17
2012
Recap Of Mets Conference Call
An article by 
Here’s a recap of tonight’s conference call with Sandy Alderson who fielded questions from beat writers and reporters.
6:40 PM – Alderson begins apologizing to writers, thanking Dickey. “The final chapter has not been written, but it has been an extraordinary career.” (Rubin)
6:41 PM - Alderson says it was an “extraordinary privilege” to have Dickey in the Mets organization. (Carig)
6:42 PM – Terry Collins says it’s up in the air if d’Arnaud will start year in majors because he missed so much time last year in Triple-A. (Puma)
6: 43 PM - Alderson said difficult call if presented with R.A. at Mets’ number or this package. But said genuine interest to retain Dickey. (Rubin)
6:45 PM - Sandy Alderson: “We feel that players acquired in this deal, Buck and d’Arnaud in particular will made contributions in 2013.”
6:46 PM - Alderson: “We do expect to do some other things. We do expect to acquire some other players. We’re certainly not punting on 2013.” (Sounds vaguely familiar. <scratches head>)
6:47 PM - Alderson said by Tuesday or Wednesday of last week, final structure of players in deal was put in place.
6:48 PM – Alderson: ”The decision to trade R.A. was not made until we understood what the final deal would be with Toronto.”
6:49 PM - Alderson: “Travis (d’Arnaud) and John (Buck) know each other from Travis’ first major league camp. Travis is close to the major leagues.”
6:51 PM - D’Arnaud did not have surgery for ligament tear in knee. Not standard protocol. Wasn’t complete tear. Was examined by Mets doctors. (Mets doctors? Whew, that’s a relief.)
6:52 PM – Alderson: ”We feel d’Arnaud can be a difference maker.” (Does he feel with his right or left hand?)
6:53 PM – Alderson: ”Noah is a very high ceiling power pitcher. He’s further away, obviously, having just pitched in low-A last year.” ETA not soon.
6:54 PM – Alderson: ”This move has nothing to do with the team’s finances. This was a baseball decision.”
6:56 PM - Alderson: “It also became clear in a hot market for pitching, that Dickey’s value in a trade was also skyrocketing.”
6:58 PM – Alderson: ”Were we not able to get the quality in return, I expected that R.A. would have remained a Met.”
(What happened to Terry Collins?)
6:59 PM – Alderson: ”We’re not going to replace him with a No. 1 starter in return, but we’re going to have to find someone to give us some of those wins.” (No kidding, Sandman)
7:00 PM – Alderson: ”I recognize this is an entertainment business and it was great to have R.A. here. But longterm this was right thing to do.” (Canadians will be entertained, that’s for sure.)
7:01 PM – Alderson: ”I’m hoping in coming years our overall popularity will be a function of success rather than individuals.”
7:03 PM - On catching, Alderson said he would find additional catching, for depth if nothing else. (Rubin)
7:05 PM – Alderson: “I have been talking with free-agent outfielders and with teams about trades. There’s a long time between now and the beginning of February.” (Yes, 44 days)
7:05 PM - Alderson: “We will acquire a starting pitcher and we can offer a spot in the rotation.” (Plenty of fish in the sea. I think.)
(My fingers are getting tired)
7:06 PM – Mets have lots of work to do. Shopping list includes: outfielders, starting pitcher, catcher, relievers.
Mass has ended, go in peace…
Nothing earth shattering here…
1. They sold high on Dickey.
2. They got prospects and believe someday one will be a difference maker.
3. Only Buck will likely be on opening day roster, leaving more holes now than before.
4. Team is now going after a starting pitcher, backup catcher for Buck, two outfielders, a long reliever.
5. They feel there’s plenty of quality players still available and they will sign those players.
6. Again and again, they will not punt in 2013.
Ummm…. Okay….
Hope you enjoyed this. I don’t usually do live blogs….
