12
2012
The Day Sandy Alderson Ran Out Of Good Faith
An article by 
You can mark it on your calendar. December 11th, 2012 is the day Sandy Alderson officially abused the trust of Mets fans for the final time. Yes, I’m well aware that there are plenty of you out there that saw this coming. I’ve heard from many of you, previously convinced that the team’s front office had hidden agendas. However, the fact remains that Alderson’s on-air confirmation, at the team’s Christmas party no less, that there will be no sweeping changes this offseason is the moment that struck the first proverbial nail into his coffin as the General Manager of the New York Mets.
I’m sure you’ll also remember that on October 4th, 2012, shortly after the close of the 2012 season, Sandy appeared on WFAN with Mike Francesa to say the following in regards to the team in general, more specifically to the positions of outfield and cather:
“There will be more substantial changes, than subtle changes.”
Call it naivety if your must, but for some reason I took Alderson at his word that the Mets would finally begin to move forward. As recently as last week, I wrote that the winter meetings would be the beginning of the turnaround. Well the winter meetings have come and gone without a single move. In the process, the Mets have managed to insult the reigning National League Cy Young into publicly criticizing the team he has vowed his loyalties to. All this makes me ask, what exactly is the end game here?
Certainly that end game isn’t to put forth a better product? To date the Mets have only retained All-Star third baseman, David Wright. Speaking of Wright, who negotiated his deal to free up an additional $8 million dollars of payroll for the team in 2013..what must he be thinking? Having been sold on the organization’s path going forward, it now appears as if Sandy Alderson won’t even reinvest the money Wright will go without this year, nevermind elevate the payroll in general. If I feel swindled, I’d have to imagine Wright is having trouble sleeping right now.
Alderson has done a lot of things since arriving. First and foremost, he has deconstructed what were once the New York Mets. Dropping a payroll that was once in excess of $140 million dollars to what stands to be less than $90 million this season, the Mets seem as far away from contending as they have in recent memory. So what Alderson traded an injury ridden Carlos Beltran for stud prospect, Zach Wheeler. So what he’s resigned the face of the franchise. So what he’s shielded ownership from further scrutiny. At some point he’ll be forced to answer for his lies too.
You see Alderson has sold a bill of goods to the Mets fan base. The 2014 season was to be the year of the revival, but there is no plan in place to date that can see that plan to fruition. Instead the Mets appear set to bring in bottom of the barrel free agents to once again bandage a flawed roster. Once again, Alderson will stand in front of the microphone at Spring Training and preach about the clarity of the market and the possibility of contention should everything fall into the place. However, for the first time, I won’t be buying what the con man is selling!
Sandy Alderson may have been brought here to see the Wilpon’s through the most difficult years of their ownership. In fact, he may be doing just that. But don’t lie to me. Don’t lie to the legions of fans who expect a quality product, who expect the Mets to function like a big market franchise and those who expected a man of his word. David Wright was quoted on WFAN yesterday as saying he didn’t remain in Queens to finish in fourth place. Welp, I wonder how he feels about last place, because that precisely the type of team Alderson is in the process of piecing together.
Three years after his arrival, the Mets remain a mess..and worse yet there is no end in sight. Sandy Alderson is not the answer and he’s certainly not “the adult in the room”. Save the schtick going forward Sandy, because we’re not buying it anymore.
Follow me on Twitter at @RobPatterson83
About the Author: Rob Patterson
Ultimately, I owe nearly thirty years of Mets related torture to my mother, who is the reason I became a fan. I was too young to remember the 86 run, but hope to see one I'll be able to recall much sooner than later. I enjoy writing about the team and welcome your feedback on my posts. Oh..and I am not with 28!
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If Mets ownership cannot even afford to pay the reigning CY Young award winner a “below market” value contract then it is time for them to sell. Why has Bud Selig allowed this franchise to wallow, sell off their assets and field a patch quilt lineup is beyond me.
They are in the media capital of the world yet time and time again show they do not how to properly address PR and now resort to negative media leaks to paint RA Dickey as the bad guy, when in truth the whole negotiation has been botched.
The Wilpons have long ago erased whatever measure of trust I had in them to field a good team and do the right thing by their fans, You want the Wilpons to know you are unhappy….don’t purchase tickets. Hit them in their wallet as that is the only thing that matters to them.
If this was Frank McCourt, Bud would have had the Mets sold to competent ownership by now.
Very valid points concerning Selig and the Wilpons.
