Q and A With Mack Ade: Financial Woes, Trading David, Wilmer, Cuts

Joyce asks:

Mack, you keep hinting that there are bigger financial problems with the Wilpon family, but you never seem to tell the whole story. Why is that?

Mack:

Hey Joyce, welcome back to the site.

Well, there’s a big difference between what somebody tells you and something you have multiple sources on and have confirmed the original stuff told to you. The last thing I would want is to say something I have no proof of. Suffice to say, the Wilpon family is broke, both personally and professionally. They’re trying to get down to around a $90mil payroll, which would be $50mil less than last season. According to what I’ve been told, there is some old debts that will come up soon and it doesn’t seem to be the greatest place to work these days. I’ll leave it there.

Frankie Conforti asks:

Are the Mets going to resign David Wright?

Mack:

Hey Frankie.

Well, you need to ask the same question to his agent.

Put it this way. Are the Mets going to be out of their financial problems around the all-star break next season, which would be the prime time to either sign or trade him?

Nothing against Sandy Alderson, but I don’t think he ever signed off on Wright. He wants the future New York Mets to be his legacy as he climbs the success ladder. Historians in the 22^nd century will point out how Alderson saves the Mets from themselves and, in turn, saves baseball, and all of humanity.

Probably Adam Rubin will break the story.

Joey D:

Mack, have they figured out where to play Wilmer Flores and Jenfry Marte yet?

Mack:

No, but there is action in both these categories.

Marte is down for the count, but passed the first litmus test, playing 1B as much as he played third. His BA at the time of the injury was .333.

Flores has had a harder time keeping his average up, though he did go 4-5 on Friday night… as a second baseman. He also has played his share of third base.

Look,  Flores is not a candidate for the outfield. He runs like Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump. Marte does have some defensive skills but would be best served as a first baseman.

The Mets could pull this off in Binghamton if they want to, Marte can play first, Flores moved to second, Robbie Shields, while Richard Lucas holds down third. Rylan Sandoval can spot SS, 2Bm and 3B while Francisco Pena can spot Marte.

It’s the Mets call.

Toby: Will there still be more cuts before ST?

Mack: Oh yeah, but there also will be more additions ( this was written 3 days ago).

Right now, there are about 12 too many outfielders in the system, and a billion too many pitchers.

This first thing that will happen is about 40 of these guys will go on the IR with various life threatening illnesses like hangnails, and headaches, A few more will be deactivated and start on a roster in limo, But there will be cuts and I choose not to speculate at this point.

Talent, or lack of production will be the third consideration. Over crowdedness at their position, age at level, and attitude will be factors.