to 17 mil and change a season. The Marlins signed him to 10 mil a year for the first two, and 16 mil for the third. The rest are at 22 mil.
With the contracts of Bay and Santana coming off the books by then, and perhaps David Wright before then, the Mets could have done that deal even had they backloaded that contract to a lessor amount. By his own admission, Sandy Alderson has long touted a philosophy of not signing late 20′s players to more than 3 years. Had Alderson truly wanted to bring Reyes back at fair market value, he would have. Instead, he opted not to even make an offer fearing what people would say about coming in second.
LongTimeFan: Afer the 2010 season would you have said Jose Reyes was on a Hall of Fame pace? I doubt it. A pace is based on a career, not a career year. There are good players and then there are all-time greats.
Reyes will turn 29, and needs 1,700 hits to get to 3,000. 2005-2008+ 2010-2011, Reyes averaged 186 hits a season. Which is over an average of 148 games a year.
If he keeps even that average up past his 35th birthday he’ll be at 2,600 hits. The mere assumption that Reyes is a 3,000 hit candidate is so blatently bias towards him it’s ridiculous.
Jeter just hit his 3,000th this year and has been the epitome of a healthy player throughout his career minus the fluke injury in 2003. Through his 29th birthday he had 1,546 hits. It took him til he was 37 to get 3,000
If you think Jose Reyes is going to stay healthy enough for a long period of time enough to get to 3,000 then on December 25th be sure to leave cookies out because a jolly old fat guy is coming down your chimney
Jeter had 90 more hits than Reyes at same age, both with June Birthdays.
At 28, Molitor had 1,203 hits in 4,139 AB’s.
Wade Boggs at 30, 1,392 hits in 3,913 AB’s.
Rickey Henderson – at 28, 1,286 hits in 4,429 AB’s
Reyes’s 1,300 hits at the age of 28,in 4,453 AB’s is well within the pace for 3,000. If Reyes stays healthy, he’ll get there.
dude, 90 hits is a lot. and that’s assuming Reyes plays 155 games a year till he is 36 like Jeter. I just don’t see that happening. he can’t even play 140 games and he’s 28.
” When his career is over, he most likely lands in Cooperstown with over 3,000 hits and 500 or more steals.”
No. His current pace is well bellow HoF standards. And his main physical asset is only going to decrease now.
” Along with Strawberry, Reyes is the best pure talent position player this franchise has produced.”
And as fun and exciting to watch as Reyes is, that is a really low bar.
“Any GM with any sense of baseball and team history, doesn’t let a potential future Hall of Famer leave without so much as a formal offer, especially a 50-year old franchise with only one homegrown player in the Hall. U understand Mets team history really well, and I understand Sandy could care less about how valuable Reyes is in that context.”
You might have a point if Reyes was on a Hall of Fame pace. He’s simply not.
Also, it is not just about how good Reyes is or how valuable his contract might be. It is about where me matches up with the team’s situation, now and in the foreseeable future.
“Reyes could absolutely been signed had Alderson wanted. ”
And what? What good would that have been for a team with a rotation full of #3 starters (on their best day)? A team with no center fielder? No catcher? A bullpen with more turnover than Saturday Night Live?
This isn’t the NBA. One player isn’t the be all and end all of a team. Especially when you are overstating his production.
What is the difference between winning 72 games without Reyes and winning 75 games with him?
” Reyes’s contract average to 17 mil and change a season. The Marlins signed him to 10 mil a year for the first two, and 16 mil for the third. The rest are at 22 mil.”
Because the Marlins are in win now mode. Or, at least that is what they are telling the city of Miami. In two years, when Loria is stripping down that team (again), Reyes will be a 31 year old making $22 million based on speed he’ll no longer have (and has been decreasing already). And he’ll be making it for another 4 years.
Reyes wanted as big a deal as he could get and Loria was dumb enough to go over the top. Reyes chose to leave. I don’t blame him for it, but I don’t pretend like his “love for New York” doesn’t ring a little more hollow these last 3 weeks.
Donal,
Reyes’s 1,300 hits at age 28, is unquestionably on Hall of Fame pace, 90 short of Derek Jeter’s hit total at same age with a difference of 200-something AB’s.
Now factor stolen bases, All Star selections, league leading in Triples, Stolen Bases, Batting title, at that he’s only 28, he’s well on his way, even closing in right now at the Black Ink Hall of Fame metric, having 19 at such a young age, with 27 being what the average Hall of Famer has.
Paul Molitor – 1,203 Hits – At 29, in 4,139 AB’s
Reyes – 1,300 Hits at 28, in 4,453 AB’s.
He has 1300 hits after 9 years. And his main asset is his speed, which is the first one to go. He’s lost a lot of it already in fact.
“90 short of Derek Jeter’s hit total at same age with a difference of 200-something AB’s.”
And health problems. And a lack of plate discipline. And diminishing speed, which his game relies on.
“Now factor stolen bases”
Only if the HoF voters do. Not very likely with some very specific exceptions.
“All Star selections”
Don’t matter, especially when he was an injury replacement.
“Batting title”
Meaningless. He only has one. Plenty of guys only have 1 batting title and are not in the HoF.
And comparing him to other players with different skill sets at different positions is meaningless as well. You would also have to believe that Reyes is going to repeat his best season every year.
Simply not reasonable.
LongTime — I think you like Jose. Too bad Jose didn’t like the Big Apple enough to not try to finesse the Mets. Jose tried to ‘play’ us but his best moves are on the baseball field, not in the front office of the Mets. His agent was guilty of malfeasance and it took an idiot offer from Florida to bail him out. Let’s not blame Sandy for Jose’s conniving behavior.
Dude, any changes the mets have made in the last two years are to reduce payroll, not to get better. Even if Reyes waited until after Xmas do you really think the team would’ve made an offer, any offer? Their actions show otherwise.
Des,
Alderson didn’t even give Reyes the opportunity to accept or reject a contract offer. He never made an offer which makes it quite difficult for any mere mortal to return to said team. Perhaps Sandy believes in reincarnation or osmosis, that by some miracle, Reyes returns to the Mets by divine intervention.
Alderson couldn’t even bring himself to even invite Reyes out for a drink or dinner. That is not the behavior of someone who wants to strike a deal…it’s the behavior of someone who doesn’t, who can’t bear to even look the player in the eye in an act of sincerity. It’s the act of very robotic, detached human being which Sandy personifies quite well.
So, Reyes rejecting offers to negotiate before he hit the open market are completely immaterial?
Reyes and his people said last winter that they would not negotiate during the season. The “offer” during the season was Sandy trying to make Reyes look bad knowing that they already said he wanted to concentrate on baseball during the season. Where was the offer before the baseball season started? Oh yeah there was none.
No, they didn’t offer a guy who hadn’t been healthy in 3 years a long term deal. What bastards.
And nice “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” you created. Making an offer you know Reyes won’t accept is bad except when it isn’t.