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 | 27 | 18 | .600 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 23 | .500 | 4.5 |
| Phillies | 22 | 24 | .478 | 5.5 |
| Mets | 17 | 26 | .395 | 9.0 |
| Marlins | 13 | 33 | .283 | 14.5 |
Last updated: 05/22/2013
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The Mets will sign Michael Bourn. Ok maybe not, but they arguably have at least $20MM and as much as $30MM to spend. They have been real quirt, almost two quiet. Also, they netted no OFers who are not at least four years away in the Dickey deal. Moves will come, I’m just calling Bourn especially as his price continues to drop.
P.S. Yes he’s lefty, but apparently that’s all we like these days. Seriously, you can sign Bourn and Hairston if you spend $20MM in annual salary. And he’s actually a good MLB player now, so I think we can be ok with his leftiness.
>>7:05 PM – Alderson: “I have been talking with free-agent outfielders and with teams about trades. There’s a long time between now and the beginning of February.”
Wow. It’s almost like Alderson realizes that we have other holes to fill, particularly in the outfield. I guess he’s been reading blogs.
Lol he’s finally looking at free agents!
He’s been looking at FAs all along just like the rest of us. What, you thought the Mets were going to go after Hamilton? Please.
Nope, the godfather of moneyball is going after a different typd of FA.
They’re not going to punt! They’re not going to punt!
Okay, that’s a good first step. At least they realize it’s not football.
Just because they won’t punt it doesn’t mean they won’t get sacked.
Especially with the Nats pitching staff loaded and the Phillies trying to tool up for one more run.
2013 might not be a punt but the likelihood of success with those teams and the talent level of the Mets isnt great. Anything can happen but the Mets, at best, even with some moves, are a 3rd place team in that division.
It’s a punt but strategically executed will create a foundation of talent in the everyday lineup that can last a few consecutive strong years. (before they do something unfan friendly again)
How about Liriano, J.p Howell, Hairston, juan rivera, matt capps, matt lindstrom, trade for Michael Taylor.
Of course one to two year deals aside from Howell who should get 3.
I could sign up for most of that.
Thanks for the great effort Joe. Enjoyed your sidebars.
When somebody says its not about money – it’s always about money.
This reminds me of the Mets infamous ‘Dark Ages’ 74 – 79. Joan Payson died leaving the team to her husband Charles who didn’t care for baseball. He, in turn, put his youngest daughter on the board of directors Lorinda de Roulet (kind of like Jeff). Lorinda (liked to be called Linda) once asked if foul balls could be returned to save the team money. Getting rid of Seaver and Kingman in the midnight massacre was done because of money. And boy, did the press talk up who we got for Seaver and Kingman at the time!
An absurd comparison…not even close.
A. Dickey, as good as he was for the Mets, was not close to Seaver in terms of what he meant to the organization nor performance.
B. Seaver was still in his prime while Dickey is questionable.
C. Grant wasnt going to give Seaver the money no matter what; everyone knew that Dickey eventually would get an extension from the Mets.
Task – how are you?
This from a Toronto newspaper:
“Over the last three years. Dickey has compiled a 2.95 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning), a league-leading 230 strikeouts in 2012 (when he started to throw his hard knuckler more, which tops out in the low 80s), and a Cy Young award. He’s an ace. If he had won a Cy Young for the Jays last year…would fans want Dickey to be shipped to the Mets for d’Arnaud (who has had injury problems in his minor-league career) and Syndergaard, who isn’t a sure thing?
No, they wouldn’t.”
You’re right Dickey is no Seaver but that wan’t my point. Sandy’s job first and foremost is to save the Wilpon’s money – make no mistake about that.
Well, I think we’re on solid ground by agreeing that the best part of this deal was…
…getting rid of MIKE NICKEAS!!!
I heard Alderson held out until Toronto acquiesced and agreed to take him off our hands.
Thole, Nickeas, and Bay all gone.
Met fans are going to have to find someone else to boo next year. (oh wait, Francisco is still around).
Are we not elevated as an organization by the absence of lousy ballplayers. I laughed when I heard Nickeas was part of the deal. I mean…
We got d’Arnaud. Great
We got Syndergaard. A stocking stuffer if there ever was one…
We got John Buck. Who hits homeruns & looks like he wants to fight when he K’s. Like it.
