There is so much chatter from fans on Mets Twitter and even more so in the Mets Blogosphere regarding expectations and how the front office ultimately handled the offseason.
The mainstream media is giving the Mets two thumbs down, I’m sure you’ve read most of their assessments.
About a dozen MLB analysts and reporters list the Michael Cuddyer deal as one of the worst transactions of the offseason.
That no lefthanded reliever was brought in on a major league deal – after the front office listed it as a top priority – has also been scrutinized by the mainstream, with at least one report accusing the Mets of “chicanery” for leaks connecting them to almost every top lefty reliever out there.
The biggest point of contention, however, has been the lack of any creativity in upgrading at shortstop – or what Sandy Alderson called his top priority this offseason.
Is all of this criticism warranted or justified?
Here is part of a huge rant I read this morning on Mets 360.
“This was supposed to be a big offseason. The dead weight contracts were off the books, the young gun pitchers had arrived with more on the way, The Dark Knight was coming back, and the fans were getting restless. After four consecutive losing seasons on his watch, and four winters of shedding salary and stockpiling prospects, Sandy Alderson set this up to be the big offseason when the Mets would bring in the difference maker. Fans were clamoring for this team’s version of Gary Carter or Mike Piazza – and sports writers fed their enthusiasm with talk of slugging veteran outfielders and slick fielding shortstops.”
“Names bandied about included Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, Yoenis Cespedes, Melky Cabrera,Nelson Cruz, Alex Gordon, Nick Markakis, Starlin Castro, Hanley Ramirez, Jay Bruce, Jose Bautista,Alexei Ramirez, and many others. But it was all wishful thinking. Nothing materialized beyond the signing of one overrated, overpriced, broken down free agent in Michael Cuddyer. Alderson and his team of Ivy League-educated underlings failed to properly assess the trade market and failed to facilitate the big blockbuster we were all waiting for and counting on.”
“Alex Rodriguez just issued an instantly infamous hand-written note apologizing to his fans, the Yankees organization, Major League Baseball and anyone else who cares about the sport who might forgive a lying, cheating, egomaniacal, former superstar with questionable judgment. Perhaps Sandy Alderson should follow suit and issue his own hand-written apology to Mets fans for a very disappointing offseason.”
You can read the rest of this blog post on Mets 360.
But getting back to my question, is all of this criticism justified? Do most of you feel the same way?
The Mets stated their offseason priorities as:
1. Upgrading Shortstop
2. Acquiring a Right-Handed Corner Outfielder
3. Acquiring a Left-Handed Reliever
How did they do? Did this offseason meet or exceed your expectations?
Honestly, when the Mets came out guns blazing in the first week of free agency and signed Michael Cuddyer, I thought to myself, “Wow, this is going to be a great offseason.” I was happy. I was thrilled. I was ready to bury the hatchet after years of disappointment. But unfortunately that signing ended up being the entire extent of the Mets offseason.
I still believe the Mets will contend this season and snap their six year losing streak, but there was so much more they could have done after telling fans that this was the year they would get back in the game and make things happen. I expected more of an urgency to make this team a championship caliber contender.
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