I never said it wasn’t although it’s not uncommon for players not to negotiate during the season.
Lifelong, I agree with Donal. If you think Sandy didn’t handle it well, so be it. I feel differently. But Jose and his agent were hypocrites, trying to use the Mets to make an offer to get a better one from another team. Of course the Marlins obliged and are the idiots in all of this.
Jose just jumped at the Marlins offers, probably because he knew there were none better coming his way. That wasn’t the way to handle it in my book.
Anyway we’re all Mets fans, with you and I among the longest sufferers. So enjoy the winter before the Wilpon reality takes us to a last place finish.
Exactly. Miami just so happen to up their offer AFTER Greenberg received parameters of a deal from SA? How come ONLY Miami made him an offer? Where were all the other teams?
Weird.
You know people like to act like SA doesn’t know the market but
Isn’t Beltran still on the free agent market?
Didn’t KRod accept arbitration because nobody wanted to agree to his terms?
Wasn’t there only ONE team in MLB who spoke and made an official offer to Reyes?
If Beltran was so valuable where are all of the teams lining up for him?
If KRod is such an amazing talent compared to every other closer, why aren’t winning clubs looking to upgrade?
If Reyes is a future HOF like somebody said above… where was Detroit, San Fran, Philly, Boston etc?
Jose wanted out. I don’t think the Mets as a whole should get 0 blame, my problem is that people here seem to act as though the guy who chose $ over your support is innocent. He left, if he wanted to be here he’d be here. He’d work within the parameters the mets gave him, but he didn’t.
Just the thought that he took himself out of game 162 to win an individual award in his final home game when people paid to see him play would encite people to no end if he were David Wright.
Exactly. Miami just so happen to up their offer AFTER Greenberg received parameters of a deal from SA? How come ONLY Miami made him an offer? Where were all the other teams?
Weird.
It’s weird because you have the facts wrong. Miami upped their offer after the Brewers and Tigers called Greenberg and setup meetings to discuss Reyes in Dallas the day before the Winter Meetings began.
As soon as that news broke, the Marlins made clear they wanted an answer from Reyes before the meetings and were giving him a take it or leave it offer. He took it.
The day before Alderson left for Dallas he was on a conference call, and I was the only one on that call who asked him to confirm that he had a 5/85 offer out to Reyes or any offer for that matter. He said, we have not made any offers to Jose Reyes, I dont know where the papers get this stuff, but we plan to speak to them in Dallas.
The first time Alderson even alluded to a deal or offer was 18 hours after Reyes signed and he referred to them as a conceptual discussion but not an offer. This was during the second presser he did with reporters, not the initial one after the Reyes deal went down and he said they never got a chance to make an offer. After that his story kept changing to not a concrete offer, to parameters, to they knew where we stood. Basically he was dancing around and looking to deflect the incoming fire. A few hours later he made a minor trade, signed two relievers, and well you know the rest.
“It’s weird because you have the facts wrong. Miami upped their offer after the Brewers and Tigers called Greenberg and setup meetings to discuss Reyes in Dallas the day before the Winter Meetings began.”
That makes no sense. Why would he accept the Marlins offer before hearing from anyone else? Why take the only offer on the table before the bidding war was supposedly about to begin?
If Greenburg thought any of those other teams were going to be anywhere close to the Marlins, why not listen? The way Team Reyes acted made it look like the Marlins had all the leverage with their suppsoed “take it or leave it” offer.
Because the Marlins offer was way over what they would get anywhere else.
Joe:
““It’s weird because you have the facts wrong. Miami upped their offer after the Brewers and Tigers called Greenberg and setup meetings to discuss Reyes in Dallas the day before the Winter Meetings began.”
Donal is right. If this statement is true, then Jose Reyes has the worst sports agent in the business OR he wanted to be in Miami no matter what so why would a Mets offer even matter?
Or he wanted to NOT play in Milwaukee or Detroit! And might have stayed in MY or Miami!
Never occurred to you did it?
I mean would you move to detroit for more money?
I wouldn’t for any amount!
And Milwaulkee or Miami? Well thats an easy choice since NY didn’t seem to want him!
So no his Agent wasn’t an idiot or the worst agent in baseball history!
He basically made sure Reyes wouldn’t have to go play is a craphole of a city!
Jessep, that someone hasn’t yet signed is indicative of their lack of value?
That’s news to me.
Prince Fielder hasn’t signed.
Beltran has a number of offers on the table, and from what I’ve read, is preparing to make his decision before Christmas. Amongst his suitors are the Cards, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Rays and an unamed NL team.
As IMMATERIAL as Sandy refusing to negotiate before the seaosn started!
NO PLAYER wants to negotiate during a season!
Sandy refused to negotaite FIRST and LAST!
So Yes what Reyes did was immaterial what Sandy did WAS because he did it TWICE!
Sandy leads the refusal to negotiate game by a score of 2-1
You keep ignoring that dopehat and I will continue to remind you of it until you come up with a better excuse for Sandy!
Players negotiate in season all the time. Some of those times they even agree and sign. Like Weaver with the LAA.
The thing with Reyes though is that he had proven the hamstring healthy in 2010 and was having a bang up year and with each passing day his risk was becoming less and less.
The best time to have gotten him was ST 2010 after being assured that the thyroid wasn’t a major problem (or writing that issue out of the deal)
Or Fred could have done something mid season 2010 when a season and a half of risk still remained. He knew when the contract was up. He knew the importance to the franchise Reyes held. Moreno’s always out front if need be. He resigned Weaver mid season right after firing his GM (or right before, one or the other)
No owner comes out with statements like he did about Reyes if they are looking to sign the guy. Is that what he said about Hampton or Piazza or Castillo or Perez?
The fact that we haven’t seen hide nor hair of Fred tells you everything you need to know.
“As IMMATERIAL as Sandy refusing to negotiate before the seaosn started!”
So, why is one side being held to a higher standard?
“NO PLAYER wants to negotiate during a season!”
Except the ones that do. Like Wright, Reyes, Frankie Rodriguez, Braun, Howard…hey, it doesn’t seem that uncommon.
“So Yes what Reyes did was immaterial what Sandy did WAS because he did it TWICE!”
Nope. Reyes wanted to negotiate before he had proven himself healthy. What GM does that?
both sides wanted to negotiate when their leverage was highest. I have no idea why you insist one side should have made themselves vulnerable for the other.
“Sandy leads the refusal to negotiate game by a score of 2-1″
And Reyes gets to be part of the “left the town I said I loved for money” team.
“You keep ignoring that dopehat and I will continue to remind you of it until you come up with a better excuse for Sandy!”
You will continue to say lots of things don’t really pan out.
They were EQUAL as of Sept 30th…Then Sandy went and refused to negotiate again!
You see if you are so sure Sandy wanted to negotiate then why did he change his mind as soon as the season was over and Reyes was ready?