We get whathisface – the son of a Venezuelan superstar. ooohhhkeeeee…..
Dickey & Thole as a package – makes sense.
But getting rid of Nickeas, who basks in the glow of losing, who smiles a mile wide when down by 10 runs, a passed ball machine who hit the most unnecessary grandslam ever…and then goes oh-for-one thousand…
Yesssss. Are we not elevated to heights greater than Kilimanjaro?
Hey bro -
“But getting rid of Nickeas…”
Now that is something we can agree on. Very funny.
Too bad we couldn’t throw Jeff Wilpon in the deal. No takers on that one!
Another absurd claim. Why does everything think that the Wilpons want to save money? Show me one time in Fred Wilpons tenure as owner that he showed financial constraint. I am sure you are aware that the Mets spent over $850M in salaries since 2006 (third most in the Majors) and over $2B since 1990. Sure the Madoff situation plus the terrible cash flow necessitated the cost cutting moves.
This deal wasnt about money…$12M or $13M in 2014 is no big deal considering that is only half of Johan’s money. This was about improving the organization. The Mets have no catcher for the next 3 or 4 years minimum. They faced life with Josh Thole as catcher for that term since the catchers around baseball are weak overall. Does anyone believe that Oliva or Shoppach are actually a solution.
The truth is the Mets are at the stage of establishing a foundation. Ike, Niese, Harvey, Wheeler, and now D’Arnaud are those building blocks. Dickey, for all he did for the Mets, wasnt the solution down the road. He might be a star for the Jays and that is a risk that is always taken. And sure, the Mets prospects might bomb. But there is a risk in everything.
You can believe this was about money but the reality is that it is more of a baseball move.
I guess if you look at the Dickey trade as being a one off then I see your point.
Everything Sandy has done since he’s been with the Mets is about lowering the payroll and its absurd to think otherwise.
Ever since Freddie got his hand caught in the Madoff cookie jar (a situation brought on because of greed or stupidity or both) the team has been in a tailspin.
Listen, these trades might turn out great but only time will tell. I look at the success of these trades more as a by-product of attempting to get a cheaper team on the field.
Dickey was available to trade because his value became irrelevant – the team will suck with him or without him because of all the other holes created by Sandy’s penchant for saving the Wilpon’s money.
We are entering next season without an established outfielder (we had Beltran and Pagan). We have a punch and Judy hitter at Shortstop (we had Reyes) we have a good hitting first baseman playing second and a first baseman who hit .226 (.228 in September for those of you who think that Ike improved in the second half). We have a backup catcher in Buck and a potentially good but often injured minor leaguer in the wings. We just traded our Cy Young Ace. We have no bullpen to speak of.
All these problems are a direct result of Sandy saving money for the Wilpons.
Now you can argue that come 2015 or 2016 we will be competitive because of all the minor leaguers we are grabbing. But the reason we are getting the minor leaguers is because we are giving up established player who cost money.
It’s all about money. And I’m getting sick of Sandy’s disingenuous comments that he is attempting to build a competitive team now.
This rebuilding process is fine if you are in Kansas City or even Oakland but not acceptable in the number one baseball market in the world.
New York City and Mets fans deserve better than this.
Now just wait a minute, there. In case you missed it….
Are we not elevated as an organization by the absence of lousy ballplayers. I laughed when I heard Nickeas was part of the deal. I mean…
We got d’Arnaud. Great
We got Syndergaard. A stocking stuffer if there ever was one…
We got John Buck. Who hits homeruns & looks like he wants to fight when he K’s. Like it.
We get whathisface – the son of a Venezuelan superstar. ooohhhkeeeee…..
Dickey & Thole as a package – makes sense.
But getting rid of Nickeas, who basks in the glow of losing, who smiles a mile wide when down by 10 runs, a passed ball machine who hit the most unnecessary grandslam ever…and then goes oh-for-one thousand…
Yesssss. Are we not elevated to heights greater than Kilimanjaro?
