3
2012
Alderson Reveals His Offseason Plan
An article by 
Well, Sandy Alderson did meet with Mets beat writers as I mentioned earlier and he had a mouthful to say. Adam Rubin got a good summary of everything:
Wow… So lets see…
1. Informal conversations have taken place with Dickey and Wright. I think that’s called discussing parameters.
2. Buyouts on options for Santana and Bay ARE part of the 2013 Payroll – That’s Huge. $9 million. I had some questioning me about that.
3. Says his #1 Goal is building from the farm. That’s why we failed to sign our second round pick and 19 other draft selections?
4. Trades are not a given. Well duh, you need trade chips and Ike, Wright, Dickey and Niese is all you have.
5. Collins won’t be extended. That will make some happy here.
6. He is changing his approach to dealing with retaining players. Huh, no box of chocolates? Tell me that wasn’t a reference to the botched Reyes talks?
7. I still hold to my philosophy, but there are exceptions to every rule. I see a crack in the levee.
8. His second priority is retaining core players. Wonder who the core players are? Is Ike Davis a core player? Jon Niese?
9. “I don’t want to give the impression we’ll be in the free-agent market looking for significant” pieces. We will not in the near future have unlimited funds.” Ya think?
Nothing here that I didn’t already speculate or know. Just a solid validation of what I’ve been saying for months.
Remember my post “He Speaks” on what Alderson called “wholesale changes”? Like I said, ain’t happening…
So far we have the Same Owners, Same Front Office, Same Manager, Same Coaching Staff, and the Same Payroll going into the 2013 season. The Magic Is Back…
We at MMO would like to thank Sandy Alderson for his forthrightness.
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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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 23 | 18 | .561 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 19 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 22 | .476 | 3.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 6.5 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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Nothing to see here, just move along. I need a break…
Snoqualmie IPA baby. Now that is a break and a half!
That’s a new one too me you jerk. You are gonna get access to so much good stuff now.
Was on vacation and plowed through Woodstock Inn Brown Ale, Deviant Dales Pale Ale, and Six Point Bengali Tiger and some Stone smoked porter. Also got this Allagash that was fermented 4 times with 4 malts and 4 hops, gonna hold onto that one. And the other night at a party someone gave me a Allagash Curieux that is aged in Whiskey bottles. Stuff tasted like straight whiskey it was awesome.
And I don’t remember if you had access to it when you were in TX but Sierra Nevada is coming out with the celebration ale soon. When that stuff is out its all I drink till it’s gone.
It never ceases to amaze me how you Tex and Nova can talk Ale the way others talk about baseball.
The beauty of both lies in the subtleties. The skill of a properly executed drag bunt and the floral presence of a full citra hopped IPA… on par, in my mind.
HAHA Like a CF backing up the RF in the gap, the Hop backs up his partner the malt every-time.
It’s crazy here. It’s like you have to find a place that sells a macro-brew. I’m in sensory overload at the moment. Once I get the new digs I’m going to start home brewing, but it’s almost like why bother. There is so much around.
Issaquah Brewery was bough by Rouge. Good food and killer brews. Why would anyone live anywhere else? Oh, and football comes on at 10AM. For Beisbol, work lets out at 4-ish, i’m home for 3rd inning on.
Was at the said Snoqualmie brewery, and a chick walks in with what looks like a bumbo (you’ll have to have new borns to know what that is). But it wasn’t a bumbo, it was a growler bumbo. Held 3 growlers for safe transportation to and from said brewery. I was blown away.
Wow you may have NH beat, I didn’t even think about football starting that early. Don’t forget flying Salmon, I would tear that seafood scene up.
Issaquah Salmon fest is this weekend! I’ll save you a seat.
“. Buyouts on options for Santana and Bay ARE part of the 2013 Payroll – That’s Huge. $9 million. I had some questioning me about that.”
Taking the hit now to have that money off the books for next year? What if they are traded (God only knows how)?
“5. Collins won’t be extended. That will make some happy here.”
Not what he said.
“6. He is changing his approach to dealing with retaining players. Huh, no box of chocolates? Tell me that wasn’t a reference to the botched Reyes talks?”
Yes, seeing a change in resources allows to to use different options.
