How the Wilpon Stole Metsmas

How the Wilpon Stole Metsmas

by Dr Z

Every Met fan
Down in City-ville
Liked Metsmas a lot…

But the Wilpon,
Who lived just North of City-ville,
Did NOT!

The Wilpon hated Metsmas! Every Metsmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be that his head wasn’t screwed on quite right.
It could be, perhaps, that his Brooklyn Dodgers jersey was too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his wallet was two sizes too small.

But,
Whatever the reason,
His heart or his jersey,
He stood there on Metsmas Eve, hating the fans,
Staring down from his SNY fancave, making expensive ticket plans.
At the warm lighted windows below in their town.
For he knew every fan down in City-ville beneath
Was busy now, hanging a Mets-branded wreath.

“And they’re hanging their Blue & Orange stockings!” he snarled with a sneer.
“Tomorrow is Metsmas! It’s practically here!”
Then he growled, with his stubby fingers nervously drumming,
“I MUST find a way to keep Metsmas from coming!”
For, tomorrow, he knew…

…All the fan girls and boys
Would wake up bright and early. They’d rush for their toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise!
That’s one thing he hated! The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!

Then the Fans, young and old, would sit down to a feast.
And they’d feast! And they’d feast!
And they’d FEAST! FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!
They would start on Shake Shack, and rare Keith Mex Burgers
Which was something the Wilpon couldn’t stand any further!

And THEN
They’d do something he liked least of all!
Every fan down in City-ville, the tall and the small,
Would stand close together, with Metsmas bells ringing.
They’d stand hand-in-hand. And the fans would start Cheering!

They’d cheer! And they’d cheer!
AND they’d CHEER! CHEER! CHEER! CHEER!
And the more the Wilpon thought the more he raised price of beer
The more the Wilpon thought, “I must stop those sick queers!
“Why for over 12 years I’ve put up with it now!
I MUST stop Metsmas from coming!
…But HOW?”

Then he got an idea!
An awful idea!
THE WILPON
GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!

“I know just what to do!” The Wilpon Laughed in his throat.
And he made a quick Santy Claus hat and a coat.
And he chuckled, and clucked, “What a great Wilpon trick!
“With this coat and this hat, I’ll look just like Saint Nick!”

“All I need is a reindeer…”
The Wilpon looked around.
But since reindeer are scarce, there was none to be found.
Did that stop the old Wilpon…?
No! The Wilpon simply said,
“If I can’t find a reindeer, I’ll make one instead!”
So he called his son Jeff. Then he took some red thread
And he tied a big horn on top of his head.

THEN
He loaded some bags
And filled them with Madeoff money
On a ramshakle sleigh
And he hitched up old Jeffy.

Then the Wilpon said, “Giddyap!”
And the sleigh started down
Toward the homes where the Fans
Lay a-snooze in their town.

All their windows were dark. Quiet snow filled the air.
All the fans were all dreaming of championships without care
When he came to the first house in the square.
“This is stop number one,” The old Wilpon Claus hissed
And he climbed to the roof, empty bags in his fist.

Then he slid down the chimney. He weighed a ton.
But if Santa could do it, then so could the Wilpon.
He got stuck only once, for an hour or two.
Then he stuck his head out of the fireplace flue
Where the little Who stockings all hung in a row.
“These Mets stockings,” he grinned, “are the first things to go!”

Then he slithered and slunk, with a smile most unpleasant,
Around the whole room, and he took every present!
Reyes! And Beltran! Niese! Wright!
Ike Davis! The pitchers! Even Duda in Right!
And he stuffed them in bags. Then the Wilpon, very nimbly,
Stuffed all the bags, one by one, up the chimney!

Then he slunk to the icebox. He earned the Fans’ ire!
He took the Shake Shacks! He took Keith’s Mex Burger!
He cleaned out that icebox quick; in a jiffy.
Why, that Wilpon even took the Fans R A Dickey!

Then he stuffed all the food up the chimney with glee.
“And NOW!” grinned the Wilpon, “I will stuff up the tree!”

And the Wilpon grabbed the tree, and he started to shove
When he heard a small sound like the coo of a dove.
He turned around fast, and he saw a small Fan!
Little Cindy Beartran, who was not more than two.