BECAUSE Sandy did NOT want to negotiate just look like he wanted to negotiate!
And only an idiot would believe he really wanted him and really wanted to negotiate at ANYTIME!
And if the shoe fits well put it on!
Plus don’t forget the box of chocolate comment afterwards. Shows he has no class and thinks it’s a big joke.
Exactly. It was out of line and totally obnoxious.
No, it was funny and putting a bunch of whiners in their place.
Sometimes, I think it’s a big joke. I have yet to see otherwise.
And the “box of chocolates” comment was aimed at a reporter asking a dumb question. It wasn’t aimed at Reyes (who acted all butt hurt that he didn’t get taken out on date in a city he’s lived in for 9 years)
Greg — Please get real. Sandy was just showing his frustration dealing with a player trying to game him and a fanbase that’s easier to twist than a rubber band. I’m incredulous that you’ve bought into the box of chocolates comment. With some of Jose’s gaming, a box of ex-lax should have been suggested.
I find it ironic that someone that made up lies about Carlos Beltran, and wrote the most hatred vial gabage about him has the gonads to call out Alderson on being classy.
I’m in your corner Kay. This debate shows the fan base is not sold on either Sandy of Jose. Maybe it’s to be expected in the run up to a presidential election.
I know I’ve been away for a while, but when the hell did Pomes show up again? lol
It’s hard to really come to that conclusion when we’re giving up a minor league affiliate in order to save 800 K, leasing out our facility in the DR to our competitors, sending Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson out for meets and greats and even leasing out Mr. Met.
I do agree that if we weren’t likely to be able to offer the most money we should have at least matched the Marlins desire but in reality I think any reasonable amount was out of the question and ownership had already made their feelings felt.
Reyes will be unloaded sometime before his 3rd season concludes and who knows? Maybe we could get him back at half price.
t agee, I guess you didn’t bother reading the Mets statement that they will have three Rookie ball teams playing out of Kingsport in addition to the one in the Dominican Republic.
It’s not three in Kingsport and one in the DSL. It’s the same one in Kingsport and the same two in the DSL and none in the Gulf coast.
We’re down one rookie league from where we were in 2011
t agee, it is three in Kingsport as per Mets:
“For 2012, we will be conducting our three Rookie League teams in Kingsport, Tenn., and out of our facility in the Dominican Republic, and will not operate a team in the Gulf Coast League,”
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111220&content_id=26213200¬ebook_id=26213178&vkey=notebook_nym&c_id=nym
Lifelong.
Last year we had 4 rookie leagues. Two in the DSL, one in Kingsport and one in the Gulf Coast League. the press release says “We’ll be running our THREE rookie leagues out of Kingsport AND our facility in the DR.”
2011 4 rookie leagues
2012 3 rookie leagues.
t agee — maybe we won’t want Jose in a few years. His legs might not be there.
Des I think his legs will be fine in 3 years. Hope Miami doesn’t burn him out. I wonder if we’ll be able to add any payroll in 3 years.
t agee — Jose isn’t the same ballplayer he was in 2005-2008. So here we are three plus years later and his SB rate has fallen like a rock. He’s gone from averaging about 65 SB/season to 27SB/season. If he were a speculative stock, which he actually is, the smart money would be selling short. Madoff would be! lol.
Des, I wouldn’t want Jose stealing as much and he’s a better hitter now then ever before. True his triples will become doubles but he might even hit a few more HR’s and he’ll always be able to go 1st to 3rd and 2nd to home, his D will keep up, his arm’s not going anywhere. If he stays interested (no reason to think he won’t) all you gotta wonder about is his health.
I’d give him 3 stints of 3 weeks each on the DL every year but I think he’s really safe for the next 3 years and most likely all 5.
A SS who can defend, hit and run is a very powerful asset to have even if it were for only 23 weeks instead of 26.
Either way we’ll see.
* meant 3 stints of 3 weeks over the next 3 years total. Avg 1 a year. Marlins would be wise to give him a blow here and there. Reyes never got a day here ever.
t agee — It may seem like Reyes never got a day off when he wasn’t sick or injured, but he did. In fact it was Reyes who said he didn’t want the time off when he didn’t ask for it. The real grinder, as Willie used to call it, was David Wright.
Des different game, different position, different body. I don’t really recall Reyes ever getting a day. Many times we didn’t even have a back up SS.
Blowouts, extra innings, 40 degrees or 100, pennant race or out of it didn’t matter. I hope they do give him a day here and there. It’ll keep him fresher.
I also think the really hot days in Texas and Detroit last year contributed to his hamstring pulls. Muscle pulls are sometimes caused by dehydration and playing day time ball in 100+ degrees and hitting and running the bases 6 times a game like he was in those series helped cause those pulls. Collins finally gave him a couple innings off but until Tejada came up there was no one else.
Isn’t that horse dead yet?
Hmmmm. With perks like those available I hope someone’s running background checks on these morons.
I wouldn’t want some freak like Jerry Sandusky having “access” to Mr. Met.
well at least they’re screwing someone other than the fans for a change.
Maybe the Mets will offer shares to Bobby Bonilla since they’ll be paying him out the wazoo for years to come! Or, alternatively, they could reduce their current payroll by offering shares to Santana and Bay (perfectly ILLEGAL in MLB if I’m correct though)!
What’s the odds of getting Donald Trump to march into Fred’s office and tell him “You’re FIRED!!!” ? That would be the greatest Christmas gift you could give a Mets fan this year.
LOL
Paying Bobby Bo 1.9m for 25 years starting in 2011, and Brett Saberhagen 250k for 25 years starting in 2004.
i suspect that 4% will be worth much more than 20 million 10 years from now.
Donal – Two reasons.
1. Because that’s how take it or leave it offers work.
2. Because Reyes was already in love with Miami, the culture, the red carpet treatment, and being a rock star.
What if Miami said screw you to Reyes and moved on? Now Reyes has only the non concrete, conceptual conversation in which parameters were discussed – sort of, with the Mets.
Turn your back on $110 Million?
No way, Jose.
“1. Because that’s how take it or leave it offers work.”
No, take it or leave it only works when you know you have the leverage. If Greenburg thought he could have gotten a deal close to what the Marlins offered, he would have walked.
“2. Because Reyes was already in love with Miami, the culture, the red carpet treatment, and being a rock star.”
Funny, I thought he loved New York. No, I think he loved getting way more money than the other 29 teams would even come close to paying him.
“What if Miami said screw you to Reyes and moved on? Now Reyes has only the non concrete, conceptual conversation in which parameters were discussed – sort of, with the Mets.”
Or offers from the supposedly 6-10 other teams falling over themselves to give Reyes the 9 figure deal he wanted.
Sorry, Joe, but it all comes crashing down when you throw in the fact that Greenburg and Reyes jumped at the first big offer before they even met with anyone else.
The Marlins drastically over paid for Reyes and everyone knows it.
