By Gus Livaditis September 4, 2020.
After close to four decades of controversial ownership that included dubious financial practices, many second-tier free agent signings, much interference with their Front Office’s work, and some foot-in-mouth comments, the Wilpon and Katz families are divesting themselves in the coming days of most of their Mets ownership.
Interestingly, news is coming out today [9/4] of a speculation that Alex Rodriguez‘ final offer was leaked to Steve Cohen by one of the Mets’ bankers. Expectantly, Rodriguez feels betrayed and feels that the Wilpons and Katz preferred Cohen all the while. It is quite probable that Steve Cohen would have put up the most money, but why would the Wilpons not make Cohen reach a little deeper, outbidding Rodriguez/Lopez by a mere $50Million when $100Million was certainly possible? Although it was in he papers for weeks that Rodriguez “may” bid $2.3Billion, reports were quick to include there was room for more. So, did Cohen know the exact bid? Possibly. He is an owner of the Mets and may have called in a favor. Too, it seems that Saul Katz has been the person most influential in the selling process and he prefers Cohen. We need to remember that the Wilpons and Katzes plan to keep 5% of the team so they’d like their investment to be held by the person that can keep the team as strong as possible.
Rodriguez learned first hand a valuable lesson on how real business deals get done, via connections and back stage handshakes about further business dealings. Cohen wasn’t going to let a rookie beat him. Other reasons to prefer Cohen over the Rodriguez/Lopez team may be business but may also be emotional. Since Cohen was expected to top all offers, and he is a Mets fan, it is best to have someone who cares very deeply about the product running the show. After owning the team for 40 years, one would expect that the Mets mean a lot to the Wilpon and Katz families. After all, they are about to become fans and they like rooting for winners too! But, let’s not forget the Wilpons have had run-ins with Rodriguez in the past. There was the free agency debacle in the winter of 2000 where A-Rod’s agent Scott Boras – who never misses an opportunity to ridicule Mets practices – made a very famous comment about the Mets ownership not wanting to win when in fact the problem was the Mets declining to even counter-offer Boras’ demands of marketing, travel and clubhouse benefits for Rodriguez; Rodriguez was also a Yankee for many years and we know the Yankees make Fred Wilpon sicker than a high dollar player getting hurt; and it isn’t far-fetched to worry that Rodriguez will do to the Mets what Derek Jeter did to the Marlins, gutting the team in order to recoup some of the purchase funds that dried out the bank accounts in the short term. More reasons to pick Steve Cohen.
Got to admit the Marlins are looking very interesting these days.
ReplyDeleteThey look good indeed RDS. A number of their prospect trades were not the best but they hit a HR with Sixto Sanchez for Realamuto. Sure looks like the Mets should have made the Rosario for Realamuto trade when they could have.
ReplyDeleteSensational Catch
ReplyDeleteWillie Mays is somewhere smiling for sure. Unbelievable.
I don't like the four-man rotation idea. These starters throw too hard. It isn't just all about the 2020 season. There will come 2021...
Yes, obviously a lot of good arms down right now here. But I would much rather see the Mets go with a rotation of: 1. deGrom 2. Lugo 3. Peterson (on a leash length that he determines himself each game) 4. Familia (a really good righty starter is actually what he is. but can he be stretched out is the only question. even four or five innings works though.) 5. This would have to be a committee of good arms being used. My thought would be Wilson, Zamora, and maybe Szapucki for this. Only need two.
Not sure if trading is still an option here. But to have Amed Rosario and Luis Guillorme sitting on the bench? They need to be playing somewhere at least.
Don't give up!
At 2020 end...
ReplyDelete...It will still be the starting pitching here. Count on it.
The Mets really only have right now deGrom, Lugo, and Peterson as their possible good starters for 2021. Noah will be questionable until later on with the TJ. Cannot rush people back from it. Most of the remaining starters will be gone, whether on one year contracts ending 2020 or no longer able to start effectively, if still here.
The window of opportunity swings wide open after these three above starters. This is precisely where trades and such should be directed. Promising righty kid Matthew Alan is only 19 years old.
But from history, I would suggest not going after too many veteran arms. Guys with too many innings on their arms and no longer that crazy burning desire to succeed and win championships like a team wants and needs.
The Mets need to be wiser with any new pitchers coming in than in off- seasons past. This 2020 Mets' rotation illustrates precisely the reasons why. Perhaps just one ideal new arm from outside and a couple of other MiLB kid pitchers from another team to add into the next wave.
I encourage use of the 1990's Atlanta Brave's model as a good target. It simply worked. Every new season their best AAA starter (from the season prior) made the fifth slot.