The Wilpon had been caught by this little Who daughter
Who’d got out of bed for a cup of cold water.
She stared at the Wilpon and said, “Santy Claus, why,
“Why are you taking our Metsmas tree? WHY?”

But, you know, that old Wilpon was so smart and so slick
Although he couldn’t run a franchise worth a dick!
“Why, my sweet little tot,” the fake Santy Claus lied,
“There’s a light on this tree that won’t light on one side.
“So I’m taking it home to my workshop, my dear.
“I’ll fix it up there. Then I’ll bring it back here.”

And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head
And he attempted to sell her a $20 million share.
And when Cindy-Beartran Who went to bed with her cup,
HE went to the chimney and stuffed the tree up!

Then the last thing he took
Was the log for their fire.
Then he went up the chimney himself, what a cheap old liar.
On their walls he left nothing but hooks, and some Mets Fliers.

And the one speck of food
The he left in the house
Was a crumb that was even too small for a mouse.

Then
He did the same thing
To the other Fans’ houses

Adding fuel
to the fire
For the other Fans’ causes!

It was quarter past dawn…
All the Fans, still a-bed
All the Fans, still a-snooze
When he packed up his sled,
Packed it up with their pitcher! The catchers! The gamers!
The hitters! And the defenders! The coaches! The players!

Three thousand feet up! Up the side of Mount Flushing,
He rode to the tiptop to dump it!
“Poo-poo for the Fans!” he was wilpon-ish-ly humming.
“They’re finding out now that no Metsmas is coming!
“They’re just waking up! I know just what they’ll do!
“Their mouths will hang open a minute or two
“Then all the fans down in City-ville will all cry BOO-HOO!”

“That’s a noise,” grinned the Wilpon,
“That I simply must hear!”
So he paused. And the Wilpon put a hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow…

But the sound wasn’t sad!
Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn’t be so!
But it WAS merry! VERY!

He stared down at City-ville!
The Wilpon popped his eyes!
Then he shook!
What he saw was a shocking surprise!

Every Lawyer down in City-ville, the tall and the small
Were litigating, They were after the payers after all!
He HADN’T stopped Metsmas from coming!
IT CAME!
But this time the lawyers said, it won’t be the same!

And the Wilpon, with his wilpon-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?
They came not for hitters! They came not for pitchers!
“They didn’t even come for my butt scratchas!”
And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Wilpon thought of something he hadn’t before!
“Maybe money can’t,” he thought, “just come from a Clubhouse store.
“Maybe next Metsmas…perhaps.. I won’t have any more!”

And what happened then…?
Well…in City-ville they say
That the Wilpon’s small wallet
Shrank three sizes that day!

And the minute his wallet started feeling more tight,
He whizzed his bladder’s load throughout the bright morning light
And he borrowed money from Bud, and from banks he did resort
And he…

…HE HIMSELF…!
The Wilpon knew his time was short!

—

Merry Xmas to all
Happy Hannukah too
To all Mets fans, Christian, Atheist, Muslim, Jew.

Take light from this parody this holiday season
but know a more joyous one is soon to harken

The Wilton story is tragic, Saul Kats is too
while we make light, remember they’re human too

They made mistakes and are paying, with us along for the ride
the Mets may not be solvent, but they may take it in stride

In time past with his expectations
the results ended with us in deflation

Perhaps this year the opposite will be true
we expect so little from our orange and blue

perhaps a change is coming, then again perhaps not
what’s on the field matter most, so let’s see our lot

take joy one and all, and maybe you can conceive
that tomorrow is a mystery, YA GOTTA BELIEVE!

MERRY METSMAS!

from Robert Z & the entire KinersKorner.com gang

Filed under: Robert Z

Nepotism & The NY Mets

On December 1st, 2011 the NY Mets announced a slew of changes to the professional, amateur and international scouting departments. Among those announcement was the hiring of the poorly named Byrn Anderson, a 5 year veteran of the Oakland A’s, as a scout.

Byrn is the son of Mets GM Sandy Alderson. When the Mets twitterverse got word of it, this happened:

To be clear all that I know about Byrn is that he has 5 years experience. I do not know if it is good or bad. However, in a city where James Dolan, Hank Steinbrenner, and Jeff Wilpon are so prominent, many already were imagining the worse.