Someday, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out not only did he lend them $25 MIL and allow an extension on that loan – as well as approve the 40 MIL bridge loan to get to minority investors – some baseball writer is going to dig up more dirt on how far it actually went to help Fred retain the team.
I can only hope when Jeff inherits the team, he decides to sell. He already has a chip on his shoulder.
CLEON, YOU’RE FOCUSING ON THE RIGHT TARGET, WILPON WALLETS; HOWEVER IT ISN’T JUST MET GAME TICKETS THAT SHOUKLD BE BOYCOTTED, ANY EFFECTIVE BOYCOTT SHOULD ENCOMPASS ALL CITIDIELD PROMOTIONS ie CONCERTS, INT’L SOCCER, ASG,ALLSTAR WEEK ACTIVITIES, HR DERBY, ETC, et al CITIFELD SHOULD BECOME NYC’s VERSION OF CHERNOBYL
JOHN HARPER, NY DAILY NEWS, HAS ELUDED TO SOME “PERSONAL” ISSUE OWNERSHIP HAD WITH RESIGNING R.A. I’D BET $$$ TO DUNKINS IT’S TIED TO HIS REFUSING WILPON’S REQUEST TO CANCEL ILAANJARO TRIP AT THE LAST MOMENT HARPER THEN ELUDED T THAT ISSUE BEING SMOOTHED UNDER ALLOWING ALDERSON TO REPKG HIS OFFER. IF ANYTHING CAN BE LEARNED ABOUT WILPON VENGEANCE AGAINST PUBLIC “DISLOYALTY” WE SHOULD RE-EXAMINE THE WILLIE RANDOLPH “ON THE RECORD, OFF THE RECORD INTERVIEW CONCERNING HIS STATUS. DESPITE PUBLICLY ACCEPTING WILIE’S MEA CULPAS JEFF QUICKLY JUMPED INTO THE DRIVER’S SEAT ODF THE BUS RUNNING WILLIE OVER, WEEKS LATER. BTW. IMO, COLOR R.A. IN TX RED.
ALDRESON BETTER QUICKLY SECURE A CATCHER BECAUSE THE BEST PKG FOR DICKEY WILL NEED TO INCLUDE THOLE AS INSURANCE SOMEONE CAN BE HIS EFFECTIVE BACKSTOP.WHEREEVER HE GOES.
AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS OBXERVED THOLE’S NEW INVOLUNTARY REFLEX OF SQUEEZING HIS EYES SHUT TIGHT ON ANTICIPATED FOULBALLS, THUS LEADING TO HIS HIGH # OF PASSEDBALLS ON SWINGING STRIKES.
DOES ANYONE HAVE A CLUE WHY THE TEAM AVOIDS FLORES AS AN OPTION?
Are you trying to say that the Core was right all along? Maybe the Mayans were right. In nine days none of this will matter. Seriously however, as many have said, this offseason belonged to Mr. Alderson. He has twice as much money as the last two offseasons combined to spend. Most general managers would be thrilled to have $25 million to spend and would most likely do so judiciously. This is inexcusable.
Are you trying to say that the Core was right all along?”
YES HE IS!!!!!!!!!!!! Because we were 100%
My first “this^” =D
PHOENIXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The CORE Salute you as always!!!!!!!!!!! where you been buddy!!!!????
Been around a little Alex. Mostly lurking, reading and taking it all in. Been so sour on what’s happening, I didn’t have the enthusiasm to post much. Things well with you, sir?
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-11-08/news/34999159_1_mets-gm-ike-davis-gm-meetings
PALM SPRINGS Sandy Alderson made his first appearance at the GM meetings Thursday and immediately went into Alfred E. Neuman What me worry? mode.
Ya think the Mets prospective outfield of Lucas (Furniture Man) Duda, Kirk Nieuwenhuis and God Knows Who is a laughing matter? Alderson agrees with you.
Asked whether the outfield was his top priority this winter, the Mets GM replied: Outfield? What outfield? We’re probably gonna have to bring the fences in another 150 feet!”
With that, Alderson began reciting his current options, beginning with Duda, who was originally going to at least go to spring training as the platoon left fielder with Jason Bay, until Bay was suddenly released on Wednesday, with the Mets choking down the remaining $21 million on his contract. Even Duda is a bit of a question mark after the Mets announced a day earlier that he had somehow broken his wrist while moving furniture in his house.
“We like Duda, although he does come with a lot of furniture”, Alderson said, grinning. He kind of stopped there while silently acknowledging his own gag.
