7/30/15

The Morning Report 7.30.2015 | What the Heck Happened Last Night? Review, Analysis, and Fall-Out. Mack's Mets Injury Report

Also at Mack's Mets:



Carlos Gomez Trade | Christopher Soto - Let's slowly recap what the heck happened last night.


  • Review
    • Yesterday before the start of the game, the Mets and the Brewers agreed on a deal that would send CF Carlos Gomez to NY in exchange for SP Zack Wheeler and IF Wilmer Flores. The deal was agreed upon pending physicals and the Brewers even informed Carlos Gomez that as soon as the team's flight landed in Milwaukee, he would be connecting to NY. During the game, Team Doctors on the Mets staff became alarmed about a potentially significant hip issue that was on Carlos Gomez's medical report. The medical team reported back to Sandy Alderson who then proceeded to pull the offer from the table.
  • Analysis
    • For the Mets, when healthy, Carlos Gomez is one of, if not, the top offensive/defensive combination CF in baseball. Over the past 3 seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, he has average a .276 AVG, .815 OPS with 22 HR and 37 SB per season. This kind of production combined with his defense would be worth +5.5 Wins Above Replacement per season. Carlos Gomez is also signed for 2016 as well.
    • For the Brewers, Zack Wheeler is a tremendously high upside arm that is recovering from surgeries to repair his UCL tear and a flexor tendon tear. Currently he is not expected to return to the mound until late June of 2016. Of the Mets big pitching prospects, Wheeler turned out to be the most inefficient one of the bunch as he regularly had trouble getting out of the 5th inning before throwing 100 pitches. It is reasonable to believe that Wheeler will not return to 100% form until 2017 which gives the Brewers 3 years of control. If Wheeler returns to his usual self he returns an average of +2.5 WAR per season. Wilmer Flores would serve as the Brewers new 3B where his defensive abilities would play up . So far this season Flores has been worth +1.1 WAR and could reasonably finish at +2.0 WAR. He would come with the same amount of control as Wheeler.
    • In total the Mets would received a forecasted +7.0 future WAR of value from Gomez while the Brewers would receive +15.5 WAR from the combination of Wheeler and Flores. On paper the Brewers would win the deal, however, the Mets would receive the bulk of their value up front while the Brewers would be waiting till 2017 really start receiving the benefit. You could conceivably argue that if Gomez were extended through the 2019 season (when Wheeler and Flores become free agent) the WAR value would be around +19.0 for Gomez thus making the Mets the winners of the deal. In the grand scheme of things......this would have been a very fair trade for both sides.
  • Fall-Out
    • 1st.... The bridge is burned with the Milwaukee Brewers. That means no Gomez and no Gerardo Parra either.
    • 2nd....This sets the markets for OFs with an additional year of control. Looks for the Mets to revisit Jay Bruce and Josh Reddick.
    • 3rd.....With news that it was Gomez's medicals that didn't check out....not Wheeler....other teams could now be interested in Wheeler as a trade piece. Perhaps the Rockies would be interested in Wheeler plus prospects in an exchange for Charlie Blackmon.

Mack's Mets Injury Report
  • It is with great regret and disappointment that I would like to officially announce that Mack's Mets will be placing me on the 15 Day DL. After multiple medical reviews, it has been determined that I have sustained a Rotator Cuff Tear as well as a Labrum Tear in my right shoulder. I will be going under the knife on August 5th to get the tears repaired and will be unable to maintain the website for the next 3-4 weeks as I will be immobilized. Mack Ade will be returning starting August 3rd to provide coverage while I am away.

79 comments:

Reese Kaplan said...

While everyone was going nuts last night about the trade and Wilmer Flores, I calmly pointed out that had it been consummated the Mets would have been obligated to take Flores out of the game immediately. Since they did not, it mean the i's had not been dotted nor the t's crossed. As it turns out, the medical situation (depending on whose side you believe) nixed the deal.

