Photo: Mets.com
In the first vignette in Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez’s ‘Sin City’, Marv, played by Mickey Rourke, is dragging someone with one hand out the side of car and says, “I don’t know about you, but I’m having a ball.”
That’s the way I’ve felt since the hiring of Brodie Van Wagenen (BVW) and I think we should all be grateful. BVW has only made three moves, all of which have been questioned by Mets fans. But that’s not all…
There have been numerous names leaked to the media to the ire of Mets fans. Names like Noah Syndergaard and BVW immediately became the worst GM in history for even considering making a move like this, enough so for some to threaten or actually cancel their season tickets.
There has been talk with the crosstown Yankees, leading Mets fans to ponder just how much Brian Cashman would fleece BVW out of and how much it will hurt to see (enter Mets player here) succeed in pinstripes?
There have been numerous variations of the same trade for J.T. Realmeuto and all of them seem to involve BVW trading Amed Rosario, Brandon Nimmo and/or Michael Conforto. Regardless of which player you would be OK with losing, isn’t the real loss not seeing this young core group win together? There were talks about Yasmani Grandal and Martin Maldonado, and we’ve all looked into catching stats and wondered just how good or bad is the guy who started in the last two World Series?
Now that Wilson Ramos is signed, I’ve already seen how BVW was foolish not to sell high on Rosario and bring back the Marlins’ backstop or how Ramos is another slow-footed poor defender who will create a double-play pit in the middle of the lineup. OK, that one’s not out there yet, but how much are you willing to bet that a fan hasn’t posted something similar?
There have been many other blimps on the radar. Talks with the Cleveland Indians for two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. Talks with the oft-injured A.J. Pollock and veteran slugger Nelson Cruz. Whatever it’s been, it’s been constant and consistent. It’s been varied. It’s been sensible, it’s been ludicrous, and it’s been a dream come true.
We’re in the middle of the worst time in the sports calendar. There is no baseball. All levels of basketball, NBA, college, high school, they’re all still early in their seasons and nothing is decided. The same can be said for hockey.
Yes, the NFL is running full steam ahead and it’s great and it’s intriguing and it’s once a week. Yeah, they play on Mondays and Thursdays too. But there’s also actual futbol on as well with Champions League matches pitting Europe’s best football clubs.
So yes, there are other distractions. There are other ways to fill the time between now and Spring Training. But admit it, isn’t it nice to wonder what has BVW gotten us into now?
That provides the freedom to imagine if BVW offered Bryce Harper and Scott Boras 3-year, $100 million deal with an opt-out after two years. And the compensation is structured $20 million for the first two years. So going into the third year, Harper would have the choice of opting out or taking $60 million to play one more season…
I’m sure there are flaws to that scenario. It’s felt like all the writers I follow on Twitter are posting about different scenarios and we as Met fans take pleasure and pain in poking holes in them. It’s a beautiful thing. I look forward to people poking holes in this.
But that we are this deeply involved is the point. The actions and noise BVW is making is the only reason I check Twitter. I signed up for The Athletic because I caught a 60% discount and I wanted to read long articles about the Mets and baseball.
I think we all are a little more in tuned with the team and for that I thank BVW. It beats thinking about how despite having the second-most yards from scrimmage, the Giants have still found a way to misuse Saquon Barkley. Or wondering if this first year by Sam Donald are his growing pains before a breakout sophomore season or a sad establishment of the mean.
So it’s been a ball actually anticipating picking up my phone to see if BVW has done something. Or who is being talked about now. Or what free agent signing would be perfect and then reading 8 comments about how it would be the worst thing since Jason Bay.