LMAOOOOO
His entire stewardship has been a laughing matter. It’s time now for a better equipped GM to take over the reins.
It doesnt matter if the boss = Jeff Wilpon
I’M CURIOSD AS TO THE ODDS VEGS WOULD GIVE OF A YANKEE OWNERSHIP CHANGE PREDATING A METS’ CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP.
I BELIEVE SELIG DESPERATELY PROPS UP THE WILPONS TO AVOID ANOTHER MARK CUBAN EFFORT @ MLB OWNERSHIP
HE’S TERRFIED OF TWO RUNAWAY OWNER’S SPENDING DOMINATING EACH COAST
THIS ^^^
Fine job young man. You hit the nail on the head.
Alderson or not, I am not about to rant and rave in early December about the 2013 season.
However, not giving Dickey a good, two-year deal would definitely inaugurate a really dismal 2013. Get a Dickey deal done immediately, and then we’ll learn something about pretenses of this organization getting serious about competition as well as building steadily toward a championship–the only kind of “plan” that makes sense and is acceptable.
As a fan, I expect the Mets to win at least 10 more games in 2013 over 2012. Anything less would be a real disappointment.
As a fan, I expect the Mets to win at least 10 more games in 2013 over 2012. Anything less would be a real disappointment.
What about as a realist? Have you given that possibility any thought, good sir?
With Dickey, possibly the same record as last season.
Without Dickey, the distinct possibility for 95 loses.
An expectation is by definition an expectation.
Realistically, how many games did the Mets let slip away in 2012; how many did we blow?
Counterfactual: had we not swooned after the ASB…
Lots of contingencies exist. Think about it.
Alderson or not, I am not about to rant and rave in early December about the 2013 season.”
Of course you’re not, he signed and extended your idol so who cares if we lose 100 games next year…
I’d ask you to do yourself a favor and go beyond reading the first sentence of my post, but I suppose that’s asking too much.
One thing Z. Pitchers and catchers report in 56 days. NL East teams are wrapping up their offseason moves while the Mets have yet to set sail.
Of course there weren’t going to be any real changes this year. The Mets didn’t suddenly get another 30mil to spend and there really isn’t that much out there via free agency to upgrade the team and the Mets don’t have the players to trade to pull off anything major.
The only “wholesale changes” that could be made would be mimicking the Marlins the past two years. Either the 2011-12 Marlins and attempt to buy every FA out there or the 2012-13 Marlins and trade away any value they have. We know that Sandy ain’t buying nothing so now it’s the selling off path, but resigning killed part of that and other than Neise, Ike and a handful of prospects, they really don’t have any value to trade.
Omar traded and signed players to appease the fan base, Sandy just promised changes and did nothing in attempts to appease the fans…which one is worse?
Not much in free-agency?
really?
Here is what a GM could’ve done …
Improve OF Defense and Offense
Sign Bourn to play CF – add 12 mil to payroll
Sign BJ Upton to play RF – add 12 mil to payroll
Keep Duda in LF
24 mil added to payroll
Improve Infield and decrease payroll
1 – Trade Niese + Mejia + Flores to Texas for Profur, Martin Perez move Tejada to 2B ( minus 3 mil )
2 – Trade David Wright for a package of prospects, move Murphy to 3B ( minus 16 mil )
3 – Trade Dickey to Toronto for Gose + Travis D’anard – ( minus 5 mil )
Replenish Starting Rotation
1 – Sign Anibal Sanchez to replace Niese
New rotation
1 – Sanchez
2 – Harvey
3 – Santana
4 – Gee
5 – Wheeler
New infield
1B – Ike
2B – Tejada
SS – Profur ( or Andrus )
3B – Murphy ( or keep Wright )
C – Travis
New Outfield
LF – Duda
CF – Bourn
RF – Upton
With the 12 mil they saved with Bay + the 8 mil given by Wright, the mets could do all these moves and still have a payroll around 100 mil
so yeah, I say Sandy is being lazy, indifferent and doesnt give as much of a shit as you would think
“Trade Niese + Mejia + Flores to Texas for Profur, Martin Perez move Tejada to 2B ( minus 3 mil )”
No way in hell this would’ve happened. Andrus? Maybe. Profar? No. Profar is their star and isn’t moving him for anyone. I believe Daniels & Ryan firmly said that.
