Alderson Says Mets No Longer Buyers

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• Kymets July 23, 2012 at 6:08 pm

  Wowzer. Am I’m the only begining to hate this FO?
  • Alex68 July 24, 2012 at 10:10 am

    KYMETS, there’s a bandwagon a few of us have been driving the past 2 years, a lot of people have jumped in it lately, please advise and we’ll be sure to pick u up!
    • Kymets July 24, 2012 at 6:04 pm

      Yeah I’m ready ride
    • Kymets July 24, 2012 at 6:04 pm

      I tried to give them a chance
• Bayonne Mets Fan July 23, 2012 at 6:19 pm

  This guy is turning out to be the biggest BULLSHlT artist to ever be Mets GM and you have to be a FOOL to buy a ticket to support this team as long as this quitter is in charge.

  And that’s exactly what he did -he QUIT. The Mets are 5 games out of the Wild Card race and they are throwing in the towel. The call to fire this horrendous GM should start now.
• K Maxx July 23, 2012 at 6:21 pm

  Like I’ve been saying all along, he’s a compulsive liar. If this news shocks you it means you’re a sap, smarten up.
• jerseymet July 23, 2012 at 6:29 pm

  So sell. Time to clear out the veterans eligible for free agency. The 40 man roster has room for young players being waived by other teams.
• gorgeguy July 23, 2012 at 6:40 pm

  I was definitely on the “WTF FO?” bandwagon 10 days ago. I felt they should make a move for a real closer (Street or Broxton), a catcher and a power right-handed batter immediately (Willingham sounded good). Then they were swept by the Braves, and I was livid that the F.O. didn’t do anything about the bullpen.

  Now, after watching almost ever facet of the “strengths” evaporate, I’m fairly certain that there was no way 1-2 guys was going to salvage this sinking ship. The timely hitting has dropped off, and most of the starters …. BIG worries there.

  I don’t think the FO refused to pick up players by choice; I think the few sellers were in an extreme power position due to the sheer number of buyers. I still think Sandy et al needs to make some minor trades to shore up the many loose ends, including: A right-handed hitting catcher who can hit (Shoppach); a right-fielder who looks like an outfielder (promote Fred Lewis or play Jordany every day); only 1 left-handed hitting first baseman (either Lucas or Ike, not both); and the demotion or trade of Kirk (he has to work on his several holes with less pressure).
  • Amazin July 24, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    The team saw what you saw, saw the BS in Buffao with Harvey and they QUIT. why not, the boss quits why shouldn’t the staff!
• Hodges14 July 23, 2012 at 7:08 pm

  Thought he was wrong for throwing the players under the bus and making it sound like dont blame me, blame the players poor performance. That’s why they needed help you dope. I cant defend him anymore. Actually I feel like a fool for believing him all this time.
  • gorgeguy July 23, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    “Dope” … bummer, I was hoping for dialogue.
• L.J. Phipps July 23, 2012 at 7:23 pm

  They were never going to make any moves. They knew the bullpen was a weakness in late May, now with 3/5′s of your rotation down what do they say? “That they are most likely standing pat.” Wow, I am really not surprised it just affirms what most of us thought to begin with. Nothing was, will, or is going to happen. Hopefully the team will find itself and get back on track. What I do want to know is what this means for Wright, Byrdak, Hairston, maybe even Santana (when he returns from the DL). I was hoping the team would have played better these past two weeks, but I also hoped they would have infused a player or two to help out. This is not a bad team, just a few holes needed to be filled and a few tweaks, but again the top is letting the bottom fall out another year. The “evil empire” would never stand for this …………………..
  • Mike July 24, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    I agree 100%
• Clayton Collier July 23, 2012 at 7:51 pm

  Look in the background of that picture. That’s how many fans are going to be in the ballpark.