In fact, I'm in the rare position of defending Terry Collins who had no reason to take a player on his team out of the game until/unless a trade was made. Now you could get on him for not being social media aware, but he did nothing wrong. It was the media and fans who jumped the gun based upon reports starting with Joel Sherman who has quite a lot of unborn chicken on his face.

David L. Whitman said...

This whole scenario and the eventual outcome could only come from one team. It's bizarre and surreal, but that's how life is in the Metsieverse. It wouldn't surprise me that Collins really didn't know about the trade because it wasn't completed or was told not to do anything because nothing was official and there were still medicals to review. Clueless managers, crying players, traded player taking gbye selfie, trade made and then cancelled, Boras, conflicting views on medicals, late night presser announcing trade was off...this trade/non-trade of Wheeler and Flores had a little bit of everything.

Kevin S said...

You're right D Whit. This type of thing only happens with this team. Classic Mets. It's such a shame because Gomez is the perfect fit for this team. A corner OF would result in the demotion of Conforto, which may not be the end of the world, but it still means we have Kirk and an unproductive Lagares in CF which isn't ideal.

Went to bed feeling super excited for Washington this weekend and woke to a swift kick to the nuts.

Ernest Dove said...

Hey Soto, let us know when you will start long toss program in st lucie. I can watch you LIVE and provide instant analysis at that time ;)

bgreg98180 said...

1st and most important:
Well wishes to you for a speedy recovery. Your daily contributions will be missed.

Moving on....
This really is a tough one. Good, sound, logical arguments can be made to justify backing out of the deal, on the Mets part, and to go ahead with the trade even with the hip issue.

Regardless of justification though, for the Mets organization, expectations of improvement have overwhelmed a fan base and home town media.

A following that has been starved of excitement and payoff of hope has glimpsed what could be. What they have been desperate for from the Mets organization.

If Alderson is not able to acquire an equivalent or better upgrade for this season, things could get very, very ugly.
Imagine how much uglier it might even get this year if Gomez ' s performance begins to raise in the 2nd half.

This is a tough spot for Alderson and the organization.

JHernandez620 said...

I wouldn't be surprised the trade was leaked by the Brewers. Trying to put a rush on the Mets to seal the deal knowing very well Gomez is hurt.

JHernandez620 said...

I wouldn't be surprised the trade was leaked by the Brewers. Trying to put a rush on the Mets to seal the deal knowing very well Gomez is hurt.

Michael S. said...

If the Brewers go on and deal Gomez to a playoff team that he helps Sandy will never hear the end of it from the media.

Michael S. said...

Agreed, they told Carlos he was gone and it seemed like they couldn't wait to get it done even before it was finalized.

Tom Brennan said...

Feel better soon, Chris. You'll be back to topping out at 95 before you know it.

Lost in the sauce is a three homer Duda night...only in Bizarro Land does such a thing happen on the same night as the Great Trade That Almost Was, and a mere day after PED DAY ((PED AS IN PRETTY ASININE DUMMY).

Let's hope they do something worthwhile today or tomorrow.

Michael S. said...

One thing is sure, Sandy won't be dealing with Milwaukee anytime soon.

Robb said...

Dont be so surprised if the Mets and the brewers do continue work on something together. People have very short memories if they want something you have. And its really no the mets fault that a non completed trade was leaked. Boras on the other hand, crap, he's gonna hold a grudge.

That being said the whole thing was an unmitigated disaster. How collins is the only person in that stadium who doesnt know whats going on is beyond me. either no one likes him or he's just daffy.

Watching it I felt terrible for the kid. what an awful moment to have to experience over and over in front of millions after sportcenter highlights have seen in.

At least now we know which mets starter is available in a trade.

Sal Paradise said...

Hilarious how some here still want Gomez.

Hilarious how the Mets are somehow inept for doing their homework.

His numbers are down—apparently there was a reason for that!

No perspective.

bgreg98180 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bgreg98180 said...

Sal,
What better alternative do you suggest that would have such a limited impact on what it would cost the organization?

Mack Ade said...

All -

The relationship between the Mets and Brewers might not be hurt here.