I was also looking up and down your list and happened to notice no “new bullpen” like we sorely need. With Dickey, again, this is what I would’ve done:
RA Dickey for Mike Olt, Neftali Feliz, Robbie Ross and Ryan Rodebaugh
New LF, a closer, a setup man, and a second lefty….all the things we really need in that pen. With the additions, you go into the season with a pen like this:
Lannan (long relief), Edgin, Ross, Familia, Francisco, Parnell, Rodebaugh, Feliz
As much as I like Sanchez, I feel Sanchez would be more of a fit for Texas and instead, we go after Shaun Marcum to replace Niese.
With the Wright situation, I would’ve packaged him with Wheeler to land Giancarlo Stanton for RF.
How dare you suggest that the sky hasn’t fallen on Dec. 12th?
Since the world’s about to end pretty soon, what does any of this balderdash matter?
2014, the year even the Marlins will be better than us.
I guess you have had a revelation or a metamorphosis in the space of two weeks. Whatever you want to call it, glad you have seen the light.
I guess you have had a revelation or a metamorphosis in the space of two weeks. Whatever you want to call it, glad you have seen the light”
THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The CORE is finally getting the recognizition it deserved. Too bad bayonne is not here to cherish this moment..
The Mets negative goodwill is lower than fan expectations for this franchise. The distrust for ownership and front office is lower than the M. Donald Grant days and the Seaver fiasco. We have a golden boy all dressed up and no place to go but 4th place. Matt Harvey will not stick around with Borus as his agent. The Yankees are counting the days until they sign him just like they did with David Cone. Ike was dissed and he will bolt ASAP. But we have golden boy and his followers the face of an inept organization for as long as the Wilpons are owners. SA is their puppet. The fans are held hostage.
Is it safe to say that Jay Horwitz is the worst public relations director in baseball?
“Is it safe to say that Jay Horwitz is the worst public relations director in baseball?”
I would say HELL YEAH!!!!
BUT, you have to look what Jay is working with the Wilponzis….Freddy Coupons, Jeffy aka “Silver spoon” “Lucky Sperm”Coupons, Sandy “The Shylock” Alderson, Pauly “Google Boy” DePodesta(Computer formula drafter), Saul Katz in the hat…
And “A Weekend at Bernie’s Madoff with innocent peoples money”
Jeff Wilpon seems to be a Grade A scumbag….and his name always comes up with everything that is wrong and off with the Mets…..EVERY TIME
I agree, is he the worst or just the most overworked? LOL.
Dickey is scheduled to earn $5 million this upcoming season….how much are the Mets paying the trio of Alderson, J.P. Ricciardi and Paul DePodesta?
What exactly has been the return on that investment?
Hi Cleon,
How come nobody is quoting WAR for the trio you just mentioned?
When I see Alderson in front of a mic, this comes to mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y
LMAO!!!
Sandy thinks Paul Depo + JP should be paid more than Dickey
LMAO
As far as I am concerned, the only thing Alderson and the Mets’ front office has done wrong is not sign Dickey to the very affordable and fair contract he is asking for. However, the offseason is moving just like it always does: the big names come of the board first (Greinke, Napoli, and one day Hamilton) and then other free agents begin to sign. The Mets are smart not to get to overzealous and overspend this offseason. Who would you like them to sign? The 32 year old center fielder who is injury prone for 7 years and close to 200M? Or the pitcher who suffers from an anxiety disorder (sounds like a good thing to have while playing in the biggest market in the country) for, again, close to 200M? Remember the good old days when the Mets threw money around? Who can forget Oliver Perez, the end of Beltran’s days here, and Jason Bay. Also, besides from 2007, 2008, and June 1 2012, Johan Santana has been paid like an ace, but has taken more trips to the DL then trips to the mound, or so it seems. The Mets could get better through trade, however the farm system is still relatively mediocre (aside from Wheeler) and the only way Alderson could bring back major league talent would be to trade current major leagures in return. Alderson recently said the opening day roster would look much like the closing day roster in 2012. If I remember correctly, that roster had a pretty good first half. If the Mets aquire a 2nd tier outfielder, much like Hairston, and make Duda a bench player, I think the 2013 Mets will be an improvement. Besides it is December 12, there is no reason to believe this is the beginning of the end.