  Your team needed a bullpen, and you sit around and watched it burn instead of doing something.
• Rich from Lake Como July 23, 2012 at 7:55 pm

  I said it last year…. Sandy Alderson’s only job with the Mets was to get the Wilpon’s payroll down to the 80 to 100 million dollar range. Sell, Fred, Sell…..
  • Joey D. July 23, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    Hi Rich,

    I said that about Sandy last year too – and so many come back with Zach Wheeler. If San Francisco didn’t offer Wheeler, we would have sent Beltran to a club for that famous “player to be named later”.
    • Mr North Jersey July 23, 2012 at 10:48 pm

      You continue to miss the boat on Beltran I see. Again, Beltran was not traded to lower payroll.

      “To complete the deal, the Mets will pick up $4 million of the $6.5 million that Beltran has left on his contract.”
      http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/6808543/carlos-beltran-accepts-trade-san-francisco-giants-says-goodbye-new-york-mets
      • Joey D. July 24, 2012 at 1:23 am

        Hi North,

        Don’t think so? Read the attached interview with Sandy Alderson regarding the trade:

        http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/30669/gm-alderson-explains-trade

        Yes, he talks about how getting Wheeler was the best deal. But there were some other things he was quite honest about with the press which included the money issue:

        - “The GM said had a prospect the caliber of Wheeler not been available, the Mets may have looked for salary relief instead. The Mets are paying $4 million of the remaining $6.4 million. “We strategically might have gone the other direction,” he said.”

        - “Alderson said the Francisco Rodriguez and Beltran deals combined to save about $5 million, which he hopes to reinvest rather than have ownership pocket.”

        According to that conference call, talks began around July 1st. Yet, Sandy admitted that other teams knew of the situation with Carlos for quite a while before though publicly saying the earlier trading of KRod was separate from the Beltran issue.

        http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/07/14/sandy-alderson-k-rod-trade-doesnt-mean-fire-sale-for-mets/

        Beltran himself acknowledged the possibility of the Mets trading him back in November, 2010and said he would even waive his no trade clause. He understood the business.

        http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5792180

        You don’t recall all the talk from before spring training in 2011 about Beltran, Reyes and Krod being out of here by the trade deadline?

        http://bleacherreport.com/articles/667070-new-york-mets-success-puts-gm-sandy-alderson-in-awkward-position

        Connect all the pieces. From that CBS report: ““Carlos’ situation is well known to all teams,” Alderson said. “Not surprisingly, given his situation as well as his performance this year, there has been a lot of interest.” From that conference call after the trade: “Alderson said the Francisco Rodriguez and Beltran deals combined to save about $5 million, which he hopes to reinvest rather than have ownership pocket.”

        Not forgetting that four months later the Mets needed a $40 million bridge loan just to meet end of the month operating expenses while still having been unable to pay MLB the original $25 million they needed for the same reason that prior winter.

        If this isn’t evidence that Beltran was out the door regardless of Wheeler, I honestly do not know what is. Again, don’t forget they twice had to borrow a combined $65 million to meet expenses. That wasn’t taking out a capital loan. That was borrowing money to simply pay the bills.
        • Mr North Jersey July 24, 2012 at 11:20 am

          Fact: “The Mets trade for Beltran was not for salary relief they paid $4M of the remaining $6.5M” Which is what I have always maintained.

          Now is your point that you agree that the Beltran trade was not for salary relief but that it is your opinion that had they not traded him for Wheeler they “MAY” have looked for salary relief based on what Alderson said?

          If this is the case nothing further needs to be said.
          • Joey D. July 24, 2012 at 1:50 pm

            Hi North,

            When the general manager points out he hopes he can use the combined $5 million savings for player personnel instead of the owners pocketing it, I think that explains it all. Now if one mentions the Mets still had to pay Beltran $4 million that is also ignoring that they also wound up saving $2.5 million in what they otherwise would have had to pay. And of course, prospects were going to be part of any deal they were to cut.