“7. I still hold to my philosophy, but there are exceptions to every rule. I see a crack in the levee.”
Or he is true to what he’s said before and he’s not an ideologue. Even you’ve agreed that those long term deals aren’t worth it. Just for now, they are an unpleasant reality.
“8. His second priority is retaining core players. Wonder who the core players are? Is Ike Davis a core player? Jon Niese?”
We’ll have to wait and see.
Donal, I have a question about that too. I keep hearing two different stories about that. But I guess that if Alderson said it counts than it must be true. And that means we’re already at around $95 million if we bring back Wright and Dickey and go to arbitration with Davis, Murphy and I think Parnell too. Bay is a killer because we get no production. At least we got 15 great starts from Johan, but nothing from Bay.
Rubin has the concise version up on his blog as well:
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/58372/sandy-alderson-address-offseason-challenges?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Don’t think I read anything here we already didn’t more or less assume.
#5 I guess you could read that into what Ruben is saying:
Alderson said there haven’t been discussions now of extending Terry Collins beyond 2013.
>>Personally, I don’t think Terry was going to be here long term to begin with. I’m guessing the plan was to move him to another capacity within the organization after this contract.
#6 Not sure this was ‘botched’ talks. Did the FO ever really intend on retaining Reyes? Not sure we’ll ever know…..
#8 I’d like to know who they consider the core players myself. Outside of Wright for sure (as long as he re-signs) and maybe Harvey, I have no idea.
#9 No surprise there. Is it to anyone for 2013?
There’s the plan, Stan. Or as much of one as we’re likely to get w/o them revealing the specifics on which direction they’re going in – which no FO does.
Interesting….
I think the buyouts being a part of the 2013 is really huge. That eats every but of flexibility up if they are not going to raise payroll.
True. That is one item I was surprised to read. I’ll confess to not being quite sure why they are included in next year’s payroll.
maybe so they can not do anything and have a excuse DUN DUN DUN!!!!
LOL…as if they needed that type of built in excuse.
Did anyone have them spending any money for 2013? I know I didn’t….
Realistically I thought (based on what they said) they would keep payroll the same with a pipe dream of maybe one back loaded contract. The pipe cream has turned into a pipe bomb and unless there is a trade to unload a decent amount of dollars (which comes down to 5 guys) then I don’t see anything happening. Plus don’t forget they got ARB coming up for a bunch of guys including Ike that will soak up the dollars like a sponge.
well, I thought they would spend about $95,000,000 on payroll in 2013. Which it seems they are.
Just ebcause 99% of it is already pre-spent does not mean they aren’t spening next year.
The organization didn’t let Jose Reyes “slip” away……they never intended to retain his services at any point in the process. As far as todays interview, it was same old, same old. Whenever Alderson speaks he has this knack that always leaves his listeners knowing as much as they did before he started talking.
I don’t really think the Reyes talks were “botched”. Rather, Met Brass likely never intended to talk to the Reyes camp with any realistic expectation of retaining him.
Sandy absolutely botched the handling of Reyes’ impending free agency, or he was constrained by the Wilpons and took the hit publicly. He could have walked acquired Zach Wheeler-type talent, but instead allowed Reyes to pursue a batting title in a Met uniform to bolster 2nd half ticket sales. Collective corporate dysfunction of a baseball operation.
Sandy appears to have more flexibility this year, which allows him to pursue long-term deals with Wright & Dickey.
I am curious to know whether the D-Backs would consider trading Justin Upton and what their asking price would be. Or what the Pirates asking price would be for Starling Marte? Shane Victorino, anyone?
Just asking questions about bringing in RH-hitting OF talent. Would Jason Bay be so kind as to accept deferred payments so that we could explore replacing what he is being paid to provide but cannot? Apart from being super polite, would he do the right thing?
Lots of questions going into this off-season, and not all of them bad. We’re light years ahead of where we were last year and to me, there’s just a few imperatives:
a – DW must be retained long-term
b – Core players include Harvey, Wheeler, Niese, Ike & Parnell – Please do not trade them.
c – Dickey’s trade value will never be higher.
d – Positions of need: OF & Catcher.
Be smart, Sandy, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
Here, i had previously posted the link, go here:
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/58372/sandy-alderson-address-offseason-challenges?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
you’re welcome Joe … SMH
This site is the antithesis to Metsblog. That’s a compliment by the way.