As far as I am concerned, the only thing Alderson and the Mets’ front office has done wrong is not sign Dickey to the very affordable and fair contract he is asking for”
REALLY???? Trading beltran, krod and pagan for virtually NOTHING. Losing reyes for nothing. signing FFF, rauch and carrasco? You’ve got to be kidding me
However, the offseason is moving just like it always does: the big names come of the board first (Greinke, Napoli, and one day Hamilton) and then other free agents begin to sign”
for 3 straight years we’ve seen the same plan, how’s that worked out for us? 84-88 losses in back to back seasons, not to mention, the same sh**** ass roster that ended last season is the same one coming back with more sorry ass rejects from oakland and san diego.. You’ve got to be kidding me.. I thought all sandy’s lovers were conceiding defeat, guess not… My goodness!
First off, I meant this offseason. Also, trading 3 months of Beltran for the Giant’s top pitching prospect? A pitching prospect who has now become the Mets top overall prospect? How was that not a success? Krod? Was he really someone’s favorite player on the Mets during 2010 and 2011? He couldn’t do his job, and there was no team that would trade real talent for a closer who can’t close. Take emotion and love for the players away from these decisions and a lot of them make sense. Also, you can’t argue that the “Shitty-ass” roster that the Mets fielded in 2012 wasn’t competitive at the beginning of last season. Let’s remember that there was a stretch from August to the end of the season where the Mets had essentially no offense. That won’t be the case next year, it was just a fluke. With the pitching staff the Mets have now, and the same offense they had during the first half of last season (if you assume Ike Davis won’t start 2013 like he did 2012) there will be more wins. Are the Mets going to win the East? No, most likely not. However the wild card is in sight. Have a little faith.
Well ……..Someones been drinking Vodka out of there coffee mug this morning
Hi Bill,
With the problems a general manager is supposed to see occuring down the road – like with our outfield of Bay, Pagan and Beltran not even in our immediate future and only Duda seeming like he could carry the bat to replace them, don’t you think we might have been better off by trading Beltran for a high rated position player rather than for a top rated pitcher, considering the depth of young arms we already had on the roster and developing in the minors?
Our starting pitching has the potential to be quite good for many years down the road – not even counting Wheeler – yet the complete opposite can be said about our outfield situation.
As far as having faith, if KRod and Beltran could be traded while the Mets were in the hunt for the wild card and that we can go from buyers to sellers in less than three weeks during July of this past season, it is hard to be optomistic knowing what we can expect from this front office should we be in the same position again, based on it’s past track record,
BIll88, Just say let’s have faith because we’re mets fans, but don’t sit in front of your computer and write all this nonsense about the mets offense. First you said the mets had no offense, yet you expect a rebound because it was a fluke? While ike davis was on fire everyone else stunk, but wouldn’t be the case that in the first half the mets offense being good was being a fluke as well? The league caught up with what they were doing, which was waiting for a walk most of the time, the results? hitters beign put in 0-2 1-2 holes most of the time, which usually don’t give out good results in the long run..
Also you mention the pitching staff, ummm. ok, how do you know dickey will be as good? How do you know santana will hold up? Gee is a ? mark, Harvey might be the man but at this point who knows, also, where is the bullpen? come on man, just be honest with yourself, you like SA and want him to succeed, hell, me too, but at this point defending him and his moves is utterly ridiculous…
Alex:
Yankees: CC twice on DL last year; Petite and Kurodo (40 and 38 yr old pitchers); Novo…poor 2012
Phillies: Halliday (injured last year and going on 36); Lee (will he bounce back); Hamels (will the pressure of the contract get to him); Who are their 4 and 5?
Atlanta: Hudson (38 year old ace); Beachy…coming off surgery and out for most of year; Medlen (will he repeat last year not losing in 21 starts)
You can say that about most teams. The Mets were shot last year losing 60% of their starting staff throughout the season. Few teams can withstand that especially when there is so little depth in the organization. Does that mean the Mets dont have questions with their staff? No. But most other teams have the same questions.
Hey, you left out that fan favorite Castillo!
Greinke–God, he would have made Pelfrey look like the model of calm, cool, and collected!
Hi Robert,
Your reversal of position just shows that you are indeed a very open minded individual in general who will look beyond his or her own position when dealing with issues that are way more important than the New York Mets.
Though many of us were cynical from the beginning (and rightfully so), you had given Alderson the benefit of the doubt by applying your own standards of honesty and integrity onto him and the Wilpons and giving them some time. Nobody can fault you for extending an olive branch.