“Turn your back on $110 Million?
No way, Jose.”
Hell, no. Especially when no one else will offer you anything close to that.
They overpaid to keep other teams from joining the biding. And they succeeded in doing exactly that. Great job by the Marlins, great job by Greenberg, great job by Jose Reyes.
Let me just add that the Brewers and Tigers both set up appts to meet with Reyes in Dallas with the common knowledge Reyes had a 6/90 deal from the Fish. Did you think they were gonna offer less? Especially the Brewers who were losing Fielder? Come on get a grip…. Why is everyone so hell bent on skewing facts just to make the Mets somehow look rosy? It’s over. The Mets could never afford him and they knew it all along. They knew in January. If knocking the Marlins is our panacea, we have some real problems as a fan base.
“Let me just add that the Brewers and Tigers both set up appts to meet with Reyes in Dallas with the common knowledge Reyes had a 6/90 deal from the Fish. Did you think they were gonna offer less?”
I don’t really get what you’re telling us here to be honest. You’re telling me Reyes took Miami’s offer because Milwaukee or Detroit were going to offer more than 6/90?
Leave the Mets out of this for a second. Why would a superstar as you call him of Reyes’ stature need to take the 1st real offer given to him? Why not meet with Detroit and Milwaukee? Miami clearly had $ and clearly wanted him. You’re making an excuse for a bad job by the agent in my view
Reyes took Miami’s offer only after going back to the Mets giving them opportunity to make an offer which Sandy didn’t.
The fact remains, Sandy never made a single formal offer to Reyes.
Not making an offer ensures a player cannot return. Concepts are not offers. They’re acts of cowardice and cop out, all talk, no action.
The reason you dont get it is because intentional or otherwise you took what I said out of context.
This is what I wrote in it’s entirety.
Let me just add that the Brewers and Tigers both set up appts to meet with Reyes in Dallas with the common knowledge Reyes had a 6/90 deal from the Fish. Did you think they were gonna offer less? Especially the Brewers who were losing Fielder? Come on get a grip…. Why is everyone so hell bent on skewing facts just to make the Mets somehow look rosy? It’s over. The Mets could never afford him and they knew it all along. They knew in January. If knocking the Marlins is our panacea, we have some real problems as a fan base.
You replied:
I don’t really get what you’re telling us here to be honest. You’re telling me Reyes took Miami’s offer because Milwaukee or Detroit were going to offer more than 6/90?
Is that what you inferred? How so?
I Isaid exactly what it reads.
The point of which is that the Marlins upped their offer to keep Reyes from meeting with the Brewers and Tigers in Dallas and having him signed before the winter meetings began.
This is well documented.
Getting more teams would have probably cost the Marlins more than what they doled out.
They made a take it or leave it offer and he had to decide before winter meetings or the Marlins were moving on.
This was well reported and well known.
Now if he had met with the Brewers and Tigers… Dont you think they would have offered more and tried to beat the Marlins 6/90 offer? Dont you think more teams means more bidding?
Why would they set appointments to negotiate and offer LESS??? That was what I said in my original comment.
So the Marlins made a preemptive move and upped their offer after the news broke the Brewers and Tigers were going to meet with him.
It was a preemptive strike.
They upped the offer from $90MM to $110MM and said we need a decision by Monday, take it or leave it.
Some Mets fans say Marlins overpaid or bid against themselves. I saw a well planned and perfectly played out attack that netted the Marlins someone they obviously really wanted and kept other teams from driving up the price by telling Reyes we need an answer in 24 hours or we’re moving on without you.
And for those who insist the Marlins overpaid, why are you saying the agent did a bad job?
How can you say Marlins overpaid and agent did a bad job? You’re playing both sides of the argument which ends up destroying and point you may have had.
It was a take it or leave it offer.
Reyes took it.
Why would Reyes reject the only six-figure or any offer he had?
I hope this clarifies what I said which really didn’t need to be broken down to this degree.
Joe I’m not gonna get into a big thing here but
“The point of which is that the Marlins upped their offer to keep Reyes from meeting with the Brewers and Tigers in Dallas and having him signed before the winter meetings began. This is well documented. Getting more teams would have probably cost the Marlins more than what they doled out.”
That right there, that statement alone is what we’re talking about. If this is true, then Greenberg either did a bad job or Reyes WANTED to be a Marlin. Your job as an agent is to get your client the most $ and get him to a place where he wants to be. If Reyes didn’t WANT to be a Marlin, he would have taken meetings with other teams. They knew what the Mets were doing, they knew the Mets limits and decided not to work around them. He just didn’t want to be here so he took the offer on the table because its where he wanted to be.
Reyes got $110, what did you think he was getting?
Gimme a number?
Crawford money?
What do you think he walked away from?
PLUS…
Then did the Marlins do a great job here?
If you’re asking me do I think Detroit or Milwaukee could have matched or beaten a 6 year guaranteed $106 million offer, yes, I absolutely think they could have if they wanted him.
I think the fact they took an offer before meeting with anybody else proves that Reyes and his agent KNEW his value is not what people around the sport think (including fans here who acted like he deserves an open checkbook), shows why Greenberg is Greenberg and Boras is Boras, and it also proves Reyes WANTED to be a Marlin.
So then the Marlins did a great job? And the agent put Reyes exactly where he wanted to be which is his job?
That’s all I’ve been trying to say all along. That and that the Mets were never going to afford regardless of conceptual conversations and sharing parameters.
No, it is one or the other. either Greenburg did a great job and got Reyes way too much an offer or Loria did a great job preventing Reyes from getting into a bidding war. The 2 are mutually exclusive.
If Loria paid too much money, then he screwed up. If Greenburg and Reyes took at or bellow market value before even hearing another bid, they screwed up.
“I think the fact they took an offer before meeting with anybody else proves that Reyes and his agent KNEW his value is not what people around the sport think ”
Yes they DID know their value it was 100+Mil!
Marlins offerred 90 Mil, Mets offered NOTHING!
So he did not sign the contract.
No one can say what the Brewers ot Tigers would have offerred but apparently Miami thought they would offer even MORE money than they gave otherwise why would they make a take it or leave it offer or up the bid at all?
Why would Reyes take the Miami offer without meeting with those other two bidders?
Because making 106 Mil was enough to make him happy, and 106 Mil to live in Miami is preferable to 110+ Mil to live in MIlwaukee and Detroit!
If you ask me Reyes Agent played it pretty good! He got the Marlins to up their bid before a better offer was made. THAT is the actual definition of bidding against yourself! Being top Bidder and topping yourself!
We may never know what the brewers or Tigers were going to offer but we can be sure it was enough to make the Marlins hit the number that Reyes had in mind as hios goal for this contract!
100+Mil!
WHich is a number you have said repeatedly was not worth giving!
So now all that is left is to see if you were right or wrong on that opinion.
But his agent did what he was supposed to do get the bidding above 100 Mil!
