Reese Kaplan -- Summertime Blues

The obvious topic for most folks today is to evaluate, opinionate, worship and condemn the many folks who have allegedly submitted bids to purchase the New York Mets and its corresponding $90 million of annual debt.  Part of the decision to do so might be simply the ego reinforcement of owning a professional sports franchise.  Another part would be the desire to convert the team into a winning one that actually does compete for the post-season.  Then there’s the corporate model in which the desire is to create a cashflow machine that minimizes expenses and generates profit.  That type of businessman is good for shareholders, but not necessarily for fans.

I’m not going to get into the pros and cons of the individual bids that were put forth yesterday.  First of all, I have not had the opportunity to read the details contained therein.  All I have are the media speculation on who bid what and why it might or might not be enough to get the Wilpons interested enough to pull the trigger on a deal.  Since it is all about guessing I have no valid interpretation to offer until real dollars and comprehensive plans make their way forward.  It is just (to borrow a Woody Allen phrase) mental masturbation.

The other conversation d’jour concerns the goings on at the Summer Training camp being held at Citifield.  We’ve all seen headlines about Jeff McNeil’s power surge, Dellin Betances’ return to the mound in simulated games, Yoenis Cespedes taking ginger steps at playing the field (even if not his Gold Glove history in the outfield), the late arrivals of Amed Rosario and others, and various other typical training camp stories. 

More recent developments include the people who are missing in action, including Brad Brach who was signed to another deal for 2020 but apparently is in isolation somewhere.  Speculation already began to run rampant that he is part of the unfortunate group of players who have succumbed to the pandemic but HIPAA regulations make such announcements rumor and speculation rather than fact.  

The Angels’ decision to draft Jacob Rhame from the Mets camp didn’t generate much of a headline nor cause many tears.  Yes, he could turn out to be more like a Hansel Robles who was not much in Queens but is now the closer in Anaheim.  More likely his career 6.23 ERA is not just health related or poor adjustment to the big league level of hurling.  He’s 27 and not yet showing he belongs in the majors.  

If you want to debate an interesting topic it would be how the Mets plan to fill their taxi squad.  Right now the addition of Ryley GIlliam takes them to a grand total of 51 players, 30 on the group staying at Citifield and just 21 thus far in the quasi minor league group providing spare parts when necessary.  There are still nine vacancies and it’s July 10th with two weeks to go to make those final roster decisions.  

For now, there is little broadcast coverage of the Mets which leads to perhaps less legitimate interest in what’s happening with the on-the-field club than with other teams who think televising training camp can help ignite fan interest.  Then again, to do so would require both an investment (not happening) and a desire to win (absent from Queens).