            Beltran was just part of the cost-cutting process. The evidence is so overwhelming in terms of not just what happened last July but with everything that has occurred nearly the past two years in terms of actions taken, statements made and financial disclosures. If further concrete evidence is required, attached is still another link, this time an interview made in February, 2011. Sandy was talking about a reduced payroll in terms of 2012, noting the reason why the Mets could go back to being spenders (“We’ve got lots of money coming off the books next year.”).

            There is a lot more to it than Sandy mentioned in the interview. Note the actual state of the Wilpon economy in the article that comes after that (and even without the then civil suit hanging over their heads, the facts show how financially bad shape the Wilpons were in long before that February, 2011 interview). And then take into account Sandy’s words against the actions that have actually been taken.

            You still think salary dumping had nothing to do with Beltran? Again, they didn’t spend $4 million more on anything, they wound up saving $2.5 million instead. And that $2.5 million is a paltry sum compared to their overall situation but it was indeed needed nevertheless.

            http://www.bettercommerceblog.com/?p=126

            http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7495352/new-york-mets-financial-calamity-threatens-engulf-mets
            • Mr North Jersey July 24, 2012 at 6:02 pm

              Don’t look now but the boat just left.
              Sorry Joey D but if you struggle to even see that the Beltran trade was an attempt to get the best prospect possible so much so that they were willing to pay about 62% of his remaining salary and not salary relief as you suggest which if they wanted they could of had 100% salary relief and taken a lesser prospect then there really is not much more I can add other than to leave you be with your thoughts on this.

              Have a good one Joey D.
              • Joey D. July 24, 2012 at 7:11 pm

                Hi North,

                Didn’t I mention that Sandy was looking for prospects when it came to Beltran?

                My point is looking at the way the season was going, the bleak financial reality, etc., that Beltran was going to be shipped no matter what. If we the top hitter on a team going nowhere, then fine – but the top hitter on a team that two thirds into the season was still in the thick of a…., oh, what the heck. We’re just going to go back and forth on that one.

                But that is what I mean about being traded due to financial considerations much more than looking for prospects. Those were the circumstances Sandy had to deal with. Just like earlier this season when they could have been buyers (cash and not so hot prospects still do talk) and weren’t, last season they were sellers before spring training even began.

                BTW – Carlos’ departure had nothing to do with any vision for if Zach Wheeler didn’t come along, he would have been traded even for a Joey D. and Mr. North Jersey as long as it meant saving a few bucks. BTW – don’t you think we would have made a great battery together – you pitching and always shaking off my signs?
    • Fonzie13 July 24, 2012 at 2:13 am

      Joey you’ve been a little quiet regarding K-Rod lately. Could that be because he’s 2-5, 4.47 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 5 blown saves. Still think he’s worth 17.5 million?
      • Joey D. July 24, 2012 at 11:59 am

        Ah, Fonzie,

        Knew you wouldn’t pass up such an opportunity! But do you mean the KRod of last night or the one prior to that who had two saves, two holds and a win in five straight appearances? The one who saw his ERA go up by nearly a half a run by giving up four runs in 2/3 an inning last night or the one who had lowered his ERA from 6.57 to 3.59 over a period of two and a half months?

        Guess that answers your question. With Takahashi and Issy – the two other quality relievers that Sandy did not to keep – along with KRod the Mets would have built up a better record before this schnyd and those three blown saves against Atlanta and Washington on the road could have gone instead in our favor and thus, Sandy would still be put in the corner about having to be a buyer.