Am I the only one who thinks Alderson is doing the right thing with Dickey? We all know the Mets are in dire need of outfield, bullpen, and catching help. If you don’t think Alderson knows this, then you are foolish. He is waiting for a team to become desperate and give up either major league ready players, or top prospects to fill those holes. Dickey’s value will never be higher than it is right now.If he is not blown away, he will sign Dickey for about 30 million for 2 years….Sandy is definitely the one with the leverage in this deal… I am fully aware that we Mets fans are running out of patience, but I trust Sandy and his assistants to build a consistent winner.
I am not commenting on the last part today but only the first.
Yes I do believe that the Mets are following the right path with Dickey and shouldn’t be in any hurry whatsoever.
“I am not commenting on the last part today but only the first.”
Thats surprising coming from you…lol
But heres a question regarding your 2014 rebuild project….If that is the target date shouldnt we have acquired pieces other than Wheeler before 2013 off-season arrives?
Shouldnt we have acquired players on the roster before 2013 offseason…just curious to understand that dates logic since we have no impact bats in the minors with an ETA of 2014 besides ahhhh Flores…Cory Vaughn is an intriguing talent has power,high OBP(which this regime worships), Good speed for a big man, Arm…just needs to make more contact and get the Batting avg up..but not quite a player that says yeah 2014 is gonna be the year
That’s a good logical question BBL. Yes I would have liked to see some more trades for guys that have high upside and could be ready by 2014-2015. Obviously Wheeler is a big part of that, as was the re-signing of Niese. I also feel like that while they may not be ready by 2014 there has been a change in the draft and development of players, we shall see if that works. I do believe that Palawhatever, the catcher drafted will be a guy on the fast track and believe that he along with some of the others in the minors are fine for catcher of the future. That is why I am not high on trading our chips for catcher. However, OF help seems to be light years away at best. The Mets have been damned by lack of production from a few guys who just seem to be taking up space on the 40 man as OF. I expected much more from Cesar Puello, and Juan Lagares. They’re not dead yet but they seem to have one foot in the grave in terms of being able to help.
Now I am rambling. I guess my point is that while yes the impatient side of me would like to rant and rave. However, I still believe that patience is key in this. I still do think it’s very POSSIBLE for the Mets to build towards the future. If that is trading Dickey for prospects? If that is pulling off a trade of Flores and prospects for a young hitter? Perhaps it’s turning Flores into a 2B and trusting the development of Kirk? I have NEVER cared who found the prospect or this is Omar’s guy or this is Sandy’s guy and hopefully neither do the Mets. So while I am at times discouraged because all the rest of the baseball world seems to have something to talk about while we just have more of the same… I realize that baseball is a great sport full of surprises and turns that we are not always privy to.
I hope that answered some of it. I am too damn tired to put together too many coherent thoughts.
I think you are correct. All the cards are in the Mets hands with Dickey; He can only say yes or no to a contract. The Mets can trade him to wherever they want, whenever they want, for whomever they want. Alderson is smart to drag the process out. I dont know if he will find a desperate team now but I do believe he will come the trading deadline. There are too many pitchers who go down during the season. Someone will need Dickey. The only risk is if he gets hurt or has a poor first half.
Since the Mets have so few assets to trade, Alderson needs to be smart with what little he does have. Since Wright was never even considered for trade, that leaves only Dickey, Wright, and Davis who would net anything and it doesnt make sense, when rebuilding, to trade guys who are 25.
“Am I the only one who thinks Alderson is doing the right thing with Dickey?”
Most of us agree trading Dickey for younger pieces to continue to build the team for the future is the way to go….
BUT, It is foolish on The Mets and Alderson’s part to get frustrated with Dickey when he talks to the media about his frustrations with his current contract negotiations with the Mets….WHY you might ask?
Because whats good for the goose is good for the gander!
Why is it fair game for the Mets and Alderson to publicly flaunt Dickey around like trade bait while negotiating a contract with him…and not Ok for Dickey to respond and voice his opinion??? Christmas charity event or not it doesnt matter, if the Mets didnt want him to speak about it then they shouldnt have had the media on hand. Or stated to the Media they will not talk baseball but just about the event, it has been done before
BBLB… WHILE I’M A HUGE BELIEVER THAT 2012 WAS JUST A GLIMPSE OF DICKEY’S ABILITIES I WOULD HAVE TO STATE I BELIEVE ALDERSON IS GOING ABOUT TRYING TO TRADE HIM THE WRONG WAY EVEN IF A POTENTIAL TRADE PARTNER ENVISIONED DICKEY’S POTENTIAL AS HIGH AS I DO THEY WOULD BE OATHE TO PART WITH THEIR BEST PROSPECTS FOR A 1Y POTENTIAL RENTAL BECAUSE SHOULD DIVKEY EXCEED HIS 2012 SEASON, A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY, HIS DEMANDS MAY EXCEED MY PYUSE TO RETAIN HIM.
TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST RERTURN FOR TRADING DICKEY, ALDERSON SHOULD AGREE WITH DICKEY’S OFFER SECURING HIS SERVICES FOR 3 RELATIVLY REASONABKLE COST SEASONS, PKG HIM WITH TGHOLE TO CALM CONCERN OVER HAVING A CAPABLE RECEIVER. THEN GO TO MASRKET OFFERING 3Y OF A PITCHER WHOSE PAST 3Y EITHER MEETS OR EXCEEDS 95% OF HIS PEERS.
THAT, MY FRIEND IS HOW U MANAGE TO MINIMIZE OBJECTIONS & MAXIMIZE POTENTIAL OFFERS.
EITHER WAY, AS THE BEST BET TO THRIOW A NO-NO ON THEIR CURRENT ROSTER DICKEY WOULD BEST SERVE HIS CURRENT MASTERS IN FLUSHING.
And now you’re gonna get killed by the Omar lovers
Sandy Alderson is the biggest joke of a General Manager the Mets have ever had.
The moneyballers, Sabergooners and ____ers will disagree with that statement somehow…
The day a GM listens to fans like the ones who wrote this article is the day when the Gm sits next to the fan in the stands.
Hi Pete,
What fans in what stands?
I am assuming he means fired.
Some will tell you it’s too late for Sandy…he Signed Wright!
Sandy got away with what he was doing because some wrongly believed he was saving up for a rainy day and was hoarding money to be able to go on a buying spree at some point to get us a winner….
Because he spent it on Wright they are now saying ok THIS is the moment we waited for and suffered to get to….
And they are now seeing the truth…
This guy was not saving money to spend he was just saving money PERIOD!
Because he actually believes being cheap is good even if your not successful!
He’s not building a team, he is building a good accounting report and thats all he is really capable of!
I see People (and many of the fence jumpers) seem to be irked by the “CHANGES” part f his statement….
I think you all may have missed what it was he had planned to change when he said it!
He wasn’t referring to the OF, the BP, the Catcher at all….
What he was referring to was the 3B and the Pitcher he had planned to trade away that would have significantly changed the look of this team both by omission of two of it’s biggest stars and the acquisition of the windfall he expected to get by trading them!
He tried as hard as he could to trade both Wright and Dickey but he could not get enough to placate either WIlpon/Himself (and the Fans,) into being willing to take the Fan heat such a move would bring about!
No one would bend over for him enough so that he could sell losing such fan favorites to the fanbase, And what he got offerred was never going to be enough to offset what those two would likely do wherever it was they went.
THAT is where the “Significant Change” was going to be and he could not get enough to make that change happen….
So he resigned Wright to a deal he would not have done under normal circumstances, and he is still holding out hope Dickey will all of a sudden be the ONLY pitcher of worth on the market so some other team will spread it for him and let him rape them of prospects, That will fail as well….
And he will wind up with pretty much the same team he had in 2012 with the only difference being the names of the cheap scrubs his WAITING and PATIENCE will force him to sign because all the reasonably priced decent players will have signed elsewhere while he was waiting for a MARKET that waits for no one to turn in his favor.
This guy is still GMing like it is 1990 and Free Agency is still in it’s infancy, A time where teams were still avoiding and unaccepting of the new Free Agent buy what you need reality and those who were close were willing to give away kids to get the one piece they needed because thats how you always got great players before Curt Flood won his case!
He is a man out of time and will never succeed in the new business enviornment of the MLB.
The game has passed this guy by and we should recognize that even if he has a plan its a plan that might have worked but only if he has a time machine that can go back to the late 80′s early 90′s which is the last time it worked!
The game has passed him by!
Just as Kodak found themselves in the wrong Analog business int he digital age…
This guy still operates under what he thinks works but hasn’t since the early 90′s!
All those changes he expected to make was in trading away Wright and Dickey, nothing else because he doesn’t like to spend and will NEVER spend even after Wilpon says he can!