And another thing…
In a different world, we should’ve added Greinke to a rotation of Dickey, Harvey, Niese & (eventually) Wheeler. That would’ve been on of MLB’s best. But it was never going to happen.
So, Sandy punted. Makes perfect sense. Without 1983, there’s no 1984. And, hey, without 1984 there’s really no 1986 (we won’t talk about ’85 and ’87).
The outfield IS A WORRY. Yes, I will grant you that. Sandy’s most grievous error to date is in not trading Reyes for a blue-chip outfield prospect (Gary Brown, Jake Marisnick, to mention a couple). But, clearly, his hands were tied.
Notwithstanding, we have quite a stable of young pitchers… Mateo, Fulmer, Mazzone, Familia, Mejia, Carson, Edgin, Wheeler, Syndergaard & Harvey. Gee & Niese are still quite young, as well.
We have one of the games best 3rd baseman. Murphy is improving at 2nd base – I think he’s set to have an excellent year. Tejada is more than adequate and is still quite young. And Ike gets a pass, but we still don’t know what we have.
Kirk could survive in a platoon situation and improve from the left side over time, but Duda took a major step backward, which I attribute in part to Dave Hudgens edict to take a first pitch fastball for a strike. The outfield is messy, indeed.
But we finally have a catcher. As for d’Arnaud’s health, I’ll take my chances. We have the best catching prospect in all of baseball.
So I don’t care that the Giants got blown out or that the Knicks got pasted by the Rockets for a second straight time.
All I know is that we got d’Arnaud and that Mike Nickeas is gone.
Bro – coulda, woulda, shoulda
It’s all about money.
And here’s more bad news from your favorite newspaper Newsday:
“Ballpark-related revenue for the New York Mets dropped $8.3 million to $118.6 million this past season — the third straight year of declines since Citi Field opened, records show.”
Full article: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/mets-citi-field-revenue-still-falling-records-show-1.4345857
Now I remember Sandy saying he couldn’t spend more money unless more fans came to the stadium. Now in the words of Joe Biden – that’s a bunch of malarky!
It takes money to make money. If the Wilpons and Sandy want to go down the “rebuilding” path than fans are going to be reluctant to spend $300 for a family of four to go to a game of AAAA players. That includes tickets parking gas food and other things for the kids.
It ain’t cheap and today’s announcement that the Mets are raising the individual game ticket prices ain’t going to help.
Most fans will wait for the team to falter and buy cheap seats from StubHub.
Either way, if Freddie and Sandy keep going down this money saving road they will bankrupt the team.
More young kids are becoming Yankee fans because that team wins year in and year out.
And guess what – when you’re young and begin to follow a team – you don’t change later in life.
The Wilpons have created a mess. Sandy is an enabler.
Dickey put heinies in seats and helped with attendence. Think people are going to flock to the stadium to see Buck play?
Hard to believe:
More Newsday: “The records show that ballpark-related revenue such as premium ticket sales, concessions and parking has declined 43 percent since 2009, the stadium’s opening year. This year’s reported revenue of $118.6 million as of the end of September was down from $180.4 million in 2009 and $126.9 million in 2011.”
That is a ton of lost revenue. And it is directly connected to the Wilpons and Sandy’s desire to save money by cutting payroll.
I guess the Mets’ business manager missed the class on how it takes money to make money.
I’m actually happy about these numbers because this is the only way fans can fight ownership.
”We do expect to do some other things. We do expect to acquire some other players. … We’re certainly not punting on 2013.”
“I have been talking with free-agent outfielders and with teams about trades. There’s a long time between now and the beginning of February.”
With the good pool of talent still left in FA, it’s imperative to keep your word. Please bring back Carlos Gomez to bat leadoff and Morales for a power bat after Davis.
I’d luv to have both, but both would involve trades. What are we giving up and can we spare the parts? Murphy…Mejia…Familia…Flores?
Of the guys you mentioned, I’d keep only Familia because I think he’ll grow into a key setup guy with Parnell (if Parnell can really get it together).
I was thinking that if you get rid of Murph, Flores would slide right in as the next 2nd baseman so I wouldn’t be too sure if I wanna give up Flores unless something really tempting comes along.