        No player, not even a rookie, is worth the money he is getting but since when talking in terms of the business of sports and the high revenue (different from the Bernie, mess, the real estate bust and suddenly not having the money to pay off loans) as I said, it is a matter of what the investment yields and it’s value to the team than a contract once already signed (not giving one a numb skull offer in the first place is another story, of course).
        • Sane Mets Fan July 24, 2012 at 5:52 pm

          And how can you ignore the fact that A) Sports owners are not in the business of losing money if they can help it and B) given all of the known financial issues the team is facing that the on field product would reflect the need to cut costs as needed. This was bound to happen, and while yes I don’t like it I won’t act outraged at a GM who has a boss he has to answer to much like everyone else in this country. Hell, the company I work for posted record profits last year. When 2012 began I received a letter from corporate thanking me for my hard work and dedication to make this possible and an explanation of how my health benefits and 401k match would be decreased in order to ensure profits continue to rise. And that’s with a profit! People need to accept the situation and understand it. The only solution is for the Wilpons to magically have more money and decide to reinvest or sell the team. The issue isn’t that Sandy is decreasing payroll as part of an organizational mandate of cutting cost.
          • Joey D. July 24, 2012 at 7:33 pm

            Hi Sane,

            That is indeed the entire point – the circumstances that are causing all these moves.

            Though he can’t admit it publicly, many of us are upset not so much with Sandy Alderson because we recognize the purpose of his work at hand but with those who profess the moves are in terms of what is best for the team instead of the ownership. Based on personnel only, we should have been buyers over the past two winters and by that I mean acquiring more than just bargain basement players and reclamation projects. This did not mean having to either bankrupt the farm system or the teams finances.

            The Mets are still a gold mine in profits and once their financial house is in somewhat better order, the Wilpons can again concentrate on making that money instead of needing it to pay off debt. That is Sandy’s vision; that is what he was hired for. That is clearly what is needed as evidenced in all those previously attached links. If we had new owners our fortunes on the field definitely would have been better. We would not to wait five or six years for a vision whose draft picks could do to us what Paul DePodesta’s already did for San Diego.
• Tampametsfan July 23, 2012 at 10:38 pm

  Mets have no reason to make.stupid trades now. They can afford to lose their few good prospects and really never had a shot at anything this year. Alderson is smart to wait and ignore fans. No amount of trades are going to turn this team into a world series team this year. He is building for the future.
  • srt July 23, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    This.
    Way too many holes to try and fill this season. Not to mention what the SP looks like now b/c of injuries.
  • Amazin July 24, 2012 at 8:12 am

    You defend can’t buy…But you ignore can’t sell. You ignore the fact that this guy can’t do anything. I guess a losing record suits you just like it suits him.
• Metfan Lou July 23, 2012 at 11:35 pm

  It is apparent that Terry Collins can not get these guys to play better. Time to give Tim Teufel the reins for the rest of the season to see if we have a future with him in ’13. Tell me why we are hanging on to Collins. I know he doesn’t play the field but their not playing for him either. Let’s move on!
  • Joey D. July 24, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    Hi Lou,

    Tim Teuflel? The one who wanted Murphy to run home and be thrown out dead to rights (agreed upon by Ron and Keith) while Daniel, looking at the play from over his shoulder, had the smarts to hold up at third and ignore the third base coach’s instructions?

    Maybe not Terry Collins (I don’t know) but Tim isn’t the answer.
• Gary S. July 23, 2012 at 11:52 pm

  I will never buy a ticket again till SA and the Wilponzis are gone.Which means I will probably never see anothe Met game in person.Truly disgraceful to treat a fan base like this.Agree about Collins.Pack a bag Collins.Tired of your dumb moves and dumb line ups and the crying jags.there is no crying in baseball.
  • NJstuckinTX July 24, 2012 at 12:10 am

    Did you want him to trade Harvey or Wheeler for Dempster? Because that’s about what the trade market is bearing.

    If they were smart, they’d be listening to see what Murph would fetch, especially while he is hot.
    • Vinny B July 24, 2012 at 12:17 am

      Why do you assume he’s talking about Dempster? There’s other deals the Mets could make. I was looking at it today, the Whitesox gave up very little for Meyers – I believe they gave up a A and AA pitcher, and they both have ERA’s close to 4.

      Anyway, the Mets have to improve the pen at some point next year too – Maybe there’s a guy out there that can help this year AND next year? Not everything has to be a rental.