It should be, although there are certain situations that occur here that make you wonder if this site will become just as MB was.. We got guys telling the owner of the site how to run a blog while is perfectly fine and him actually believing in those person/s.. thing is, as my mom always said: If you got problems with 10 people, the problem doesn’t lie with those 10 people, it lies with you”… Yet the owner doesn’t seem to accept that because that person writes some articles (garbage by the way) in here…
Since we know who you are talking about Alex, my best advice is to heed your mother’s advice
“If you got problems with 10 people, the problem doesn’t lie with those 10 people, it lies with you”
PS – What are you blaming me for now, I wasn’t aware I did anything to you recently that would cause such a response?
Why dont you just get rid of them for good? Why do you let them ruin it for everybody? I dont get why you allow these two pariahs to exist here.
are you responding to me? hah… i have no say in the matter. I didn’t even do anything to Alex recently so I’m not sure why the comments toward me.
If Alex is trying to blame me for his hand getting slapped in the chatbox the other day – he needs to move along because I had 0 to do with it.
If Alex is trying to blame me for his hand getting slapped in the chatbox the other day – he needs to move along because I had 0 to do with it”
THIS^^^^
Somehow you’re aware of everything that happens in the shoutbox in terms of what’s going on there no?? You keep emailing joe when people attack you or insult you.. we all know what you are, today MITCH who’s also a writer couldn’t even keep up a civil conversation with you because it’s your way or the highway… Little by little people are noticing who you are…
First and foremost, I went to the site and SAW the messages that Joe D had written you in the shoutbox when you were suspended. That’s how I know about it. Just like anybody else who was in the room or on the site at the time.
Secondly, “You keep emailing joe when people attack you or insult you” If I did that – which I don’t… why would you think it’s okay to insult me?
Thirdly, I was discussing baseball with Mitch. Go back and read the conversation and show me where we name called or took personal shots. Fun fact, Mitch and I know some of the same people outside of MMO. Its because of those people that I know Mitch is a big boy and can handle baseball conversation. Frankly I hope to meet up with him someday and tell him to his face why Miggy is the MVP.
Lastly, I had absolutely nothing to do with Joe D coming to the chat and suspending you yesterday.
If you’d like we can wager an off-season ban on the situation? If I messaged Joe asking him to come into the shout to reprimand you yesterday then I’ll leave until Opening Day 2013. If not, you leave til Opening Day 2013.
And if you choose not to take the bet – than think twice before you accuse me of things.
The choice is yours. Something tells me you don’t have it in you to take the bet though.
YOU INSULTED mitch and his inteligence in terms of baseball just because he was trying to make a point.. You read it again and see where you took a shot at him for making at point about WAR. i disagree with him wholeheartedly on it, of course i didn’t comment because it was your article, but you insulted him and his opinion.. what? he’s not allowed to have one? jsut because you didn’t use no curse doesn’t mean you don’t insult people which you do all the time, that is why we lose our temper and insult you, u think you know more than the next person but you know exactly nothing.. be more humble when directing people and stop being an Ahole.. but hey, maybe you get away with it because you’re a “writer” for the site… yeah, writing will take you really far when all your articles are now disapperaing in the shadows, look at the comments lately and see what i am talking about…
Waiting to hear about the bet. If not, keep moving please.
and stop worrying about everybody else. Mitch doesn’t need you to defend him when talking to me.
Worry about you and your actions. Not other people.
You accuse me of controlling the site and having something to do with you getting banned yesterday. If you want to put your $ where your mouth is then lets bet and see the truth. If you think I’m bluffing, call me on it. Opening Day 2013… your call.
If you’re gonna just write back with more bogus accusations or flame then don’t bother. Either take the bet or just don’t respond.
I actually don’t like WAR I just was listing a stat that will probably sway a lot of voters when the MVP award is handed out
Yes Jessep and I have mutual acquaintances outside of MMO…I even went to HS with some of his family members :-0
i feel bad for you!
What a paranoid nut job!
Yes because writing the site owner whenever you and Bayonne curse so he can delete your garbage is a bad thing right?
Having someone who reacts to his concerned readers is a bad thing right?
