On paper, the move to bring former general manager Omar Minaya back into the fold makes sense: He thrived in scouting players and evaluating talent, two things the Mets have lacked since he was dismissed after the 2010 season.
Him working with current general manager Sandy Alderson to help form a more well-rounded unit sounds grand, but this is the Mets, so of course there was drama that followed Minaya’s hiring on Friday.
In a tweet from Marc Carig of Newsday, he says that the words he has heard from Mets people regarding Fred Wilpon’s decision to bring back Minaya despite reservations within the current front office include “embarrassing,” “stupid,” “undermining,” and “insulting.”
The decision to bring Minaya back comes on the heels of the team re-upping Alderson’s contract just 48 hours prior.
“Look, Sandy was on board with me coming back,” Minaya said. “I have so much respect for Sandy, he wanted me back here. That’s where we turned the corner.
“To work with Sandy, John Ricco and J.P. (Ricciardi) is an honor.”
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reportedly texted Alderson to ask if he was content with the signing, to which the Mets GM replied “Yes.” However, Sherman adds the response felt like it was more along the lines of “What can I say?”
Minaya said Friday after the announcement of his new position that, “Great organizations take care of their alumni,” just one day after beloved Met Ed Kranepool said he felt ostracized by the Wilpon family.
While the former Mets general manager might be brimming with happiness to be in Queens again, there’s no avoiding the awkwardness the situation presents. And even if the move makes sense from a baseball standpoint, it’s become apparent how tone deaf ownership is and how dysfunctional this offseason has proven they still are.
As one MMO follower on Twitter kindly put it: It’s like your ex-wife moving in with you and your new wife.
There’s no doubt Minaya is a great baseball guy, but it’s never wise to bring in someone that angers your own people. The time to get on the same page is long overdue.