My research says that it was Scott Boras that didn't reveal the extent of this injury at this point. Milwaukee may not have been up to speed on the Gomez situation.

Michael S. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bgreg98180 said...

What am I reading as reported now?
That there "might" be a financial component to this Gomez non-trade mess?
Mets wanted Brewers to take Lagares (and his contract) back 
Or compensation pick and/or $$$
As compensation for the hip?

Well, true or not, justified or not, after the cheap decisions the organization has made over the past few years........ this can spin in a really bad way if the reports gain traction.

Michael S. said...

As always thanks for the insight Mack.

Zozo said...

Yup they just said on MLB network that there was some financial crap in the Mets part that nixed this deal. #SOSMets

Sal Paradise said...

Thank you for asking, Bob.

I don't consider the loss of Wheeler "limited impact." I sincerely hope this site is still around in three years. I'd love to comment then.

I also don't consider trading for a diminished and injured player "limited impact."

… And I have no idea how you do.

And to answer your question, you wouldn't have to look far. Shockingly enough, he plays on the same team, isn't injured, is having a better season than Gomez, and wouldn't cost Wheeler. His name—yes, you guessed it!—is Parra.

Michael S. said...

Overpaying for a player having a career year in a walk year is poor asset management. Don't think you'll be getting Parra for cheap.

The book on Wheeler is unknowable at this point and I doubt you'll find anyone who is truly upset at the deal being cancelled solely due to Gomez's health.

bgreg98180 said...

Ok.
According to the Journal Sentinel sports (Milwaukee news) a source with knowledge of both sides of the negotiations set the following series of events.

1) initial talks had Mets wanting the Brewers to take Lagares back as part of the trade. Brewers said no because of Lagares ' s elbow and his contract.

2) the teams agreed on Flores instead. At this point the Mets wanted the Brewers to include the 2016 competitive balance pick they were recently awarded. Brewers said no.

3) Mets then wanted the Brewers to put in $$ toward Gomez's contract. Brewers said no.

4) it was not until this point that the Mets came back saying they were calling off the trade because of Gomez's medical reports.

This still does not fill in at what point the Mets Doctors would have reviewed the medical reports during this timeline.
Makes a big difference depending at which point.

Sal Paradise said...

Micheal,

Just because my opinion is different than yours doesn't mean I'm looking for an argument. Idk where exactly I offended you but I apologize for doing so. Feel free to comment back. Or don't. Whatever. But in the meantime, please don't say anything so false as to imply that I'm a troll. I am not. Merely a concerned citizen who lives on the outskirts of Panic City.

Sal Paradise said...

*Michael

bgreg98180 said...

Sal
I think you might be focusing too much on the narrow focus of your teams player's positive potential while only the negative potential of the other player.
I understand an argument for dropping out of the trade.
It has merit. It does.
There are arguments that have/had merit to complete the trade as well.
They have merit too.
Perspective is limited if you only look to reinforce what you want to think

Michael S. said...

I appreciate this post, the tone is much different than your posts in the Gomez thread. You basically called anyone who disagrees with you a delusion moron. I'd prefer to be civil here, we all have different opinions and I enjoy discussing other points of view. I get the opportunity to share my thoughts and learn at the same time.
I accept your apology and offer my own in return.

Kevin S said...

It's crazy that there is a legit argument that Parra is a better player than Gomez here. Parra is in the middle of a career year. His numbers are 20% better across the board which is crazy. He's never been more than an average bat while generally providing pretty good defense. Serviceable player but not a superstar. This year he's putting up superstar numbers. He was a gold glover in 2011 as a LF (2 games in CF that year). He was a gold glover in 2013 as a RF (33 games in CF that year with about average D). He's played 30 games in CF this year and has been slightly below average.

Gomez by far has a much better track record. His numbers this year are on par with his 2012 season where he finished with a 2.3 WAR.

I don't even know why I'm responding to this. That's like saying that Jay Bruce and Joey Votto are diminished players since they had pretty down years last year. Well guess what, they rebounded nicely this year back to their career norms.

Sal Paradise said...