That’s what Cerrone’s problem was, he couldn’t care less and only banned people who disagreed with him and leaves up some of the most awful comments despite complaining to him about it.
You and Bayonne are cancers on this site.
Cancer is a little rough. Maybe Herpes. You can’t shake herpes.
Kramer67 — I saw some of the stuff written the other day and I was wondering when Joe would stop it. Joe tries to run a good site with tolerance to disparate views but it gets to the point where reading the utterings of cretins is just vile. It’s wasted time.
Cretin is sometimes defined as:
A Person that is: brainless, stupid, child-like, and full of pointless information that makes no sense and appeals only to other cretins.
Gee, Did the Urban Dictionary have an object example in mind?
Alderson should have just got up in front of everyone and sang “MEET THE METS, MEET THE METS, STEP RIGHT UP AND BEAT THE METS”
Can I borrow your crystal ball? I just want to see who wins the ninth race at Saratoga and then I’ll give it right back. We are only at the beginning of the dark ages. We dont have a GM we have a grim reaper.
SRT is not gonna like that comment jetsmets… Watch out!
Bah…I don’t expect every Met fan out there to agree with my opinions – unlike some of you all….
I think Alex has a crush on you SRT. Remember the boys on the playground that used to push girls for no reason.
Yeah… no…
and SRT they would never admit to such a thing…
Salty, Even if i had a crush on her, i know i stand no chance.. i am going against the almighty one SA…
ROFL!
He should’ve peter griffing the media: “COME ON… COME ON… COME ON!!!” …
Sandy is artificially inflating the 2013 payroll to justify NOT SPENDING…
Johan Santana’s contract =
6 years/$137.5M (2008-13), plus 2014 club option
08:$19M, 09:$20M, 10:$21M, 11:$22.5M, 12:$24M, 13:$25.5M, 14:$25M club option ($5.5M
$5M deferred annually at 1.25% compound interest (payable June 30 seven years after season in which salary was earned), reducing present-day value of package to $123.1M
——————————————————————————————————————————–
Jason Bay
4 years/$66M (2010-13), plus 2014 option
10:$6.5M, 11:$16M, 12:$16M, 13:$16M, 14:$17M club option ($3M buyout)
——————————————————————————————————————————
This means in 2013, the mets will be paying Johan Santana 20 million dollars…and Jason Bay 16 million dollars…
20 + 16 = 36 mil
in 2014, Johan Santana will receive 5.5 mil on the buyout…and Jason Bay will receive 3 mil on his buyout….this = 8 million dollars…
Now take a look at the mets payroll obligations from 2014 – 2018…
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0Ah4PW47PiAi-dGwxeHRJTGxhMG1ZNTRXUkdzUlpoY1E&output=html
Sandy Alderson has officially entered Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan territory…
he has completely fudged these numbers to deceive the fans
Have a good day yall…
How is he fudging the numbers when he is coming right out and directly telling us about the buy outs?
b/c the buyouts are for 2014…NOT 2013….
if u have a 30 year loan and ur doing ur budget for next year…its like saying ur gonna count the rest of your mortgage payments from years 2-30 against next years budget….
when in reality, u just dont want to spend any money next year….
not really. the buyouts have to be paid this year. unlike your mortgage which does not.
well…according to jessep’s research….they have the “option” of paying in 2014….
they accounted for k-rod’s 2011 buyout for 2012….even though the brewers paid it….
but somehow they dont do the same for Bay/Santana….
even though we dont even know if they are going to get traded or not…
hell if Bay has a Gil Menche moment and retires….the buyout is null and void…
point is…why on earth would u “handicap” yourself when u dont have to…
what is the excuse for 2014 going to be when our payroll is under 50 mil ?
no, they have to actually pay it in 2013 no matter what. the option they have is to count it on the books for 2013 or 2014.
Uh, no, you had to go and find something so out of scope to prove your point, you just proved yourself wrong. Your analogy is terrible.
They are accounting for 1 year of payments they know they will have to make. Not 30 years of payments that can be adjusted and such.
You are the one fudging the numbers, NOT Alderson.
Santana $25.5M and Bay $16M in 2013 equals $41.5M add in the buyouts and you have $50.5 million. You can thank Minaya for that.
At least double check your math before you accuse the guy for telling the truth!