The visceral reaction strikes me though as very hypocritical. Many Mets fans want Wally Backman as manager. Why? Because he was on the 1986 championship team? Yes, the Diamondbacks hired him before word got out about his transgressions, but it is telling how much people are staying away from him with exception of the NY Mets and a brief flirtation with his ex-manager in Davey Johnson.

This is not the only case. Many fans would jump for joy if Ron Darling was named pitching coach despite having no recent experience in coaching. People would be ecstatic if Mike Piazza was added as a hitting coach. Mets fans were devastated when Mookie Wilson was relieved of his 1b/OF coaching duties, despite the poor baserunning and outfield play of the 2011 NY Mets.

The NY Mets players are like an extended family. If you are jumping for a former player to join the team you are encouraging the Mets to participate in the very same nepotism you are accusing Sandy Alderson of displaying with the hiring of his son.

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: Robert Z

Potential Expanded Playoffs Factor into Trade Deadline

Mike Silva of NYBaseballDigest.com brought up a great point in his post yesterday seeing where the Mets would fit in a playoff race under a potential expanded format. Prior to yesterday’s game they stood 1.5GB of the final wild card spot.

For those unaware there are reports that MLB is considering expanding the playoffs potentially as early as next year. There are two primary systems that I’ve heard of. One is expanding to six teams with the 2 top division winners getting a bye, and the latter 4 playing a 1-3 game series. The other, and probably more likely scenario, is the addition of a second wild card and the two wild card winners face off in a play-in game. As many can recall from Al Leiter’s masterpiece in 1999, a one game playoff can be very exciting.

Personally, I’d prefer the first scenario. This would encourage teams running away with the division not to coast to the finish, and a one game playoff while fun, is very flukey. Imagine Mets and Braves winning 95 games, going to a one game playoff, and Johan Santana injures himself on a comeback to the first batter. Or an umpire blowing a call as blatant as Gibson’s “safe” at home yesterday? I’d prefer reducing the season to a 152 game schedule and expanded playoffs.

Regardless of which scenario, or another, comes out an expanded playoff in the near future looks to be a near certainty. It will generate more revenue for MLB, will curtail the constant “selling off” of pieces at the trade deadline to a minimum, and will create more parity on a yearly basis.

Which brings us back to the present. The Mets have been a pleasant surprise this year, especially playing through the adversity of not having an ace, losing Chris Young for the season, potentially Ike Davis for the season, a month without Bay, and Wright for who knows what length of time, among others.They’ve played well despite two teams among the best in baseball in the division. What my heart wants to see if how they do when Reyes, Wright and possibly Santana come back. I want to see them surprise and make a run.

Then i think of 2004. When the Mets also were on a run and playing over their heads. The rest doesn’t need to be rehashed except for a gratuitous Anna Benson photo.

The fact that playoffs are likely to expand means the Mets will have a far better shot of reaching the playoffs the next two years even if they don’t go back to their $140M payroll level. One WC slots increase their chances greatly, and once you’re in, as the Giants prove, anything can happen. It also means that it is less likely they’ll be able to trade for any pieces mid year next year as OTHER teams are going to be in the race as well.

As much as I want to see otherwise, Sandy has to look at the big picture and play the percentages. Can the Mets recover 6 games and catch the Braves for the Wild Card? Sure they can. It doesn’t make it a safe bet. However, if you deal Krod, Byrdak, Izzy and even Beltran for significant minor leagues pieces, it does make it more likely to contend in the future, and it gives Sandy more room to work with. We’ve seen that he can find some good pieces even without monetary resources (Izzy, Paulino, Capuano, Bucholz, even Hairston & Harris have contributed after a poor start) and I’d like to see him have the opportunity to build the team with as much money and prospects as possible.

The idea of a boring second half out of the race does not thrill me, but the idea of a lost opportunity worries me more. Sandy Alderson has to give Mets fan the needle, deliver the medicine, so we can feel better later. With Bud Selig apparently ready for a change, the Mets will need to change as well.

Even if it hurts.

Filed under: Robert Z, 1999 mets, 2004 mets, al leiter, anna, anna benson, beltran, Carlos Beltran, francisco rodriguez, izzy, jason isringhousen, k-rod, krod, New York Mets, playoffs, sandy, Sandy Alderson, tim byrdak, trade

Why Must Rebuilding Take Years?