Alderson’s previous executive positions were with Oakland and San Diego, two small to medium size markets. This guy was not ready for the Big Time in the Big Apple. It is clear he is out of his element and doesn’t have the moxie to play in our market in New York. We wouldn’t take Brandon Nimmo and put him in the outfield in 2013 or 2014 yet the Mets take a guy like this and the Wilpons make him a lap dog for their failures and he’s too damn dumb to know it or knows it and sucks it up too stuff his pocket with the money. He takes the beating while the Wilpons smile and eat caviar. Ah, the New York Mets- guppies swimming in the shark tank.
Sandy Alderson is a fraud, and that’s been obvious since he’s been here. He has no interest in Mets fans, despite his bs. His handling of Dickey is shameless. He’s planning a status quo team, with some minor ripples, and if Mets fans accept it by buying tickets, they deserve another lost season, which they will get.
Yes I mean fired, pennants are not won in December, there is no rush to sign Dickey, he is already signed. There are really no players out there that put the mets over the top that you can get on a good contract. They need to move dickey to get young controllable high ceiling position players. Bottom line. They should have traded wright as well.
For the record as a life long Met fan it is refreshing that Alderson is not emotionally involved, he us handling dickey great, Dickey is desperate for a contract in case he gets hurt or gas a down year, why rush to lock him up even someone might bite at the bait. Rushing to sign him is just not a smart move. LOL
PETER, YOU’VE OBVIOUSLY MISSED A VERY IMPORTANT GROUP OF STATISTICS THAT BEGAN IN 2010 AFTER DICKEY FULLY CONVERTED FROM MEDIOCRE CONVENTIONAL PITCHER TO SUBLIME MAGICIAN SPECIALIZING IN DUMBFOUNDING YOUNG INEXPERIENCED,AGGRESSIVE LINEUPS WHETHER @ AAA OR MLB LEVELS AS OVER THE PAST 3 FULL YEARS PITCHING FOR A VERY MEDIOCRE FRANCHISE DICKEY MANAGED TO COMPILE 99 GS RESULTING UIN A 43-30 RECORD WITH A 3.01 COMPOSITE ERA & MERE 1.15 WHIP AMASSING 10 CG INCL 4 SHO WHILE ENDURING BOTH PLANTAR FASCITIS & AN ABDOMINAL TEAR ALONG WITH A SPLIT FINGERNAIL WHILE MANAGING A VERY CONSISTANT 3:1 K:BB RATIO
THE TIME TO POUNCE ON A MARKED DOWN PRICE OF MERELY 10M/YR IS ASAP WHENEVER OFFERED DELAY MAY PROVE QUITE COSTLY AS IT IS MORE LIKELY THAN NOT HIS DOMINATING YOUNGER MORE AGGRESSIVE LINEUPS WILL CONTINUE MAKING HIM THE MOST LIKELY TO TOSS A NO-NO OF ALL PRESENTLY CONSIDERED AS ROTATIONAL MET PITCHERS. SHOULD THAT HAPPEN HIS SIGNING COST MAY NOREMALIZE NORTH OF 20M REGARDLESS OF AGE. SINCE HE IS NATURALLY IMMUNE TO NEEDING FUTURE TJ SURGERY HIS HEALTH RISK FACTOR DEMINISHES LIKE A NATIONWIDE DEDUCTABLE.
THERE IS NO LOGICAL CAUSE TO WAIT. HIS TRADE VALUE IF DEEMED AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY, SHOULD ONLY INCREASE IF LOCKED IN FOR 3Y AFFORDABLY.
ADERSION SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER THE FEAR FACTOR DICKEY PRESENTS FOR RECEIVING CATCHERS AS THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE FOR HIS MISSING THE ASG STARTING HONOR AS WELL AS DISCOUNTING HIS PRESUMED VALUE TO A RECEIVING TEAM. SO MUCH SO, ALDERSON CERTAINLY SHOULD CONSIDER DICKEY & THOLE AS A TRADE PKG OFFERING.
Great article Robert. I’m 100% with you. But you forgot to mention “We’re not punting on 2013″. Just like they weren’t punting on 2012…….and 2011. Hard to swallow that lie when the special team is already on the field……and about to fumble the ball to boot! What is it with Alderson and his football analogies????? Does he not even know he’s the GM of a B-A-S-E-B-A-L-L team???? LOL
Oh, not to rub salt in the wound here, but for those hoping for the expiration of Alderson’s contract as GM as a beacon of possible light, forget it. When he’s done his protege J.P. Ricciardi is poised to replace him. Remember that fresh 3 year extension he got just a few weeks ago? It sure wasn’t given to him to remain an Assistant GM for the duration.