It’s safe to say that while we all may be Mets fans to the core, there’s a part of us – our own dark sides if you will – that have had our collective fill of the 2010 New York Mets and want to see it all torn down, brick by brick, player by player, leaving no one safe from our wrath. Unfortunately all of that visceral, palpable fear of failure will do the New York Mets no bit of good if many of us had our way. And like good ole’ Master Yoda proclaimed,
Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate…hate leads to suffering….”
It also leads to billions in merchandising and the tearing down of our childhood fantasies when one mentions the name Jar Jar Binks, but that’s another story for another time – maybe another blog.
But seriously, the idea that seems to be permeating around Metdom is this idea of burning it all down. Let me be one who says it’s a load of banta poo doo (Rubbish for you non Star Wars geeks by the way).
The often mentioned “core” of the team, comprised of Jose Reyes, Johan Santana, Carlos Beltran and David Wright – that’s if you’re NOT talking to the sage Jeff Wilpon – are all within their “prime years” with the possible exception of Beltran who is perhaps at his career apex.
Like most players at their apex – who haven’t chanced fate with shrinking gonads by taking performance enhancing drugs – their best years are slowly passing them by.
While some have pondered the idea of trading David Wright – who is in his prime and could garner quite a bit in return – to me it’s like treating the H1N1 flu by rubbing your chest with Vicks.
In a article written by Wendy Adair of Mets Gazette, that such question is asked. As valid as it may be I have a pretty good feeling that whoever the next General Manager of the New York Mets may be, trading David Wright or even Jose Reyes, will be fairly low on the priority list.
It really makes no sense and reeks of biting off one’s nose to spite one’s face. Of the four members of the “core” the only player with the best chance of being traded would be Carlos Beltran – and the likelihood of that is as slim as seeing Jeff Wilpon putting on the Mr. Met costume next year.
It’s a slim chance but not completely impossible – ah trading Beltran that is; sorry I didn’t mean to get your hopes that far up. Personally I’ve enjoyed what Beltran has provided the Mets in his tenure- despite the drama and yes even the dreaded Wainwright at bat.
Unfortunately perception can sometimes become reality and Beltran for all his talent – isn’t immune from the ravenous New York press who over the years have dubbed the All-Star outfielder aloof and occasionally have questioned his desire.
Add to that his media battles with the Mets front office regarding his supposed unauthorized knee surgery, leads anyone to assume that this relationship may have seen it’s better days.
The best option that comes to my mind may be a trade with another franchise who’s equally two steps away from a TLC reality show – The Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are a team in transition since it’s owner, Frank McCourt is divorcing his wife Jamie – thus putting into play the value of the franchise and perhaps hamstringing the team from any expenditures in the near future. All that’s missing is a Ponzi scheme embezzler – oh wait – that brings us to our Mets.
If the itch to trade Beltran is as insufferable as the press and Mets front office have insinuated then this may be the one chance the Mets can get something for their investment that isn’t imagined in the mind of Mr. Madoff.
The Dodgers seem to have their own version of Carlos Beltran – their own convenient scape goat – and his name is Matt Kemp. Kemp is a 27 year old Gold Glove centerfielder. A career .285 hitter who averages around 22 HR, 83 RBI, 27SB, and a career .803 OPS. He’s signed through 2011, 2 yrs $10.95M and is arbitration eligible in 2012.
Definitely a young stud who at times this year has rubbed his GM Ned Colletti the wrong way with supposed moments of lackluster play. Whether those accusations true or not – it seems Kemp and Beltran both have drawn the ire of their respective front offices.
Beltran’s age and the fact that he’s coming off a knee injury are two obstacles in the way of trading him as is his incredible contract which will pay him $18.5M next year – the final year of his deal originally signed in 2005.
Can you see the Dodgers willing to trade Kemp to the Mets for Beltran? Of course the Mets would have to cough up some serious dough to balance out this deal. Are both teams REALLY at their wits end with both players or is this just two players on two very high profile teams in shark infested media outlets?
One thing I know is how tired I am of hearing the “thoughts” on trading Beltran. The Mets need to just do it already if that’s the case.
To quote our little green friend again,
Do…or do not…there is no try.