      And maybe for a starter, look at Clayton Richard? He’s not gonna cost Wheeler or Harvey, and would improve the rotation. .
      • NJstuckinTX July 24, 2012 at 12:28 am

        I’m not assuming he means Dempster. I’m just pointing out that the costs are steep in this market, with so many people still considering themselves as Buyers.

        And for Meyers, he was basically sold off by Houston. The prospects they got back wasn’t much of a return. Houston was scared he would make his option vest. 10 mil for next year… Would Meyes help? Yes. I’d bet dimes to donuts that massive option played a part in their decision to pass. That, and Williams is an animal with no fear!

        But your point, on looking for pieces I absolutely agree with. They should be looking for something that is controllable beyond this season and can ideally improve the team now. I think Murph could bring a decent return, without a doubt.
        • Vinny B July 24, 2012 at 12:38 am

          Thats not really a step price for Demptser anyway – He’s been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, so of course he’s gonna cost you an arm and a leg.

          I think there’s other players available that won’t cost you Wheeler or Harvey out there, that can help this year and maybe next year too. Not anybody big, but just somebody who can get some outs!
        • Vinny B July 24, 2012 at 12:46 am

          What I’m saying is that’s a fair price Dempster, and that has nothing to do with the “market”. That’s what he’s gonna cost because he’s been great this year, not because of the market.
    • Amazin July 24, 2012 at 8:15 am

      Hey, defender, There have been trades and there ain’t no
      Wheelers moving. End of discussion. Too hard to defend the lying GM.
• eddie86 July 24, 2012 at 1:01 am

  Sandy alderson is not a very good GM .. why a Good GM improves his team..[get a closer]..something he hasnt done.If he did the mets would still have a winning record.
• sarge69 July 24, 2012 at 1:39 am

  And this is news because…..SA has no intention of trading for help, he just wants to continue what he had hoped the demise, continue to development of younger players in a losing environment not helped by veterans that are playing so bad that rookies look better, yeah you Bay, Nickeas, Hairston (in spite of HR, he is a bench player) and the worthless BP that just sucks the energy out of you every night.

  Yeah SA that might work on the left coast but not here in NY where your body language tells us what you are really saying.
• Sammy Garcia July 24, 2012 at 2:49 am

  Mets management get the first prize in lying to their fan base, we were having such a great season and they never added at least a good reliever…see how fast the attendance drops now that is official that they are giving up…lets wait another 25 years…
• Alex68 July 24, 2012 at 7:16 am

  I have said this from day one, this man is a loser, all he’s done is lie to this fan base and pretend somehow we matter. We don’t! many had pegged this guy as a genius, smart guy, he knows what he’s doing blah blah blah, well, i was not convinced by one bit, after seeing the mess he left in SD, how he was out of baseball and seemed out of touch with the new baseball guides, i was not buying into whatever he was selling, specially after many people (in this very blog) were literally crowning this guy, He was given an amazingly huge pass last offseason and everything was omar’s fault, then this offseason was the wilpon’s, but i am glad people are starting to see the liar he is, he’s here with one goal in mind, reduce payroll, put a team on the field that can more or less compete and go home.
  7 straight losing season and #8 looming, he quit on the team when it was obvious the team needed him, but hey, He saved the wilpons money in not signing reyes and trading for Krod, that along should get him EXecutive of the year in baseball.. (SMH)
  Pathetic Franchise being run by a loser GM who on top of it is arrogant and dislikable.
  How ayone defend this guy is beyond me…
• GW July 24, 2012 at 9:32 am

  Come on your guys… He’s just trying to balance this .500 season with next year’s .500 season.
• theonlymaskman July 24, 2012 at 10:16 am