Why would Alderson apologize to the writers? Was that a joke? Was it along the lines of “Sorry you guys actually had to work this week?”
What do you think of the idea of Carlos Zambrano? I know he didnt have a great year in Miami but in that circus, it might be excusable. He did pitch both as a starter and fared well in the BP. Plus he has been through the battles and able to throw a lot of innings.
zambrano hasnt had a great year in a long time. He is old and fat… A perfect match for the skanks
We all know by now that Sandy Alderson is a lawyer and an expert in double-talk. He lost all credibility when he didn’t leave that manipulative behavior behind in the courtroom and continued it with us fans.
He implied that he wanted to re-sign R.A. but that they could not reach an agreement. Did he mention that R.A. signed with Toronto at $12.5 million a year and thus what he was asking from the Mets was less than that?
I also noted that in the SNY opening, I think it was Gary Apple, who alluded to R.A. asking for money in terms of $13, $14 and $15 million. Wonder where he got that information from?
Some snarky remarks by Joe D. a couple were funny. So tell us did you like the deal or not Joe?
RA was an awesome Met and i literally would be pumped if he won another cy young for the jays and i cant say that about many players that the mets trade..that aside, im pretty fired up about the trade, i feel like it’s the last ‘sale’ move we make, we have sound young core to build around and i have a gut feeling Sandy can ‘think’ better now that this deal is done and will make more positive acquisitions hopefully starting this winter. I think Sandy can feel good about Wheeler and d’Arnaud coming up in June and can start to bring in some parts for 2013. I really hope he finds a couple of bullpen arms and OF(s)–it’s hard to comment on our team next year this early but i see IDavis Murphy and Duda having better more consistent seasons and anything over Thole is a plus..and im higher on a rested JSantana then most so i hope Sandy can make some acquistions so 2013 isnt a ‘punt’
If the Mets sign Bourn, after letting Reyes walk, you can officially call them the most inept organization in baseball.
Bourn is not happening.
However great trade by the FO. Too bad that Sandy wasn’t allowed to shop DW. Could have sped up the rebuilding process a year or 2 depending on what return he could bring in.
Kieth Law, for what it’s worth, says that the deal was a no brainer for the Mets if it was just D’Arnaud. But the 18 year old kid really makes this a steal. He wasn’t crazy about the pitcher but had high hopes for the teenager.
BA on the other hand loves the Pitcher and has nothing available on the 18 year old. Other than that he was one of those million dollar plus bonus kids when he was 16. So someone saw some talent their. But he’s probably not around until 2016.
…on 32 AB’s in the Gulf Coast League, a future or non-future is not made.
getting guys that will be ready (if they make it) at different times is what needs to happen to keep the pipeline pumping out talent every year. It just takes a while to prime the pump.
Also came across this Toronto perspective:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1448193-ra-dickey-trade-was-costly-for-toronto-blue-jays-but-worth-it
Note in it that the author says the Jays have committed themselves to a win it now while at the same time not jeopardizing the future, either.
I thought that wasn’t possible to do. Hence why we had to rid ourselves of Beltran, KRod, Reyes, Pagan and now R.A. Dickey – or over the past two seasons a Cy Young Award winner, a batting champion, two all-stars and a closer. Add those players to the likes of Wright, Murphy, Davis, Hairston, Neise, Gee, Havey and even under the circumstances – Thole, along with a bench of Tejada, Turner, Kirk, with Francisco in middle relief (a position he is more comfortable in) along with Parnell plus one or two well thought out free agent signings and yes – we too would have had a team that could win now without sacrificing the future – except that we would not have Zack Wheeler.
Now, what about the Mets future down on the farm? Granted, the top three we got in trades but look at the write ups for the eight ones that follow – not too bad, right? Enough that we could not work with when making a transition as some key players got older? And who knows how others might progress as well.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/12/16/3775304/new-york-mets-top-20-prospects-for-2013
Final word about the future. First we were told it would be around 2013; now we are told expect it to be no earlier than 2015. Well, with the team that we could have had now (yes, that depended upon being able to re-sign Beltran, Reyes and Pagan – which I think could have been done if desired) is it not reasonable to say that we could have had the best of both worlds like those in Toronto feel they do now?