Mission Accomplished!
Maybe if Sandy offered a 5 years 90 Mil deal he might have gotten Reyes back!
Wow Metsie, thank you. That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to say. You did a far better job of explaining it than I did I guess.
The problem with some of these arguments being made regarding FA is that while another 10-20 Mil seems like an un-passable on offer to most of us to a guy who is making 100 Mil that is considered CHUMP CHANGE and worth giving up if the place you have to move to get it is not as good as the other option!
If me or you had two offers of 100 Mil and 120 Mil (Hey we can dream can’t we? LOL) , If you had to work at the North Pole to get the extra 20 Mil that 20 Mil wouldn’t seem like such a great thing to have if you knew you could have 100 Mil in Hawaii or Miami!
Jose is a kid and despite what Jessup and Donal Age Discrimination thought proccesses have to say about him Jose knows he can have a long and productive if he stays in shape and can get at least one more big payday before he retires!
All Jose wanted was a lively city to play in and 100+Mil
His Agent got him both!
And despite what was said about Reyes by the guys happy to see him go it is obvious that Reyes was NOT all about the money nor about Crawford money!
Location was a factor and 100+ Mil was ENOUGH!
That means he most likely would have taken a similar offer from us to stay and maybe even less than the Marlins gave him.
If we put in a bid that was close then maybe he does meet with the Brewers and Tigers to see what the number was going to be.
And maybe the Marlins drop out because of that and Reyes decides that living in a BIG City is more important than 100+Mil and takes our offer after the Marlins drop out.
The only one who screwed up here is Alderson!
He took himself out of the game even before it started!
And now he is a Marlin and Jessup had better hope he gets hurt and misses a season pretty soon or get some buns and catsup to eat the egg that will be on his face when Reyes keeps going to the All Star game and being the most exciting player in baseball!
“Your job as an agent is to get your client the most $ and get him to a place where he wants to be”
What makes you think Reyes wanted to be in Milwaulkee and Detroit?
His Agent did get him the money he wanted 100+Mil and a city Reyes would love to live in.
If we had offered that he would have probably picked us over the Marlins!
I agree with your last part but would apply it to all the teams in the NL not just the Marlins. I remember when Philly got Lee and than Halladay and then Lee again, some Mets fans were laughing at the moves and getting joy out of them saying the Phillies got screwed. Why dont everyone just worry about fixing our own house?
Joe D. — We may find out that the Marlins can’t afford that back loaded contract too. Jeffrey Loria may be just another Wayne Huizenga. When Jose slows down — he’s already started — let’s see if the Marlins try to dump him, especially if the south Florida fans start staying home. Jose on the base paths is now only a shell of the guy who ran wild in 2005-2008. In 3-4 years he might be stealing only 12-18 bases a year. If Jose can’t be unloaded they have a huge problem.
There is a much bigger question that all these big contracts imply. It’s the sustainability and credibility of the business of baseball. Since Bud is into everybody’s knickers, does he do real financial projections or is he just interested in moving the current model year’s car off the sales lot? He’ll be gone and someone else may have to deal with a mess in a few years.
oh yeah Des, the smart bet is that Jose Reyes is not in a Miami jersey when his contract expires
who cares if jose reyes is in a miami uniform, The way he took himself out of the last game of the year for mets, was rotten, believe it or not, jose wanted to leave i don’t buy what he says, if you love and passion are their for you and your team, money isn’t everything, cus some players have prove that already. So jose that’s how you treat your fans and your team by leaving so what don’t let the door hit you when you leave after the first game back against the mets. Right now you’re with the enemy sorry. Like i said we know where his heart is at. not with us.
Iarman: I’m with you on game 162. I think people who let Reyes pass on taking himself out to win an individual award are clouded by their frustration with the franchise. These are the same people that will curse out a player if he doesn’t run a groundball out, but a guy takes himself out of his final home game to ensure a batting title? No problem right?
What about Alderson turning a blind eye so his cheaters could win MVPs and rob the Giants of a world series?
He’s a loser with no heart for 162. I have no real issue with his free agency choice, except for the pandering about how he loved NY when he had no desire to return. Most FAs do that, though, so he’s no better or worse than they are.
The fabric of the game has been torn apart and is now further shredding. It started in my mind when O’Malley took his Dodgers west in 1957 or so and convinced the Giants to go with him. “There’s gold in them hills” and so the fabric of baseball was changed forever. Skipping forward past free agency, a move that has had both good and bad consequences, we go to the Davey Johnson Mets and Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden . Straw is a hero in these parts but in reality he’s just an athletically talented thug. My point is that the game has been torn asunder and blaming Sandy Alderson is like getting to an accident years late and missing the real cause and effect of the problems of baseball.
Maybe we Mets fans are looking for a scapegoat and we charge the hired hand, Sandy Alderson, with the crimes of Madoff, Wilpon, Selig, and so on. Strap on your seat belts friends, it’s going to be a rocky ride.
Sorry, T. I think you misunderstood. I don’t “not like” Reyes, not even a little bit. I do hate what he did in game 162, but that’s one incident.
Joe D: Where did this whole conversation about A’s v. Giants go? Seems a few comments have been tossed away?
It was more than few comments it was 27 of them. And if I see anymore instigating, mocking, insulting, I’ll delete those as well.
People have opinions. If someone dont like them say why or ignore them. No need to start a mud slinging contest and that’s all I deleted.
If someone doesn’t like Reyes that’s fine. If someone doesn’t like Alderson that’s fine too. It’s an opinion and nobody should be shot down for having one.
Joe, I think that’s really unfair. Maniac said “What about Alderson turning a blind eye so his cheaters could win MVPs and rob the Giants of a world series?”
So you keep that? But not my response which in no way was insulting or mocking or anything but merely a response to the statement?
Wow… I guess it is what it is
Hi Maniac. I hope this comment finds you and yours happy and healthy during this holiday season. Thank you for your comment regarding Sandy Alderson turning a blind eye and cheating the Giants out of a World Series. I have some comments on that suggestion:
-The 88 and 90 A’s did not win the World Series, why didn’t the steroids work then like they did in 1989?
-The 1989 Oakland A’s were the worst regular season A’s team of their 3 year dynasty
-Do you know for certain that nobody on the Giants was using any sort of PED, including Kevin Mitchell who in 1989 won his only league MVP, hit 47 HR, drove in 125 runs and prior to that year averaged 17 HR a year in his previous 4 years, and in the 4 years after that hit an average of 22 HR.
-Mark McGwire had a below average World Series with an OPS under .700. How come you feel they cheated the Giants out of a WS when apparently his roids didn’t work?
-Would you feel the same way if the Mets had won the WS in a similar situation?
-Kirk Radomski built his entire steroid network while working for the NY Mets. He even took a few urine tests for Doc Gooden to avoid cocaine + tests, do you in any way shun the 1986 Mets since Gooden failing drug tests would or could have resulted in suspensions?