Two players $50.5 million….wow.
5 mill of that 25.5 mil is deferred until 7 years AFTER the season has finished…
the buyout technically takes effect in 2014…( thats 8 mil )
how are u counting 50 mil when in 2013, u are only paying 36.5?
Because Alderson said the buyouts of those players will be on their 2013 payroll? His words?
Basically “we’re buying out Bay and Johan after this year and planning to pay for it now so we are not 9m in the hole in 2014″
But those contracts were signed years ago….the execution dates on those buyouts are set in stone already…
and to FURTHER complicate matters…if Johan pitches x amount of innings, i believe the option turns from club to PLAYER..meaning Johan can if he wishes, come back in 2014 for 25 mil…
depending if it is a player option or club option, they have until mid November to execute the option, at that point, if the player declines, there is no buyout, if the club declines, there is a buyout…that is executed in 2014…
this stuff is all in black and white…there is 5 mil DEFERRED…so even then…50 mil is STILL PURPOSELY misstated.
sorry, but these folks act as if the internet doesnt exist and we cant look up contract details…
Here is the response I got a few weeks back about Bay’s option from the owner of Baseball Cot’s Contracts when I asked him when the Mets would have to pay the buyout should they release Bay.
“Practices in a case like Bay’s vary by club. Typically, a club would continue paying the player through 2013 as if he were still on the roster, then pay the buyout after the 2013 World Series. Most options require the player or club to exercise or decline the option within five days of the end of the World Series. So Bay would have the $3 million buyout in November of 2013, at the latest. But I’ve had a couple of front-office types tell me that, at least for purposes of annual payroll or accounting, clubs may choose to carry a buyout on their books either the year it is paid out or in the option year of the contract. That would mean the Mets could put the $3 million on their books in either 2013 or 2014, depending on their internal accounting policies or what works best for them.”
It’s all based on how they handle their accounting. Yes at the end of the day they are paying the buyout regardless – but if they put it toward 2013 it impacts this season rather than being $9m in the hole in 2014. Basically they are limiting what they do today to ensure they can do more tomorrow
I learn something new every day. Thanks for this info, Jessup.
accounting tricks are for tax purposes.
reality is though that they need to cut the check this year, no matter when they decide to recognize it on the books, so that has to be factored in to having enough money in the bank account to actually cover it!
right…totally understood….
the caveat is that in October of 2012, they will count a buyout paid in November/December of 2013, against the payroll of the team contending DURING the season.
and in the same breath count money paid out in 2011 ( k-rod ) against the 2012 salary…
Sandy should run for President
LMAO, i just noticed u totally ignored the fact that 5 mil of Santana’s salary is deferred…but since Sandy said its 50 mil…it must be so…
go back to sleep
With all do respect to Mr. Alderson, this is not a plan. He spoke like a politician. When you get all done you say to yourself “what did he just say?” If I was a reporter I would ask the following:
1.. Who are the core players or the untouchables?
2. If you can’t resign Dickey or Wright to a long term contract, what is the drop dead date for trade consideration?
3. What in your opinion is the priority needs of the team.
4. You dance around the issue of free agents. Will you be in the free agent market. Yes or No?.
5. And finally and the most important question: Can you improve the team enough to keep attendance from falling even more and how are you going to maintain and grow the fan base.?
I have more questions but when you have zero money to play with I already know the answers.
PS: Out of spring training I said we would win 75 games. Close but no cigar!
Yes, Lou, I remember that day, and thinking you are a jerk, but you’re not, just a realist with a sense of what the odds told us.
Well thank you sir. Even jerks have thier moment in the sun! Can’t wait to see what happens in the off season and to read your most insighful and analytical comments. My off season prediction for the Mets based on a hunch only with absolutely no scientific facts whatsover.
Off season prediction: The Mets will pull off a deal that will stun the fan base and one in which no one could predict. A total and Amazin’ player deal(s). Take it to the bank
From your fingertips to God’s eyes!!!
Joe D. in the end everything you said may be right, but lets wait and see. We can all agree that this current situation sucks and something must be done. I have always said it would take three seasons for Alderson to make his mark because there were too many bad contracts still on the books. Next year does not have to be a throwaway.
So, anybody gonna watch the game later?