Now, the issue then comes down to the contention that we were just hanging around both last year and the year before. If one wants to argue that, then it is only fair that one looks at all sides of the coin and not dismiss the fact that a major reason we were no more than just hanging around falls on the responsibility of Sandy Alderson and his baseball people. More than a third of the the team in 2011 consisted of those “inexpensive” players Sandy signed in 2010. They made no contribution other than in the loss column. Imagine if he went after some good free agents that were available at the time instead and KEPT Beltran, Krod and Takahashi as well? We would have been much stronger and 2011 (despite the injuries) a lot more better than it was. And the same in 2012. It’s a testament to the core of good players that we played so well for a bit more than half a year despite Sandy creating a hole in center field and putting together the worst bullpen in baseball.
If one wants to contend that we just could not afford to keep those players and add to them due to the financial mess we are in, then one will have no problem with me. But still, to contend that the moves were in the best interest of the team irrelevant of financial wealth or poverty, I just don’t see how. And future would not have been sacrificed. Wheeler would be a non-issue.
Also note,that for one who said his passion would never be the same again realize that my intensity deals with the past tense and what led up to it -with reference to the future only in how it played out in formulating the past. I can still be angry, can’t I?
LoL……Bleacher Report.
Joey — I’m not going to address your whole post as it’s late. But I just want to point out that the 2015 timeframe is NOT one that Alderson has given. It’s those crazy reporters who are arbitrarily picking dates out of the air and proclaiming that such-and-such a year is the earliest the Mets will contend. Well you know what? I disagree with all those predictions, Because 1) anything can happen as proved by the Oakland A’s and 2) Alderson hasn’t finished shopping yet this winter …
Speaking of which, Puma reported this evening that the Mets are closing in on outfielder and it’s a name that has not been previously associated with the team. Interesting.
BTW, I agree with Xtreemicon about bleacher report. Really? LOL. I stay away from ever using them as a source for anything.
Holes in the outfield.
Holes in the infield.
Holes in the bullpen
Holes in the starting rotation.
And our GM with a hole in his head. Very fitting
LOL….You forgot hole at Catcher….Sandy also mentioned they need to add depth there…lol
I thought the Dickey deal was supposed to FILL HOLES?!!?!?!! o_O
Not create more holes….And we still havent added anyone in the OF we need a minimum of 3 major league caliber Outfielders….They all are question marks
****************If only this front office could MULTI-TASK!!!!**********************
Supposedly this deal was agreed upon last Wednesday so they knew they werent adding OF help so whats the hold up….I think someone said their are only “44 days” left til pitchers and catchers report to camp.
Mets are closing in on an outfielder, according to Puma. And it’s a name that has not been previously associated with the team, he says. Just thought people would like to know. At least one hole will be filled soon. Hopefully by a competent player!
Hi Xtreem and Metro,
If you guys are right about Bleacher Report (and I am not saying that you are not) and that one should stay away from using them as a credible resource, does that then mean we should dismiss what they wrote about our top three prospects that Sandy traded for? Can’t have it both ways.
And Metro, Sandy did speak in terms of that time table with Mike Francesa two months back before the trade was made. He said he felt that 2015 would be about the time the young prospects on the farm combined with those we already have on the roster could hopefully start putting it together in the majors, acknowledging they would need a year or two of major league experience to get their feet wet). Sounds reasonable for let us say that they all came up sometime during 2013. Add those two years to establish themselves and there you go – 2015, as Sandy estimated.
I was actually being lenient with 2015, since Sandy has said some of the key prospects they are hoping for are not yet ready for the majors and if that is true, make it more like 2016.
And you are right – anything can happen. But that anything can go both ways ya know.