-Do you blame Steve Phillips for employing somebody who was making connections with various players to build a steroid distrubition ring while employed by the Mets?
Thank you, I look forward to your response.
The A’s cheating the Giants out of a WS? LOL, now I’ve read everything….
Anyone who doesn’t believe that probably better than 2/3s of all ball players from that era were using is well…..the one turning a blind eye. If you think Giants players weren’t using as well, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
‘Sandy’s cheaters’ though spins an argument for the poster that otherwise could not be made.
larman — If it’s not with us after all the years together, it’s also not with Miami. His heart is in the seat of his pants because that’s where his wallet is. Jeffery Loria is his mentor now.
I agree Des, but that’s a different issue entirely. I don’t believe for a minute that Reyes will still be a Marlin five years from now. But they needed a face of the franchise to promote that team and Hanley Ramirez and his bad boy attitude and frequent antics wasn’t doing that job.
Good point Joe. The father-godfather relationship of Jose to Hanley is going to get tested in 2012. Part of the problem is that both of them sometimes act like teenagers, not like guys in their late twenties. BTW Hayley has his 28th birthday tomorrow, December 23.
I don’t think so Joe. It’s said that it’s better to be lucky than good. This applies to the contract that Jose and Greenberg got. In a year when the Marlins weren’t opening a new ball park, the good job label would likely be called a bad job label. Did Greenberg know the desperation of the Marlins ahead of the Jose negotiation? Shouldn’t have I think. Would that be tampering? Don’t know but it sounds like it to me. Is Loria going to be able to complete Jose’s contract if the fans don’t come out in droves? Only time wiil tell.
By the way, who is the ‘everybody’ that’s skew the facts to make the Mets look rosy? My thoughts are that there is compelling evidence that the Mets don’t look rosy without this episode so why pile on when Jose’s team isn’t clean? It’s not necessary to make the Mets look bad. In fact I think Jose and Greenberg look only slightly better than Irving Picard in my view.
No, just cutting a big check is not a great job. How is over paying a great job?
All you did was confirm what I’ve been saying. The Marlins offered way more money than what anyone else would.
“Let me just add that the Brewers and Tigers both set up appts to meet with Reyes in Dallas with the common knowledge Reyes had a 6/90 deal from the Fish. Did you think they were gonna offer less? Especially the Brewers who were losing Fielder? ”
Greenburg and Reyes believed that. otherwise, why jump at the first offer before you even met with anyone else?
The only way what Reyes did makes sense is if he believed that what the Marlins offered was far beyond what everyone else would offer.
Forget throwing out the first pitch, give ‘em a chance to join the rotation. We could use some help.
I was going to drop 20 mil but they were still going to make me drop 395 simolies on one the their memorial bricks that they invited me to buy via e mail. I did get my discount though for my Mets hats on mlb shop. The folks who drop 20 mil really don’t care about the perks. They want the bragging rights when they go to their cocktail parties on Park Ave and the Upper West Side. They want the connection to arrange business deals. The chance that their even baseball fans is slim or none. They could raise money by just selling stock to the public. Even though it would be money down a rat hole I nwould still pay 50 bucks for a share of Mets stock to frame and hang on my wall. They could design a stock certificate that could be a work of art. I would love to say I own a share of the New York Mets.
Joe & Donal: I’ll also throw this out there. I don’t care what Sandy Alderson says on the phone with bloggers. I mean I do, but when it comes to closed door business I’m not sure why you would expect him to mention the parameters of a deal during negotiations?
So much goes on when that door closes that you’ll likely never know.
Want an example?
Name the team that made Alex Rodriguez the 2nd best offer behind Texas’ Tom Hicks offer? I know for a fact what the answer is, do you?
Wasn’t it the Braves for 100 million less?
Wonder what the Wilpon’s definition of a luxury box is – a gift box from Tiffany’s?
Who cares about what players will or will not do when it comes to contract time. Give me a break, either way the owners cry, the players cry, why cus these players with their hungry agents drain too much money to begin with. For as the mets case in general, the wilpons just need to sell, don’t these people get it by now. Players want to leave, players don’t want to sign as long as the wilpons still own the mets. I just don’t understand why nobody reads what i write. I’ve been a long time mets fan. It breaks my heart, we can’t be on the same level as the yankees. These owners need to leave town, cus like i msaid they’ve done nothing for the mets since they became owners.20mm for only 4 percent really, they are afraid of someone who has good stakes say something to get the ball rolling. So they slap a minor stake instead to keep partners shut up. Like i said we need new BLOOD as owners to BUILD a DYNASTY for a long time. Inm a contact clause they should where if players don’t play, or show that they can play on major league level, and produce if they don’t then start minus the money, sorry but that’s how it should be. Right we need new BLOOD first. then we can look at other things.
Strange as this sounds I actually agree with jessep on Alderson. From day one he’s been lying to fans and even bloggers. You cant trust anything he says. I’ve never seen a GM tell so many bold faced lies as he does. Never. How many times have I said he was lying about keeping Reyes? Or that 2011 wasn’t a throwaway? Lied all through the Krod option saga. Lied about spending the $60 mil in 2012. Who is the only poster who called him out on this site on all the bs that most on this site swallowed whole? The minute lied about not knowing his A’s team was on Roids, I knew he couldn’t be trusted. Now you see excuses for all the lies he told. His army has been trained well. Birds of a feather stick together.
Totally agree. Alderson is the consummate bull artist relying on his communication style to deceive.
What person believes everything they hear someone say who’s being paid to talk? Does anyone here really believe what they hear on radio ads? TV commercials? Corporate Spokesman? Defense Attorney’s? Politicians? Salesman?
Let me clue you in here. ALL of these people are paid to put the best possible slant on everything. If you owned a business that was subject to public scrutiny would you hire a spokesman who portrayed your companies product and policy changes in anything but the best light? If you say yes your a fool or a liar. One or the other.
How much confidence would Met customers and possible investors have in the organization if Alderson came out and said “hey, times are tough here, there’s no money, we’re gutting the team, building up and hopefully will be able to compete for a wild card in 2014.”
If he said that you’d still be as angry but even less likely to go to Citi or watch the game and that would only exaserbate the situation. Alderson is being PAID to put things the way he does just like every other corporate spokesperson in every single industry in every country in the World.
Stop being so naive and start listening with your eyes.
t agee,
Sandy engages in far more than ordinary spin and public relations. His communication style is predicated on manipulation, on image and appearance, rather than substance. His answers are nearly always that of avoidance and evasion, measuring every word not to commit to anything, just like he did with Reyes on a larger scale.
Taking minutes to provide non-answer to a question that could be addressed in 10 seconds, is his evasive norm. While that style worked for him his whole career, it doesn’t fly here in NY. His addressing the media at the winter meetings when Reyes was nearly locked up a Marlin, was a disgrace, responding like he was evading the Plague, rather than being accountable for his mega blunder.