Michael, thank you for engaging.

Idk whether you'd have to overpay for Parra. And neither do you.

But e.g. I'd rather give up Gsellman for Parra than Wheeler and Flores for Gomez, especially an injured one.


For reasons previously stated: "… isn't injured, is having a better season than Gomez, and wouldn't cost Wheeler."

He's having a career year, yes. If he regresses you'd have to think he'll wait until 2016 to do so. By which time he'll have signed with a team who's overpaid for him, i.e., not us.

Again, thank you for engaging.

Tom Brennan said...

Bob, that series of negotiating points sounds like they should have done the deal.

bgreg98180 said...

I think I might be even more upset that now bridges for Braun are probably destroyed, burnt, and the land salted.

Mack Ade said...

I talked to someone in Milwaukee and I'll have my spin on the non-trade tomorrow morning in my Morning Report

Michael S. said...

My pleasure, this is much more pleasant, no?

With Parra, given his performance this year, I believe (and it is just my opinion) that there will be competition from other teams and that the Brewers would attempt to exploit the Mets' desperation for offense. If he were to only cost Gsellman then the deal is a no brainer.
Long-term I think we need two OF and I don't want to use any of our valuable assets on short term solutions. We're going to need them to upgrade in the offseason.
Gomez was never a top choice for me, but losing Flores doesn't hurt and I have serious concerns about when/if Wheeler can get back on track. With the depth of pitching we have, I'd trade him for one of the two hitters we need. If we were getting the Gomez we thought we were AND could have him long term I was okay with the deal. Since we're not, I'm not the least bit sad.
What I really want is/are a player/players that can help now and be with the team going forward. Here's hoping Sandy can help the Mets get into the playoffs this year and still be able to position them for a greater leap forward next year.

Michael S. said...

I had the same exact thought. I hope we're wrong. The Brewers like Wheeler, Flores, and Herrera to start. Adding a couple of pieces could have possibly landed him with the Brewers rebuilding again. There aren't many bats that could be available and be difference makers.

Michael S. said...

Much appreciated. Without all the details, my only question for now (if you can answer it) is whether or not the Mets-Brewers relationship is ruined at this point?

Ernest Dove said...

...........im so glad im a Mets fan.........I wouldn't have it any other way........
I bet they win division this year. ...just because.....

Michael S. said...

Terry gets a pass for not initially taking Flores out if he had no clue. But, if he knew 'something' was up and the kid was obviously too upset to play he shouldn't have run him out there. I'm glad he protected him in the end.

Michael S. said...

Sal -

Now there are reports about money being a factor as well. This is what I meant when I said it was fishy. SA had to know about Gomez's potential injury and the medical issue becomes a convenient excuse once the money is the problem - which it always is.

I am and continue to be a SA supporter but I don't doubt that money played a part here. The full truth won't ever be known and there will be a lot of finger pointing.

Mack Ade said...

Michael -

Don't blame TC for this one. There was no loop for him to even be in.

Two teams agreed on the players pending physicals. That's all. The deal still wasn't done but someone screwed the pooch and alerted someone outside the inner circle... it hit Twitter and off it ran

You don't take a player out of a game during a pennant race unless you are told by your boss that the player was traded.

bgreg98180 said...

Mack
I agree TC had no fault in this. He had no knowledge of anything going on.
However,
Whether the deal was official or not. Once the names were agreed to in principle, there should have been a priority placed on getting Flores out of the lineup by the front office.

The time frame that priority translates as, I don't know.
I would imagine 30 mins should be a reasonable expectation.
So.... I wonder now, was it during this reasonable time frame that the deal fell apart?

Mack Ade said...

Bob -

As I said, the deal wasn't done so there was no reason for SA to call down to TC. The players might have been agreed to but there wasn't a deal yet.

I'll further explain tomorrow

Michael S. said...

That's fair Mack, but the game was all but over at 7-2 at that point. The Mets didn't need Flores and could've easily slid Uribe in, couldn't they?

Like I said, I'm glad Terry protected him in the end, this whole situation was a clown show.