Of course you should dismiss whatever they say about Sandy or his prospects. No one uses them as a source. No one wants it “both ways” so I’m not sure what you’re driving at. However, I think these guys can be trusted:
“For me, he’s the best catching prospect in baseball,” a scouting coordinator of a team not involved in the trade said of d’Arnaud. “He’s made lots of strides offensively. He’s one of those guys who a few years ago you would have said that he could be really good if he put it all together. Well, he’s put it all together and is really good. He’s the rare catcher who can hit in the middle of the lineup.”
“I hated to lose him,” said Marti Wolever, Philadelphia’s scouting director. “He can be the centerpiece of an organization for a long time.”
“At the very least, d’Arnaud has the ability to stick at catcher in the majors.”
“One person close to d’Arnaud, who did not want to be identified because the trade was not completed, said d’Arnaud was physically able to play winter ball but chose not to.”
“It is not unusual for top prospects to impress scouts with their physical abilities, but d’Arnaud excited scouts with his demeanor, Wolever said. He was not fazed by the surroundings.”
“This could be Sandy Alderson’s Gary Carter move, writes Bill Madden.”
“It remains to be seen if d’Arnaud will become the All-Star catcher the scouts all seem to think he’s capable of being.”
“I can’t believe [Anthopoulos is] thinking about doing this,” one AL official said Saturday, before the Jays and Mets finished the structure of the deal.”
“He’s out of his mind, said another.”
“…d’Arnaud is viewed as a difference-maker, a catcher who hits and has a lot of skills behind the plate, and is projected as someone who will play in the big leagues for more than a decade. Through the Blue Jays’ 35-year history — including the glory years fostered by Pat Gillick — players like d’Arnaud have been the heart and soul of the franchise.”
Hi Xtreem,
I don’t know where the confusion is about my stating one cannot have things both ways when it comes to Bleacher Report.
If Bleacher Report is not a reliable source and therefore what it says about those other eleven prospects should be dismissed, then shouldn’t the same standard apply to our top three prospects – all coming from trades – which are rated by them as A-? Should we not also question their judgement to them as well?
I think I understand what you are trying to get at – it’s not so much BR’s reliability when it comes to the top prospects in the country for that is easy – it’s those that need more scruiteny in which their shortcomings come out.
If the Mets want another starter, they should talk to Detroit about either Rick Porcello or Drew Smyly, but preferably Smyly. Apparently, the Tigers are fielding calls about him and if you haven’t seen him perform this past season, I got you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMb8MS9kjoI
I LOVE his breaking/offspeed stuff. Sky’s the limit and he’s only 23.
Alderson: ”I’m hoping in coming years our overall popularity will be a function of success rather than individuals.”
I truly wish DW was more successful (he is not a superstar remember) and less popular.
“Mets have lots of work to do. Shopping list includes: outfielders, starting pitcher, catcher, relievers.”
Used to just have Outfielders, Catcher and Relievers on it…
Before that had Catcher and Relievers
Before that Just Catchers….
I see a trend here….
LOL Damn you for being so observant….
I’m starting to wonder…. when someone says we need to make a trade to fill all the holes, are they filling OUR holes or just the the holes of the rest of the MLB?
Everything you write is geared to cast the Mets in the worst possible light. Your snark seems limitless. Your sense of fair play is nonexistant. I hope you’re enjoying yourself immensely.
I’m done with your god-awful website.
Be what it may other than Buck none of these kids are ready for major league play, we shall see, so SA states that he isn’t punting on 2013, isn’t that what Ryan said about Jets in 2012?
Our RH outfield p/u will probably be Hairston, since he has not been able to get the deal he is looking for.
I hope that SA doesn’t sign Scott then say that he has addressed RH OF bat issue!
I still don’t see anything that has improved this team for 2013, yet.
The only reason d’Arnaud won’t be on the opening day roster is to preserve his minor league status and keep him locked in for an extra year. He will be the starting catcher by June.
And yes, that will be an upgrade.
They don’t need to sign another catcher to back up Buck. They already got Recker on waivers.
“6:47 PM – Alderson said by Tuesday or Wednesday of last week, final structure of players in deal was put in place.”
Wait, does that mean The Sources were unaware or silent about this for a week?