  The reality is that he was just waiting for the team to go into a tailspin so he could bail out on the buyer status. Buying is not his way, especially not buying for anything worthwhile. Citi will be bare of fans the balance of this season and with that the financial crisis of the ownership will resurface. By the way, whatever became of that GOOD DAY he had?
  • Mike July 24, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    very good post.
• Hitman July 24, 2012 at 10:25 am

  Within the last few weeks and especially since the start of the 2nd half, this man (Alderson) has completely soured on me. It’s not just him because I smell a rat…an old, stingy rat by the name of Fred Wilpon. I kept an open mind the last year and a half and I’ve been a lot more patient than others, but I’m fed up watching the Mets PISS this season away and nobody is doing anything to improve specific areas that badly needed shaping up (PITCHING!) and bullshitting us all, saying we’re “buyers” until now. Who were you kidding in the first place? If you wanted to buy, we would NEVER be below .500…hell, sniff anywhere near the brink of .500! I read that they are afraid to make the clubhouse barren? They better worry about Citi Field being barren. Don’t want to give up on the future? Fine, but at least make moves for future ML ready pieces, not keeping for hopes up for eventual one-dimensional players that disappoint us. No excuse for this shit. NONE!
• Marco July 24, 2012 at 12:25 pm

  Sandy A. has destroyed Mets fans’ season. He was status quo from day 1. When action was obvious to everyone, he gave us BS. This is yet another lost season. Thank God for the Olympics! Only solution to keep fans interested in the Mets: get rid of Bay, Torres, Beato, Ramirez, send Duda back to minors, take the hit, replace them with rookies. It will be messy but at least it will be fun to see rookies screw up while getting acclimated to the majors. Remember the movie, “The Replacements”? Need to do something drastic to save some dignity this season. Otherwise, this will go down as the most embarrassing Mets season in decades.
• BadBadLeroyBrown July 24, 2012 at 12:47 pm

  Am I the only one who felt Alderson was giving Mets fans lip service all along when he 1st stated they would be buyers but were waiting for the price to drop on certain players…

  Like last year I felt he was buying time and did not want to add anymore payroll and instead was waiting for Beato,Ramirez, or anyone in that pen to show a pulse so he could avoid adding anyone.

  2 years straight this underdog team fought but at the halfway point there Owners The Wilponzi’s and GM Alderson aka Fleece vest turned there backs and gave up on them.

  So I ask….

  WHY WOULD ANYONE PAY TO GO TO CITI FIELD????
  • Joey D. July 24, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    Hi BBLB,

    No, you were not alone. See my reply to Mr. North Jersey posted at 1:50 PM which again provides factual information that cannot be ignored in any discussion. As soon as he released Fellicano and Takahashi and replaced them with the less expensive, questionably healthy and/or lesser performing trio of Young, Carasco and Capuano one could see the handwriting on the wall.
    • Hitman July 24, 2012 at 2:50 pm

      Don’t get started about Feliciano. That “rubber arm” was bound to fall off after over 300 appearances the last few seasons as a Met. THAT was the writing on the wall. It was to no surprise (at least by me) he got hurt when he jumped to another team, and has YET to throw a pitch. Only good thing out of that is that we got Fulmer.
      • Joey D. July 24, 2012 at 3:15 pm

        Hi Hitman,

        Only raised the name of Feliciano because it was just another indication of how moves are being made as cost-cutting measures and not those related to building up the team.

        Rubber arm and all, Sandy was willing to sign Feliciano on for one year- the same offer he made to Takahashi Both were coming off good seasons. He did not want to commit to two year as other teams eventually did. but he had no problem committing to Carasco for two years, the one with a lifetime 4.50 ERA who pitched all of 22 innings the year before due to injury at a cost much less then either of the ones he let go.

        With all else that has gone up under his stay, it only points out to cost cutting as deeply as possible wherever he could (as one of the articles I attached pointed out). Why he then spends $12 million on Francisco – when taken into account the financial reality of the team – defies all logic.
• Phil Groh July 24, 2012 at 10:13 pm

  Me, I just sick to my stomach! Bring on football!