I’m still not sure why the buy outs are part of the 2013 payroll…does that mean that Wright and RADs buy outs are part of the 2012 payroll? I’ve never heard of that before.
Another scary thought, Francisco makes more than RAD.
The buyouts happen when the contract says. I believe it is November? basically tied into when options are exercised, arb offered, all that stuff.
probably technically it counts (if you look at a place like Cot’s) as 2014 $, but for practical purposes (as in actually needing to have the money to cut the check!) it has to be paid out in 2013. so basically all Sandy is saying is that he is budgeting that hit along with the rest of 2013 payroll obligations.
Now, flip side, they should not be counting deferreed money from a future year (they do of course have to count Bonilla, and any current deferrals being paid).
the good news is, by allocating the funds in 2013, it means there is more actual cash to spend in 2014, since the total payroll amount does not have to be reduced by the buyouts.
remember you’re talking about 2 different things. when a buyout happens is not what fiscal year the $ is on the books.
The Mets internal accounting could be different than another MLB team.
The buyout technically has to happen after the World Series but before arbitration etc. So technically the buyout occurs in the 2013 calendar year. If the Mets account for that $ in 2013 then it comes off their 2013 payroll just as Alderson states.
To give you an example my job’s fiscal year ends Sept 30th. So anything I pay for today actually is on 2013′s budget line.
that’s what I said. You can do whatever you want with accounting, but there is a reality of what you have to actually pay each year. And Payroll is really meaningless (when you start worrying about when to recognize things (well, other than for taxes and the luxury tax!). Bottom line is when you have to pay the money out.
and all I hear Sandy saying is that they have X in the checking account for 2013, and they have to hold back some of it to pay the buyouts.
yes, but if said player is traded ( ala K-Rod ) before the year ends, the team that owns the contract is responsible for the buyout…
so how is Sandy counting that money against 2013 already…
hell that buyout can technically turn into a player option if said player reaches those goals in 2013 ( whether for the mets or another team )
if K-Rod reached 55 GF in 2011, that 3.5 mil buyout that the BREWERS paid in 2012, turns into a 17.5 player option…
it is misleading
…and now to make his statement even more contradicting and worse than it already was…
“Alderson said the payroll for 2012 ended up being about $100 million, but that includes even long-departed closer Francisco Rodriguez’s buyout and all 40-man roster players. ”
—————————————–
July 2011
That monetary payment will defray at least some (and perhaps all) of the $5 million that Rodriguez will earn through the remainder of this season. But of course there’s more … If Rodriguez finishes at least 55 games this season, a $17.5-million option for next season will vest. The Mets didn’t want that happen, and you can be sure the Brewers don’t, either (though the Brewers are on the hook for a $3.5-million buyout).
===================================================
The mets paid the brewers 5 million dollars in 2011 which covered K-Rod’s remaining 2011 salary…but the brew crew was responsible for K-Rod going fwd…
So how on earth can Sandy count the money they gave the brewers in July 2011 as money counted against in 2012….
but then do the complete opposite with Bay and Santana…moving their salaries into 2013…
what happens if Jason Bay turns into an All-Star again and is traded in July…
guess who is on the hook for that buyout….
the team that OWNS the contract when the time comes to execute…
so it is extremely misleading to count that money against the 2013 payroll…
Sandy Alderson is not a GM folks…he is a walking talking puppet paid to convince fans that its ok to invest some money into the product his bosses own…
thats it…
thats all….
the only people who REALLY care about this product the most are me and you.
( you = anyone who is reading this…b/c at this point, if u are…it means u still care..)
“I’m not prepared to blow up the team and start over again,” Alderson said. “I don’t think we need to do that.”
Of course not Sandy, you already did!
Do not forget the Picard clawback lawsuit was still in process at the start of the season. However not adding relief pitching depth with FFF down ( not that he was any good) and about 3 games back of the Nats and about 2 games ahead of the Braves and having to face both on the road was the defining moment of the Mets season. Also Gee went down and relying on Batista. SA threw away an opportunity to still be in the w/c race as a minimum. What I am trying to say is the off season non-moves is almost undersatandable. However the non-moves which disappointed the players even more than us fans is where you have a valid point. in being critical of SA. SA did not blow up the team but he let it fall apart instead of selective disctrete moves which a good GM actively (not passively) does.