The Mets horrendous start has unsurprisingly been accompanied by the outcry by various fans, bloggers, tweeters, Facebook posts, and large market publications that the end of the season is upon us, the fire sale must begin, and that as fans we should expect several more seasons of Octoberless baseball.

Let’s ignore the fact at the moment that it is currently April 22nd, and the fact that no one in the NL East has run away with an amazing month. The Mets currently stand 6.5 games back. To put it into perspective, we potentially could still have 2007 in reverse, with the Mets collapsing in April but putting together the big lead through the end of the season.

Let’s assume though that the under-performances will continue, and more injuries and setback will occur. Let’s assume where will not be meaningful games in late May, let alone September.

Why do I keep hearing it will take at least 3 years to rebuild? Why are people saying to include David Wright in the fire sale, because his prime will be over by the time they contend.

If the Mets deal Wright it should be for more than one of these reasons: they don’t believe they can rebuild without the potential prospects they get from him in return, they think he can be replaced internally or externally, he is not the right fit for Citifield (that can be debated and for a separate post), or they want a completely clean slate.

If the Mets were to have a fire sale the most likely candidates to be moved are Reyes, Francisco Rodriguez, and Carlos Beltran. Less probable candidates include Mike Pelfrey, RA Dickey, David Wright, Jason Bay and any veteran signed to a one year contract.

Of the second tier it doesn’t make much sense to deal Pelfrey and Dickey. Dickey is signed to a reasonable contract through next year and his uniqueness is very valuable. Mike Pelfrey is still signed to a reasonable deal and even if he never reaches the upper echelon he has proven to be a solid back to middle of the rotation starter. That’s not to be scoffed at. If anything, as you will read further, the biggest reason to deal him may be that he won’t be necessary as early as next year.

And did we forget Johan Santana is still on this team? Yes, there is a question of how much of the old Johan will be left, but that doesn’t mean we should assume he will fail.

So the way I see it is next year the Mets will likely have a rotation that will include Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, Johnathan Niese, RA Dickey. That is not a bad front 4, even if Johan isn’t “Twins Johan.” The fifth starter will likely be either one of the Mets much top young prospects Matt Harvey or Jenrry Mejia, who are both tearing up minor league early in the season. Mejia was already discussed as a potential call up, and will likely see Citifield time before September. Matt Harvey, the Mets number 7 pick, has been so impressive some scouts believe he may see MLB time as early as this September and will likely be in the mix for the rotation spot.

With that said, the Mets may decide to trade Pelfrey to replenish the farm (as a young pitcher with potential and a very good contract he can get a hefty bounty – just look at what some comparable pitchers have received in free agency in recent seasons) and go the free agent or trade route for another pitcher. That path is very dangerous as you’ll be hard pressed to find a free agent pitcher that much better than Pelfrey among the 2012 free agents.

So the rotation seems solid, what about the lineup? If Jose Reyes is traded, the Mets can go internally with Reuben Tejada, who appears to be a match for Jose defensively but a great decline defensively, or possibly wait for Wilmer Flores to be ready in 2013 and go with Tejada or a free agent stopgap. Considering Flores unlikely to stay in the rotation, the Mets will have to determine if Tejada can be an MLB starting shortstop or if there is a suitable free agent. After Reyes, the next best shortstop is probably JJ Hardy.

As an aside, you have to wonder if they decide to make their moves whether Sandy Alderson can possibly convince Jose to pull a Mike Bordick. I see no reason why Reyes or his agent would be upset at trading Reyes to a playoff contender to increase his value during free agency and not come back to the negotiation table in the winter.

As for the other potential trade candidates like Bay and Beltran, the Mets have some interesting outfield options including Lucas Duda and Kirk Niuwenhies who may be able to take on a load in 2012, and there are a lot of options in the outfield for the short term. The Mets can also take a chance by moving Ike Davis to right field, he is said to have a cannon for an arm and go after Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols. With Yankees and Sox 1B situations taken care of, the two may be had, especially Fielder.

The biggest question is how much will Sandy have to spend? Obviously it will be more than the $10m that he had this past offseason, but how much more? The Wilpons financial issues keep things murky, but they appear to be moving closer to getting a minority owner, and I would not be shocked if eventually that owner becomes the majority.

