Jeff Wilpon addressed the media about the Mets plans for 2014 and has some pretty interesting things to say. After reading each comment, the lunacy that came out of his mouth should be seen as very distressing to Mets fans.
His first comment is true. There is a glut at first base, albeit a very untalented one. Yet, this was the reason that Jose Abreu wasn't pursued? We simply have too many subpar players at one position that the Mets don't feel the need to add one more, even if they know at least one will be traded off in the near future. Just because you have a number of players that could play the position doesn't mean that it is an embarrassment of riches. It really is just an embarrassment. Anyone who manned first base for this team last year can be replaced and a prospective player like Jose Abreu is an upgrade, even if you put all five players together to form the first base version of Voltron. Thanks, Jeff Wilpon. You're an idiot.
The next great line he throws out is that the organization only feels solid about four of the 25 roster spots on this team. Read that again. Four players. Jonathon Niese, David Wright, Dillon Gee and Zach Wheeler. But, where are the five first basemen that you just praised over a potential star? Forgot about them already? Sweet. He doesn't name players who will seem to be very important to next year, like Travis d'Arnaud, Bobby Parnell or even Daniel Murphy. Sure none of those guys are world beaters right now, but could he maybe show a little more confidence in the way this team has been put together? What team other than maybe the Houston Astros feels good about just 16% or less of their team? I'm all for the idea of competition at every position and evaluating, but why should we feel good about the process if everything we have done produces a team that isn't confident about over 4/5 of the roster?
I realize that the offseason is slow and Jeff Wilpon was caught at an event and answered random questions, but man was this discomforting to hear. This is supposed to be a year of more comfort where the plan would be to improve on a brighter future rather than dancing in the dust bowl of losing and despair. Comments like these made my Jeff Wilpon bring visions of the latter rather than the former. Always fun to start the offseason on a low note, I guess.
What do you think of these comments and the state of the Mets as they stand now?
18 comments:
I think it's way too early to judge the off season that's hardly started yet no matter why he says about their plans moving forward.
I actually like that they keep saying they have no restrictions financially. It makes them accountable to us later on if they do nothing to improve the team. They don't spend, we don't spend.
I mean, not going to the games is one thing, but now fans won't even watch the games. That needs to change and it only will when the team is made so much better that it's plainly obvious by looking at the roster. There can't be numerous question marks.
I had a boss like this when I was a General Manager in Dallas. Everytime I was making progress with my peers, he would come to town and piss off the entire professional community.
I don’t understand the motivation Mr. Wilpon has at this point before the Hot Stove season has begun. You go out of your way to say your team has only four decent players (thanks loads to the rest of you guys) and you keep saying you’re going to solve this. Oh yeah, make sure you tell the reporters how smart your General Manager is so the rest of the GMs can read about it before any negotiations starts.
Luckily for Alderson, Sports is used to loud mouth owners, but we’re already off to a bad start before a critical Hot Stove season.
I don't think Jeff Wilpon is calling the shots on the makeup of the team. I think it's Sandy Alderson's decision to not sign Abreu.
And I agree with it! Look, you can't have a high-priced player at every single position. You have to have a one or two moderately-priced players that you hope can deliver. Ike Davis is perfect for one of those spots. 30HR, 90RBI at the Major League level. A very good defensive First Baseman.
I'll take my chances with Ike if we can get a significant upgrade in the outfield (RF and LF) and shortstop.
Barry, I too think that the best of Ike is still to come and, because of that, I hope the Mets give him another shot (through the 2014 all-star break).
Either Justin Turner or Josh Satin can back him up while also playing utility infield... and (IMO) I'd deal off Duda of PTBNL based on Duda's performance on the next team in 2014.
Jeff Wilpon doesn't seem to know much at all....no surprise there.
As long as the mets upgrade the corner OF spots and SS, I think having Ike at first is a big plus.
Think about it. Ike has been counted in to be the slugging clean up hitter with basically zero protection behind him. If they get some quality bats, it can relax him a little.
My worry is that they upgrade the roster and trade him away, leaving Duda to man first. That'll be a disaster. Lucas isn't a ML everyday player. You need a walk with the bases loaded to win the game? He's your guy, but that's all.
