As winter creeps onto the landscape and the offseason crawls along, its becoming apparent that the sweeping changes that were promised by Mets GM, Sandy Alderson, are likely to be held off another year. Instead of renovating the roster to resemble that of a organization poised for a resurgence, the Mets remain in a holding pattern. The team’s front office had declared the World Series, then the Thanksgiving holiday and now the start of the winter meetings as dates for clarity on the futures of RA Dickey and David Wright. The first two dates have come and gone, with the latter quickly approaching, and yet we still wait. That appears to be what we do best around here these days…Wait.
Speaking as someone who was content with the idea that it took more than a season to screw this franchise up and that it will take more than a season to fix the mistakes of those that came before him, I tolerated the notion that 2014 might be the year the Mets find themselves back on the map. So, I waited. Waited for what, I’m not exactly sure, but I’m pretty sure I expected the framework for such a rebuild in place a mere season away from the self-imposed rebuilding deadline. For sure, the team would need at least a season to mesh, right? And still, I wait.
I think I’ve gotten to the point that I’m actually bored with what going on here. Quite frankly, I don’t care what the team’s financial situation. Furthermore, the methodical approach of Sandy Alderson seems to do nothing but make the agony of knowing there is little immediate hope on the horizon even worse. You see there is nothing wrong with signing low risk, high reward players like Tim Byrdak to minor league contracts. In fact, its good baseball sense. However, these are not the signings necessary to put the chips in place for a rebuild.
To be perfectly honest, resigning David Wright and RA Dickey only maintains the organization’s current position of limbo. These are the players that the front office should build around, but even their future is in doubt. If we’re lucky enough to ink them to long-term deals, I fear that the players filled in around them will simply maintain the status quo. Two months ago it was unfathomable that fifth outfielder, Andres Torres, might occupy a roster spot next season. Now it appears borderline likely. Simply put, scratching the bottom of the bargain bin has become tiresome.
As another spring training draws near, the blueprint for success is no clearer today than it was two years ago. Addition by subtraction has replaced the big market mindset brought to you by Omar Minaya and Bernie Madoff. Whether you blame poor investing, poor free agent signings, or even poor player development, the Mets schtick just seems stale at this point. Resigning Wright and Dickey may pacify some fans, but it will be the players brought in around them that will inspire the imaginations of the masses. They don’t have to be nine-figure players, but the Ronnie Cedenos of the world just aren’t going to get it done.
I’m bored Sandy Alderson. Give me a reason to get excited, a reason to look forward to the future, hell.. give me a reason to come to the ballpark. Show fans that this organization is still interested in winning. Enough with the stopgaps. Lets build something worth the our time..and our money.
Follow me on Twitter at @RobPatterson83