Steve from Norfolk said...

According to MLBTR (who's reporting is usually good), the money came in after the medicals. Originally, the Brewers weren't kicking in any money to help cover next year's salary. When the Mets saw the medical reports, they were still willing to take Gomez, but they wanted the Brewers to kick in some money to help cover next year's salary in case Gomez didn't play up to his usual standards. The Brewers refused. At this time SA nixed the deal. This at least explains why the money came into the deal so late.

bgreg98180 said...

I'm guessing it was pretty close to the order of events reported.
The sources have been around other negotiations that have never had to worry about similar financial concerns, so in their mind everything was done.
The sources probably could never conceive of the deal not going through even with the medical reports being what they were.

Michael S. said...

I'm a little disappointed that the Mets are shunning Upton because of his rental status (as well as Cespedes and I'm assuming Parra too). If he doesn't cost much, he can help this year and either be re-signed or net a draft pick.

Michael S. said...

So it seems that the Mets are targeting two specific players and Cespedes is not one of them. I wonder if they want to acquire both or just one. It appears they aren't taking rentals either. That boils down to Reddick and Bruce it seems unless I'm forgetting someone.

Michael S. said...

It also says they're looking at a CF but I can't think of one that isn't a rental.

Steve from Norfolk said...

They still prefer a CF(because of Lagares' injury), and they want someone under contract past this year.

Steve from Norfolk said...

Chris,

On another note, my sincere best wishes on the outcome of your surgeries. You've done an excellent job here, and although I'll enjoy Mack's columns, I will miss yours too. I envy you your knowledge of the sport, and will look forward to seeing your byline again.

Steve from Norfolk said...

Metsblog reports the Blue Jays have some interest in Niese. The Mets have previously been interested in Kevin Pillar. Do they have time to turn this casual flirtation into a deal? Stay tuned!

Reese Kaplan said...

Centerfielders who are not rentals and may or may not be obtainable:

Ben Revere
Charlie Blackmon
Cameron Maybin
Randal Grichuk (tough now that they have injuries in St. Louis)
A.J. Pollock (would take a LOT to pry him from Arizona)

Interesting dark horse name:

Marcell Ozuna

He fell off this year after smacking 23 HRs this year but in AAA in short order he's hitting .353 with 4 HRs and he's got a cannon of an arm. He might be a very interesting player to try to get.

Anonymous said...

I don't think you make that trade. Niese for Pillar. I don't think that is an upgrade to Lagares even an injured Lagares. Niese is pitching fairly good. Colon is not. They need Niese with all the inning limits on other pitchers. They could work the rotation without Neise but they need to get something that could actually help them in return for Niese.
Richard Jones

Reese Kaplan said...

correction -- 23 HRs last year for the Marlins.

Also, on Pillar, I think the Blue Jays may still be smarting a bit from Travis d'Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard and Wuilmer Becerra considering how average the expensive R.A. Dickey has been.

bgreg98180 said...

Tick.tick.tick.
Entering into the last 24 hours.
Expectations are all over the place at this point.
Have to admit, Alderson certainly has found a way to add some excitement/drama to the trade deadline.

bgreg98180 said...

I know people have faith that Alderson will not make a bad deal.
But
How.many people have faith he will make the right deal(s) to make a run at the division title?

Reese Kaplan said...

I have faith the "Well, we tried" press conference is coming Friday evening, along with the proclamation that the return of Travis d'Arnaud and David Wright are the same as acquiring two new bats.

Michael S. said...

How much does Grichuk play CF? I thought he was a corner OF? If he can play CF he'd be my main target. I'd go after him and Reddick, set us up for a run this year AND be ready to rock going forward.

Michael S. said...

Just looked him up on baseball reference, he's played a decent amount in CF. I don't know his metrics but he'd be my top target.

Michael S. said...

Pollock would also be an amazing get but you're talking Wheeler, Nimmo, + probably if they'd even move him.

bgreg98180 said...