It’s not more than ordinary spin and PR Lifelong. It’s the same spin and PR we all face all day everyday in our ordinary life. He was hired to keep the media at bay and the fans from decending on the Bastille and killing the king.
This organization has constantly made things worse than they were with their side shows in front of the media to the point where we have become a complete laughingstock even to non sports fans across the Country the way George Steinbrenner used to be before he hired a PR firm. No organization can survive the constant buffoonery and circus act that has been a staple of the Met FO for a quarter of a century especially with a seemingly new revelation and indignity of our reality coming forth every week or even day now.
Someone has to stand up there and shade, slant, BS, stall, spin, lie, distract, buy time or whatever you want to call it. Without the ability to outspend everyone else we have to find another way to do it but those avenues take a lot more time. Alderson is here partly to buy that time in a circus free environment which is to our benefit as it gives us the best chance to get this fixed sooner, rather than later.
The BS is no different than “This will be the most transparent administration.” He never told us he was having surgery.” “This is just a temporary tax.” “We will do whatever we have to to give Met Fans a team they can be proud of.” “I did not have sexual relations with that women.” “We really battled out there.” “I can fix him in 10 minutes.” “I did not bet on baseball.” “JJ Putz rehab has been delayed.” “Skill sets. “I have never taken steroids.” Sanatana, Reyes, Beltran, Wright, Church, Delgado, Putz, Wagner, Alou, Pedro, El-Duque and Floyd are all day to day and we have to weigh putting our best players on the DL.” “I am not a crook.” “The Madoff situation will not hinder the Mets day to day operations.”
The fact is we’re being lied to and deceived all day everyday by everyone. You got people telling you not only is it irrelevant that a spy is unmasked by her own government for political purposes but it was actually a good idea to do so. The facts are that the Mets didn’t get into this situation over the course of a couple of years. This day has been coming for a long long time whether anyone knew it or not and it simply couldn’t have arrived at a worse time and now we’re paying for it.
I get that you don’t like being deceived and the manner in which the deception is delivered. No one appreciates that but to me it’s a lot better than having a constant media freak show lampooning the Mets every where from Leno to Lenningrad and regardless of anything that Alderson or any other GM could say ultimately their just words that wouldn’t change a single thing about our plight. Nothing would be different. Reyes would still be gone. K-Rod and Beltran as well. William Washington’s Calvary isn’t hiding just below the ridge to come in and save the day at Cowpens. Words are just words. Actions are what’s needed here and actions are the only things that will make a difference. That and a couple of catchers, pitchers, and OFers and that’s gonna take time.
“He was hired to keep the media at bay and the fans from decending on the Bastille and killing the king”
Oh Please thats NOT what he was hired to do!
He as hired to FIX the team and make it COMPETITIVE so he would not HAVE TO SPIN his wheels deflecting criticism!
He was NOT hired to destroy the team and present it as roses to the masses!
And if he was then that just says he should not have been hired at all!
BAD DECISION!
Which if JoeD is correct wasn’t a decision at all it was forced upon them by Selig!
And I have a theory on that JoeD!
We all talk about Selig being in cahoots with the WIlpons but what if the plan all along was to get rid of them by making the deal with his buddy Einhorn who would have taken control of the team if the team kept losing money which he could have guaranteed by forcing Alderson as the GM and making him do exactly what he has been doing, destroying and dismantling this franchise!
When the Wilpons looked and got onto that possibility, they then forced Selig to back down. It was noted that Einhorn had cross words with Wilpon but no mention of him being pissed at Selig you notice!
I have no other proof to back that up with mind you so take that as just conspiratorial and unsubstantiated…
But it would fit the events that unfolded over the past year wouldn’t it?
It should go without saying that he was hired to make the team as good as he could given our new reality but to make the team competitive is going to take time. During that time he’s going to have to keep the media from dredging up a **** storm everytime a new indignity surfaces.
If the money’s not there what could anyone else do?
People act like Alderson is trying to keep his fortune from dwindling but it’s not his money or lack therof. When he was GM in Oakland he spent more money than anyone else in the Majors. When the owner Walter Hauss died the new owners made him sell off. When money was no issue he spent like Omar when it was he spent like De Roulet.
He’s probably had at different times the largest payroll and the smallest one and he’s only doing the owners bidding anyway. No one else would be able to do anything different. The players he’s bringing in are the Major League version of the amateurs we’ve been drafting for 25 years. Cheap cause somethings wrong with them. Older cause they were passed over as HS kids or college Jr’s, one dimensional, low ceiling, whatever. That’s why we’re in this mess to begin with.
Why isn’t Fred commenting on Reyes not being retained? He comments on everything else. Where’s Jeff? I haven’t seen or heard from him since ST 10 months ago. They always have plenty to say when their angry. They had plenty to say when Beltran had surgery. Players didn’t go to Walter Reed. Jeff stated that “we didn’t pick Perez.” Jeff leaked that Peterson told him “I can fix Zambranno in 10 minutes.” Where’s the angry press conference like at the end of the 2007 and 2008 season if there so mad.
Seems to me their pretty happy the way things are being done or we would have heard from them like we always have in the past. Not a peep though. Not like Loria and Moreno. Not like they used to be. Buried, hidden, lying low, in the foxhole letting Alderson take all the fire.
Not a peep.
I’m in agreement with just about all of this.
I could care less if the FO come out and admits they’re ‘blowing it up’, rebuilding, etc.
Just get it done sooner rather than later.
There you go Srt thats pretty much how everyone feels!
I don’t care if the situation is dire just tell me and get on with it!
I wouldn’t hire a doctor who thinks I need open heart surgery sugar coating it and telling me Oh don’t worry your going to be running around the hospital in a week when he knows full well I got a good chance of being carried off in a bag from the operating table!
Tell me what needs to be done, don’t lie to me and blow sunshine up my butt!
Tell me the truth and I will respect you for doing so. to the point that if I can trust what you say then maybe I will feel I can also trust what you will do!
All he is doing with these lies is what we hate about the Wilpons before he ever got here!
Lying stealing and cheating the fans so we will continue to buy tickets!
I prefer honestly and if I get it I can at least deal with the TRUTH even when it hurts because I know it IS the Truth!
You’re comparing apples and oranges. My doctor ‘sugar coating’ it may have serious effects on my health – if I don’t understand the ramifications of the fact.
The current FO of the Mets admitting/not admitting what’s going on does not. It’s a game, one I follow because I love baseball, the team I follow b/c I’m a die hard Met fan. Doesn’t affect my personal life or health at all.
See the difference?
Perhaps some of us have been around a bit longer and realize this is the same game most franchises play at one time or another. They’ll tell you what they want you to know, when they feel it’s prudent. Otherwise, they’ll keep it close to their vest, for various reasons. In this case, I fully believe it’s to ‘sugar coat’ it, as you say. The Wilpons need the revenues, they gave out the script, Alderson is following it. Most intelligent Met fans get what’s really going on.
