Omar Minaya did a terrible job of trying to improve the Mets this past off-season. I think we would all agree that he did a spectacular job in 2005 and 2006, but he has failed miserably in 2007. This was supposed to be the season we won it all. The team’s slogan "Your Season has Come" implies that the Mets will win the World Series. This team is clearly not a better team than the one that thrilled us in 2006. This is not what Mets fans signed on for.
Much of the blame for this debacle rests with Omar Minaya. Most, if not all of his off-season moves were bad and weakened the team significantly. Here is a recap of those moves.
The Trades
November 15, 2006 – Heath Bell and Royce Ring traded to San Diego for Jon Adkins and Ben Johnson.
The Aftermath – Both Bell and Ring were Baseball America’s Top 10 prospects for the Mets. Johnson and Adkins are now squandering in the minors, while Heath Bell dominates the league with a 1.48 ERA and only 28 hits allowed in 48 innings pitched, with a whopping 51 strikeouts. Royce Ring currently sports a 1.13 ERA and along with Bell are part of the best bullpen in the major leagues.
November 20, 2006 – Jason Vargas acquired from Florida for Henry Owens & Matt Lindstrom.
The Aftermath – Vargas has a 12.19 ERA after two starts and is back in New Orleans now. Henry Owens, once the Mets’ number five prospect, is 2-0 with four saves and a 1.96 ERA in 22 appearances this season. Matt Lindtrom has lowered his ERA to 3.82 after a rough April and has been unscored upon in 9 of his last ten appearances. He has 31 strikeouts while allowing only 13 walks in 38 games.
November 27, 2006 – Moises Alou signed to a one year $8.5 million dollar contract with an option.
The Aftermath – Alou was supposed to be an upgrade to Cliff Floyd. Alou has appeared in only 30 games and is batting .318 with 2 homeruns and 13 RBI. He hasn’t played for the Mets in two months. Cliff Floyd has played in 70 games and is batting .298 with 4 home runs and 30 RBI after signing with the Cubs for $3 million dollars.
December 6, 2006 – Brian Bannister traded to Kansas City for Ambiorix Burgos.
The Aftermath – Bannister was recently named pitcher of the month for June and continues to improve and get better as a starting pitcher. The 26 year old is 5-5 for the last place Royals with a 3.71 ERA. Burgos is back in the minors for the second time this season, and has a respectable 3.42 ERA in 17 games with the big league team. He is now on the DL with elbow pain.
The Free Agent Signings
December 14, 2006 – Guillermo Mota signed a 2-year $5 million dollar contract
The Aftermath – Despite admitted steroid use he was signed for two years even though no other major league team was interested in him. He now has a 7.71 ERA in 16 appearances, and has allowed 30 base runners in 18 innings pitched.
January 9, 2007 – David Newhan signed a 1-year $575 thousand dollar contract.
The Aftermath – He has been optioned to AAA after hitting .200 in 41 games with 1 homerun and 4 RBI.
January 16, 2007 – Jorge Sosa signed a 1-year $1.25 million dollar contract.
The Aftermath – After a great start his ERA is now at 3.92 despite an impressive 7-3 record. He is currently on the disabled list.
January 25, 2007 – Scott Schoeneweis signed a 3-year $10.5 million dollar contract.
The Aftermath – The 34-year old had a 5.04 career ERA before signing his lucrative deal with the Mets. His current ERA is at a little above his career norm at 5.68 and he has allowed a whopping 57 base runners in 31 innings pitched.
February 15, 2007 – Chan Ho Park signed a 1-year $600 thousand dollar contract.
The Aftermath – He has already been released after one game and a 15.75 ERA in the majors, after he couldn’t get any batters out in the minor leagues..
Who We Let Walk
The Players – Chad Bradford, Darren Oliver, Cliff Floyd
The Aftermath – Bradford and Floyd have become big addition for their teams at a relatively lower cost than what the Mets paid to replace them. It would be unfair to say that Cliff Floyd would have been a healthier option for the Mets than Alou, but obviously Bradford would have been better than any of the new faces in the bullpen. He could have been signed for same $10 million they gave to Schoeneweis, and Bradford is 2 years younger.
Consider this a mid season report card for Omar Minaya. He is failing miserably, but his season is still not over. Many a student (or GM) have been able to transform a failing mid term grade into at least a "B" or in some cases even an "A".
We need Omar Minaya to get on the phone and make up for some of these past blunders. We need him to bear down and inject some new blood into a team that desperately needs an adrenaline boost. Aside from Reyes, Beltran, Wright, Perez and Maine, nobody is untouchable. Nobody…
Fix this team Omar…
Or take down that sign that reads "Our Season Has Come", because it really insults our intelligence.