Mack and Charley,
I agree with everything you added.
It seems like a no-brainer to take a flyer on Ike Davis.
But a couple of days ago, I was listening to WFAN and heard Ed Coleman (he was hosting) say that he has gotten word that the decision has been made to give 1B to Lucas Duda!!!
I was floored. Has anyone heard any comments about this?
Barry:
No, I haven't heard that and, trust me, only David Wright is currently guaranteed a position right now.
I have to disagree on this one. You need your first basemen to produce. I'm critical of players like Dunn and from the past, ex met, Dave Kingman. Out machines. You only get 27 outs. Having a first basemen that is just an automatic out doesn't work. At least Dunn and Kingman hit 30+ homers. Davis has been worse than worthless for two years now. I was for giving him a second chance after 2012 but I don't think you can just keep giving him more time.
Release him and move on.
Remember Richard...
Every harsh step you take sends signals to the rest of the team and players in the league looking for new homes.
It's tough enough to find someone that wants to play for this team. Why invent another reason like cut and run on someone that was one of your faces a year ago?
Wow! Matt, don't hold back. Tell us how you REALLY feel about Jeff.
Mack, I agree with you 100%. As a player limited solely to 1B, and one who is regarded as a bat only 1B, Abreu is not a player we should have chased. He really is far better suited to an AL team like the White Sox. I believe Jeff's statement is confirmation that Ike is going to get a chance to redeem himself. Satin will probably get time there too, at least when a lefty is on the mound. If Ike has another first half disaster, he is probably toast at the deadline. Allan Dykstra is lurking in the weeds.
More importantly, Jeff's comment here is taken out of context. He specifically said that if Abreu was a corner outfielder, the Mets would have probably offerred him a contract. To me, that is encouraging. It seems to indicate that ownership is committed to spending this off season, and may not be limited to one or two year contracts. Also, the fact that he said "There's probably a glut of first basemen... something's got to happen there with the logjam." indicates that one or more of the glut will definitely be traded. I expect (or at least hope) that it will be Duda and Turner. If Ike does get traded, they need to bring back a legit 1B.
Herb -
And I agree with you.
I expect both Turner and Duda to be traded, either as part of a trade package for a corner OFer, SP5, or SS... or as a PTBNL based on their 2014 stats for the new team.
Ike gets until the all-star break.
Dykstra and/or Eric Campbell could hold the 2014 fort down pending a mid-season trade for a new 1Bman through 2017
It's not being harsh Harsh would have been letting him go after 2012. If I don't produce at my job I would get fired. Why should it be different for a MLB player making 125X what the average person makes. He has hit below .220 over a 2 year period. He is causing the Mets to lose games. Losing games is not going to attract players either. What will attract players is putting a competitive team on the field. A good place to start would be by getting a first basemen and corner outfielders that produce.
How long is long enough to put up with a sub .220 hitting first basemen?
If MLB was fair. Wilpon would be forced to sell and banned from baseball. I don't understand how an owner ruin a franchise through unethical business dealings and remain in baseball and Pete Rose is banned for life. Doesn't make sense.
Its kind of a parallel to Joe Jackson being banned for life and a **** *** *** like Comiskey being in the Hall of Fame. I guess Wilpon is Hall of Fame material.
Loria would have to go first.
If MLB was fair, there would be a salary cap and teams would not be allowed to have $200 million plus payrolls while others have to live with $50 million.
If MLB was fair there would be no outrageously bad calls by umps and all close plays would be reviewed.
If MLB was fair, there would be a separate wing of the HOF for players who committed sins but who were nonetheless obviously great players.
But Wilpon would never be forced to sell because he committed no egregious sin. Poor judgement is not a sin. There have been many many teams with long term losing records, and their owners were never forced out by MLB. Met fans need to grow up and face the facts that we have had a loosing franchise, not by design, but by bad decisions and lack of resources.
He did. They just couldn't prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Like O.J.. He murdered and the juriors felt that way. Just could prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Baseball doesn't need the same level of proof. They have shown that many times. They have more on Wilpon than anyone they ever kicked out of baseball.
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