The point is in April 2011 it is too early to say the Mets will be uncompetitive for years. Is the above overly optimistic? Perhaps it is, but it does not mean that it cannot happen. Just because things may be bad today does not mean it will always be so, and there are is so much in flux with the team that to assume anything, positively or negatively for next year let alone three years from now, is just plain silly. Do not let those who want you to feel negative about the team force their feelings upon you. It’s April, and there’s a long way to September. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. We’re barely an 8th of a way done.

Let’s Go Mets!

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: Robert Z

New Years Revolutions

As the Tri-State area and the rest of the Northeast breaks our backs shoveling out snow, one can’t help but turn our thoughts to the spring and summer. Warm weather, skimpy swimwear, and of course baseball.

We all look forward to that crack of the bat, as Chipper Jones hits another game winner out to the Pepsi Porch.

Wait, let’s try that again.

We wait in anticipation to the sound of the ball hitting the glove, as Beltran strikes out looking to a Joe Johnson fastball.

Hold on, something’s off here.

Er, we tremble in anticipation at the thought of an Epic four game series vs Philadelphia as Lee, Holliday, Hamels, and Oswalt complete the 4 game sweep at Citifield.

*Thunk!*

Oops. I think I just killed Mr. Met.

The train of thought above is not unusual for those who bleed Orange and Blue. The Mets have been bleeding for years now, trying to bandage and patch up different cuts and scrapes since 2006.

The fan base have not fared much better. There is no need to go through the decade in detail, but a start that saw the Yankees celebrating at Shea ended with a whimper at Citifield in 2010.

10 years.
2 playoff appearances.
2 collapses.
4 managers.
4 General Managers.

We’ve been hit with Meaningful Games, Skills Set, New Mets, Los Mets, Madeoff, Sipping Sweet Champagne, Grandpa Art, Too Sexy Mrs Anna Clause, 10 Minutes Zambrano, Inconsistent Ollie, Destuctable El Duque, Rehabbing Pedro, Choker Armando, Disguised Valentine, 1 vs 24 Phillips, Black Friday Sales Duquette, Kazmir Conspiracies, Krod Family KOs, Oral Consented Surgeries vs Written Consented Surgeries, Cross Country Concussion Riders, Gangstas, the Zen of Peterson, Shirtless Minor League Coordinators, GM’s calling out Beat Writers, and add in your favorite scandals of the past decade. The one who puts in the most gets a free bottle of Rolaids.

Our “Ya Gotta Believe” spirit is if not gone, extremely weak. The biggest issue lies at the top, with the Wilpons. No, this is not going to be a Wilpons is Evil article, I’ll leave that to other bloggers.

The Wilpons though have not done a good job making fans want to be a part of the franchise. It’s one thing to be losing. Even Pittsburgh, who has gone a quarter century without a playoff appearance, still have fans despite the losing. The Wilpons have not done a good enough job connecting to the fans, making them believe that ownership wants a winner.

The idea they won’t is a fallacy, for the record. There is no logical reason for them to spend as much as they do and not want to win. If they didn’t care at all they would not be in the top 3 in spending for much of the past decade. If you want to believe they don’t want to win as fans I can buy into that, but as businessmen I don’t get why they wouldn’t want that additional revenue you get in winning. Ticket sales, playoff revenue, more ratings for SNY, and of course to paraphrase Yogurt from Spaceballs, “MOICHANDISING. Where the real money from winning is made!”

The problem is two fold. The issue really came to a head with Citifield. They hyped up the building for years. To finally open with so little Mets presence was not a mistake in and of itself. It was compounded by the fact that they did not properly explain to the fans how long it would take to have it completed into the Mets mosaic it is today. Opening it with just the Robinson Rotunda, which I believe was a great gesture, made fans feel like Fred was setting up a monument to the late Brooklyn Dodgers, and did not care about our beloved Mets. Whether he did or not is irrelevant. Image is everything.

The other issue comes from the common fan malaise of Coupon. It’s not so much how much is spent. Anyone who thinks that the Mets and Yankees are on equal footing financially does not understand the global power the Yankees brand is. It’s the fact that the money was not spent in critical areas where a drop more would matter. Like spending a few extra million in the draft the past few years. Or not getting one more reliever in 2007 when it was so desperately needed.