Well it looks like my fear was correct. Melvin confirmed there will be no trading between the Brewers and the Mets before the trade deadline.
Did he say "or ever again as long as Alderson is there" under his breath??

Mack Ade said...

I would venture to guess that no one wants to talk to Alderson anymore this weekend after his antics with Milwaukee.

bgreg98180 said...

Mack
If that's the case, he has to go before this winter.

Michael S. said...

I agree, if he's ruined his rep and can't make deals it's over. Once no one trusts him he's gotta go.

Michael S. said...

I can't help but place this on the Wilpon's. They are and always have been the problem. We have the worst owners in sports. I don't blame Tulo for not wanting to come here.

Hey Fred and Jeffy, you're not wanted. Seek life elsewhere.

Steve from Norfolk said...

Try getting someone decent thru waivers.I can think of two teams who would make a claim just to screw us over - Brewers and Nats.

bgreg98180 said...

This week could see Alderson going from the "King of New York "
To
The "Jester of Queens "

Mack Ade said...

Bob, Michael-

The Wilpons are like Donald Trump. They don't care about tarnished reputations.

Stubby said...

You guys are amazing. Let's say the deal goes through and, 2 weeks from now, Gomez is out with a hip injury that requires surgery and keeps him out of action through all of 2016. You wouldn't blame Alderson and the Wilpons for making a deal for damaged goods and not doing their due dilligence. No, of course not. No. Never. (As Jim Gosger would say, "Yeah, suuuurree.")

The Wilpons own the team, folks. You can blame them for whatever you want. Heck, blame them for ISIS. Blame them for Benghazi. Blame them for high unemployment. They aren't leaving. Fact is, Alderson did his job. Yeah, it turned out rather bizarre. That's not his fault and its not the fault of the Wilpons, either. Yelling at the Wilpons isn't going to change anything. It isn't going to cause them to sell or to deal. Boycotting them isn;t going to change anything either. I could even see that as a financial plus for the Wilpons. It is what it is.

I'm a Mets fan. I support the team. Always. Not seeing much of the same from others.

Anonymous said...

Looks like Gomez is going to Houston. Houston is also getting Fiers. The Brewers are getting 4 prospects. Fiers I would compare to Niese. I wouldn't trade Niese, Flores, and Wheeler for the 4 prospects the Brewers are getting back. Phillips, Santana, Houser, and Hader. If I had to pick 4 Mets prospects that would be equal I would say Herrera, Nimmo, Ynoa, and Gsellman. I think the last 3 in each group are very close. Herrera is the closest I could come up with for Phillips. They play different positions and are different type of players.
Richard Jones

Robb said...

The mets deal for gomez was a better deal. No wonder they were so eager to tell their players. Wheeler is better even with the injury then any of the guys they got back long term. Not that flores shouldnt have been pulled last night, but you dont tell players a trade is done until its actually done. and i liked the deal for gomez.

its gotten to the point, especially after that terrible loss today, where i dont want them to do anything, id rather not make a move then a bad one. and at the moment none of the players are really good fits for the long term.

I really thought Flores would start at 2b today so that TC would show him that the mets still wanted him. i cant wait to have a new manager.



Michael S. said...

This is ridiculous. We can still cheer on the Mets and hate the owners. This is one isolated incident you're focusing on but it's right up the Wilpon's alley to cheap out for any possible reason. You're acting as if they're unimpeachable and always prudent with their oversight of baseball moves. Anyone who has been watching the team for more than a few months understands the depths of the problems this team has at the top.

No, I'm not getting over it. I'm going to continue my semi-boycott of the team until they're gone. I'll follow the team as much as possible and spend as little money as possible because I'm not actively putting money in their pockets. Passively? I have no choice with sponsorships, TV deals, etc. But the Wilpon's have earned their reputation and our skepticism at every single thing they do.

Get off your high horse.

bgreg98180 said...

But,
Alderson should care about his reputation.

bgreg98180 said...

Being a fan does not mean you cheer and support everything no matter what.
Being a fan means that you want the best for the team and it's players.

Mack Ade said...