It’s like the Hatfields and the McCoys here. I enjoy the articles, and after that, let the hilarity commense.
The history channel had a great mini-series about that feud.
I wanted to see it. How was it?
Ike Davis homers and then a graphic comes up that explains why I believe Sandy Alderson will trade him. Ike leads the Majors with 12 first pitch home runs. You know how they hate that. Remember one of them said he was uncoachable, I bet that’s exactly what they were referring to his continued aggressive approach at the plate and first pitch swinging. It was nice knowing you Ike. And as Ronny Darling said, there’s a reason why Duda is getting reps at first base. Kieth than said he’s the only guy they could get a good haul for if they were telling the truth about signing Wright.
I must say, for an Ivy League man, Mr. Alderson did not present well today. He is coming off a simply a $3 million mouthpiece for the Wilpons. It may seem like a minor point, but to present the 2012 payroll as “about $100 million” and at the same time say the Santana/Bay buyouts will count towards the 2013 payroll allocation is being extremely misleading. I am not sure which reporter questioned those numbers, but Alderson admitted the 2012 $100 million included KRod’s buyout from 2012 as well as all of the 40 man roster. So, he essentially inflated the spend in 2012 while at the same time inflating the 2013 “allocation”. Bottom line is, they are just spinning numbers for sucker Met fans to continue to support this ownership. How about Freddie and Jeffy take the payroll to $115 million in 2013 WITH THE EXTRA FOX AND ESPN TV MONEY so the paying fans can at least have the possibility to see at team without 5 major holes with a chance to finish over .500? How about that Jeffy, Freddy, and Saul? Or, they can pay me $2.9 million less than Aldrson to do what he has done (nothing), put another $2 mil toward the 2013 payroll, and keep $900K.
Know I’m not the only one who has said this but hope everyone calms down and stops with the name calling. Joe D. has put a great site together and as he said, sometimes we all are guilty of getting carried away with ourselves. Besides it being unnecessary, a lot of us then lose site of the points being made both pro and con.
This is mostly a great bunch of ladies and gentlemen but I’m not the only one upset by the personal attacks and from first hand experience I can tell you it does hurt.
Just happy this agony is over. See you next year.
Basically he will do just what he did at the All-Star break ……. nothing to help improve the club. I know there are limited resources but this team has too many issues. 2013 may be another long season.
Enough already with concern to the Jose Reyes crap. Most fans would have preferred that Jose stayed in New York but at what cost? The brass made a decision that they were not going to get involved in a bidding war and that the money and the length of contract it would take to resign Jose was not worth the risk because of his injury history. Yes, we would all have been happier to get something in return by trading Jose instead of just losing him but it is obvious that the Reyes camp let it be known that they were going to test the waters anyway so why offer the Mets anywhere near equal value for him in a trade. Finally…..Tejada was waiting in the wings!
So, the point now is that the brass can’t possibly wait too long to make some serious offers to David Wright and R.A.Dickey. They can’t under estimate the fallout should they lose Wright and or Dickey in the same manner. If they make really good offers to both players and nothing happens then trading them will become a necessity. Who knows what they could get but three of their biggest rivals would be drooling to have Wright at third base. Chipper is gone in Atlanta, A-Rod could instead be the DH for the Yankees or he could be attractive to the Marlins to rejoin Jose as the Hanley Ramirez era has ended because of his trade to the Dodgers.
I guess we will have to wait a bit longer to find out if the “Moneyball’ factor is going to be the permanent plan here…..
Hi Alan,
But if it was a case of the front office not wanting to get into a bidding war, then what about the follow-up to that, i.e., the brass not using what it was willing to spend on Jose on others instead?
That I think is the point of the argument. If Sandy didn’t want to commit to Reyes because he had Tejada then why wasn’t the money saved by not re-signing Jose used for anything other than reducing the payroll?
The money ‘saved’ just went to lowering the debt total. Wasn’t even enough to wipe it out.
They’re still operating in the red.
As long as the Wilpons are unable or unwilling to invest in the team, then I don’t expect any extra money/higher payroll until they at least break even. Seems to be a change in mindset from the days where the Wilpons were willing to increase payroll if necessary believing the investment would foster additional revenue.