Perhaps your just happy getting lied to
I am not and if this organization wants my trust they have to EARN IT!
If they lie as a matter of course then what else will they try to pull on me!
They want my money then show me your honest!
If you lie just to get it then your a crook and I will not trust you!
He was hired to make this team good not to act as it’s frontline con artist!
You like being lied to thats your perogative!
And no I don’t see the difference in my analogy!
Both are professionals meant to advise me on a situation and possible solutions!
If you lie to me then I can’t trust you or your opinion!
And I will not accept anything you try and say OR DO!
I do recall when Sandy indeed got caught in a lie in which few picked up on.
When Jose Reyes first pulled that hamstring in July there was a press conference after the game in which Sandy said the injury was not serious, that Jose did not need to be placed on the disabled list and most likely would be alright to play in the upcoming all-star game. He just needed a few days rest. That was on a Sunday afternoon.
After being placed on the DL, Sandy appeared in the booth during a Met road telecast to discuss the situation. His story was suddenly different. He said he was told by the medical staff there was little chance Jose would be able to play and not avoid going on the disabled list but since there was still a slight chance they waited a few days knowing they could still place him on the disabled list retroactive to that past Sunday.
Quite different story, right? My thoughts were that because the Mets were going to host the Phillies that weekend, the announcement was delayed as much as possible so not to affect advance ticket sales for all three games. This manipulation was done by the Mets before. During the off season they covered up the severity of the injury to Santana until after the deadline for season tickets. The same was done the year before under Omar with Beltran. Remember both times how we were all caught off guard after the players themselves went public instead of the team.
Anything for the price of a ticket.
Omar was forced to take the same rap for them as well. He took the blame for firing Willie Randolph in such an inappropriate manner when it smelled of Wilpon.
Your right Joey. The Mets have always dicked around with injuries, not putting guys on the DL, everyone’s day to day right up until Oct. 1st. Then their rehabbing and will be good to go Feb 20th. Always the same thing. Madoff won’t affect anything. It’s not acceptable to miss out on the playoffs, we’re going to whatever needs to be done…………blah blah blah.
“My thoughts were that because the Mets were going to host the Phillies that weekend, the announcement was delayed as much as possible so not to affect advance ticket sales for all three games.”
And it worked that was one of the highest attended games not vs the Yankees!
Yes they do but only when they say they are NOT interested in acquiring a player…Like Cliff Lee!
No One knew they were going to make a bid and they won wthout having to give the highest one either!
One has to wonder what might have happened if Sandy would have said here is the best I can do…
You never know but reyes dure couldn’t accept an offer that was never made!
I can’t understand what it is your asking? What difference does it make what he says? How would anything be different if he came out and said we’re not making an offer to Reyes cause we can’t afford to?
Franchise players. That’s about finding them and developing them. Yeah he believes in that. How is that a lie? Cause the owners are cutting back a rookie league? How is that his fault?
How is that any different than trying to keep Beltran’s impending surgery from getting out before ticket selling time? That’s the biggest lie of all.
If I were you I would just not worry about what he says. He’s being paid by the Wilpon’s to put their cost saving moves in the best possible light. How is that not crystal clear? The same exact **** has been going on around here for 25 years.
Two 1st round picks for Chris Carter wasn’t BS? Purposely drafting lesser talented, but less expensive players? Access to Mr. Met? “The Mets won’t be effected by the Madoff situation?”
Everything in this organization has been about slanting public perception and avoiding criticism instead of the one and only thing that matters and would solve all the other problems.
Running the team in a competent manner with a long term view instead of what looks good on a year to year basis.
Yes it would because at least he would be speaking the truth!
Thge only REASON to lie was to sucker those who believed he was going to try and get Reyes back to buy season tickets to see Torres and Chuck James!
Joey D. — You say:
“Omar was forced to take the same rap for them as well. He took the blame for firing Willie Randolph in such an inappropriate manner when it smelled of Wilpon.”
As I recall, the instigators were Little Jeff and Tony Bernazard, who worked Jeff over.
Not a doubt in my mind Omar didn’t want to fire Willie. After that homestand, when they were getting ready to leave for the airport for the flight out to the west coast, Willie actually said something to Omar like: ‘hey, tell me now. Don’t make me board that plane if I won’t be with the team on the way back’. That’s one of the reasons Willie said he was surprised the firing came after that first game played on that trip.
I don’t know if Omar was trying to prolong the inevitable or hoping he could change the Wilpon’s mind but either way, it was really handled poorly by the Mets, as usual.
If I’m not mistaken, I saw a interview with Alderson where they were asking him about injuries, etc. I believe it was concerning Ike when that injury went on longer than anticipated.
He said if there’s one thing he’s learned in his short time here is that’s he not any kind of medical expert and he needs to leave the diagnosis and estimation of recovery up to them. He passed some comment about Ike initially not being that serious (as was initially relayed to him) and the fans jumped all over that when it was determined it was. Of course, we fans jumped all over that.
I’m not sure if Alderson realized the injury history with this team and just how bad it was in the past few years, but I’ll bet he gets it now…
Looks like other than the Mets perks news it was a rather ho-hum day around the blogosphere.
This organization gets more squirelly by the day. I can’t wait for Banner Day…..
I agree that this was a very interesting year to reinstate that particular activity!
Can anyone really imagine that shading the truth wouldn’t be part of the job when your working for the Wilpon’s?
Grow up, it’s been like this since day 1.
You mean like shading the truth that we are going to be fun to watch (unless your a phillies fan it will be a lot of fun for them) or that we won’t be PUNTING which we probably should actually try because they sure won’t be winning anything playing baseball!
Football seems like a good fall back option with who Sandy has acquired!
Remember ‘The Magic Is Back’ in 1980? Just where exactly was THAT team going that year???
Last year about two and a half hours before the home opener a pair of tickets in the Champions Section was plucked down on my desk by a vendor. I called up the wife, told her to get on a heavy coat and ran out of the office. We were thrilled. This year, if the same situation occurs, I’m really tempted to say thank you but no thanks.
This about sums up my disgust not of course with the players or coaches but with the owners and their executives. Even the perks of sitting in a luxury area otherwise out of bounds on an opening day isn’t enough for me to reduce the amount of empty seats in the stands, the only venue open to us for protest.
I say the Yankees should make the Wilpons an offer they couldn’t refuse. Think of the brilliance of this idea. The Mets could be a developmental team for the Yankees and since they are right across town they could call players up in case of an injury and put them back on the train to Citi Field. They could send their rehab guys back to the Mets to get in shape before going back to the stadium and if their is a sellout at Yankee Stadium you can always go to Citi Field with lost of seats. They can’t lose.
Mike – He didn’t insult any writers or readers. Now go ahead and leave him your opinion on why he’s wrong. He was expanding on the comment before that (the name escapes me) someone else left.