The Dodgers have already DFA'd OF Michael Morse.

bgreg98180 said...

Please keep in mind, this is one of the years that the Mets have 4 of their young pitchers together.
It can not be assumed that they will be together for many years.
This year could at the very least provide them with playoff type experience, even if it is just a fight to get into the playoffs.
Additionally in order to improve the offense during the time these pitchers are together, free agents or trade targets will need to be added. Players will continue to avoid the Mets, like Tulo, until the organization leaders prove they are committed to winning. Other gms will need to feel comfortable dealing with the Mets gm.
There is a big picture here. Filled with many connecting causes and effects that depend on changes being made to the normal operating procedures that have been guiding the Met franchise.
If changes are not made, limited successes will be the most that can be hoped for.
For example: Hurray!! The Mets have the best starting pitching staff in the mlb
BUT...... they still do not make the playoffs.

David L. Whitman said...

What I believe happened was that the news media announced the trade after it was agreed upon verbally by SA and Melvin. SA went back to the Wilpons who balked because of $$$ (being a 3rd world MLB franchise and all) Alderson went back to Melvin with new wrinkle to the deal and was told no way. At the point the deal was effectively dead. As for TC, I'm beginning to wonder if he even writes the line-up cards. There's no way a manager should be that out of the loop about even the possibility of an impending trade.

Stubby said...

"You're acting as if they're unimpeachable and always prudent with their oversight of baseball moves. "

No, I'm acting as though the ownership of the Mets is beyond my control. Which it is. Nothing you or I say or do is going to have the slightest effect on the ownership of the Mets. Not even if every Mets fan of the face of the Earth banded together in protest. Scream to the high heavens, withhold your support. All you're doing is upsetting yourself. Hey, if you get off on self-immolation, be my guest. It isn't going to hurt the Wilpons. Just you.

Are you familiar with the Serenity Prayer? Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. You can not change the ownership of the Mets. The only thing you can control is your reaction to it. Apparently, Mets fans would prefer to be miserable and angry, to their own discomfort. OK. But that's on you, not them.

What troubles me most is the instant assumption that the trade fell apart because the Wilpons are cheap. I have read conspiracy theories about what went down and, I have to tell you, to a sane person, they sound loony. But everybody is willing to go there because of the bile they feel towards the Wilpons.

The conspiracy theories may fit what you see as the character and MO of the Wilpons, but they don't fit the facts. The simplest explanation is usually the most likely. I think Steve from Norfolk (relaying info from MLBTR) had it right upthread: the money came into play AFTER the physicals. So which GM is the one negotiating in bad faith? Is it Melvin, who didn't give you the full story on an injury or Alderson, who tried to renegotiate once he learned of the issue? Ever buy a house? There's always things wrong with it they didn't tell you about. What do you do with that information? You negotiate a lower price. If they won't budge, you walk away. And Sandy's not a neophyte. He understands the importance of his credibility with other GMs. There's no way he goes back to the table to re-negotiate if its about the money. Even if the Wilpons told him to, he wouldn't do that. The Wilpons, being interested in the aggregate, would, at the end of the day, tell Sandy to "make it work"...IF it was about the money. They aren't baseball people and they know it. You drop this guy or trade that guy or release whomever until the bottom line matches up. Whether that means giving Daniel Murphy away for a low level prospect or releasing Dillon Gee or whatever. However it looks to the fan base, that's what a veteran GM like Sandy would do because his word to another GM is far too important.

Bottom line, I wasn't there, but neither were you. And every single individual (from either side) who weighs in on what happened has an agenda of their own.

PS--I think its impossible to declare the Wilpons the "worst owners in sports" so long as Jeffrey Loria walks the Earth.

All I know is that this is the deepest into a season we've been in legitimate contention for the post-season since 2008. Me, I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. Even the bad ones. Even the bizarre ones.

Steve from Norfolk said...

Stubby,

From what I read, Boras held back medical info until the last minute. He had MRI reports even more recent than the team did.

Steve from Norfolk said...

I notice Mack says the same thing upthread.