Since we are not inside the offices we have no idea if that was a decision by the GM or by the front office.

Which leads us to the current decade, and the revolution.

Many fans already have cast doubts on the new regime in place with Sandy Alderson. Mostly due to the budget causing an unusually slow winter. Fans have gotten used to in the post Phillips-Duquette era being able to get at least one big name an offseason, and barring a trade that won’t happen.

Sandy’s new system is giving me hope though. This is the first time that a Mets GM was hired outside the organization in over 25 years. This is the first time that the Wilpons, Fred and Jeff, are hearing a new way to run an organization. They have always stayed inside, always stayed within the Mets current system. That was a mistake, and they should be criticized for it.

With that said, we are now entering unknown territory. A whole generation of Mets fans, myself included, are going to witness a different managerial style. Not just from the dugout with Terry Collins, but at the GM side. We will finally know what we have wondered for a decade: How much is the fault of the owners, and how much is the fault of the general managers for the past decades mistakes?

If we see Sandy make decisions out of character from his previous regimes, but in line with what the Mets have repeately done in the past, we know the fault lies with the owners. If not, if he revolutionizes the way the Mets operate, then we can blame the GMs or at least credit the Wilpons for recognizing, albeit very belatedly, that a change in the system was needed.

So I’m resolving to set aside expectations for 1 year. I’m not expecting much good, but I’m not going to assume the worst is to come in 2011. I will take it as it comes. I will see if the right changes are implemented. If we see no money spent in the major league system, AND no money spent in the farm AGAIN, we know that the status quo will continue, and that the best we can hope for is the cycle of good teams and bad, never reaching the dynasty levels of the Yanks, Boston, and now Philly.

2011 though, with new ideas, comes new resolutions, new revolutions. What’s yours?

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: Robert Z

The New Foundation is Set

Before I begin, I’d like to take a moment to thank all of you who supported KinersKorner despite our long absence, and I’d like to welcome our new bloggers to the fold. I’m looking forward to setting a new foundation with the past and present for a brighter future.

Oh, look at that. A segue.

The Mets finally are making some off-the-field headlines that aren’t embarrassing, but unfortunately have not been without cringes and exasperation. The hiring of the new front office, Sandy Alderson, J.P. Ricciardi, Paul DePodesta, along with incumbents John Ricco and Wayne Krivski give the Mets more experience and professionalism than I can remember at some time. (Though I will admit I have no memory of the 1986 front office, unlike the rest of these old farts on this blog I was only 3 at the time.)

Today they continued to go in the direction of experience hiring Terry Collins as manager. Rumors are swirling about his staff, with a possible surprising turn at pitching coach with Dan Warthen out and Dave Wallace returning to staff. Dave Wallace is well respected in the industry but I’d be concerned to remove Warthen with Dickey and Pelfrey claiming he was instrumental to their success, and “Rockin’ Leo Mazzone” a free agent interested in the big apple. By the way, rumors are out that Mookie Wilson may return as 1b coach.

Wait a minute. Controversial manager. Dave Wallace Pitching Coach. Mookie Wilson 1b coach. Why do I have Deja Vu?

The choice of Collins is interesting on many levels. He only signed a 2 year deal. You can read that in many ways. The anti-Collins, pro-Everyone Else, anti-hope Mets fan will look at that as a lack of confidence. I see it as prudence and a sign of the change in ownership.

Why does Collins deserve a longer deal? You can assume that the New Mets Order had no runaway favorite, and who can blame them? Each of the 4 finalists were flawed. Clint Hurdle, who I believe probably would’ve won the job had he waited, was flawed. Even Bobby Valentine has flaws beyond the asking price.

So why should they extend themselves to a longer term deal before seeing if he improved since 1999? It also gives them the opportunity to hire a different manager during what we would hope would be the end of the retool/rebuild process.

As for Collins I do not believe his ouster after 2 seasons is a forgone conclusion. He is well versed on the Mets system, is not afraid of veterans slacking, and the one thing you heard over and over was “he wants to win — perhaps too much.” After seeing the Mets under perform the last few years, I could go for a manager who wants it too much for a little while.

Make no mistake, the addition of Collins does not put them on the short list of World Series probables. It doesn’t “take back NY from the Yankees,” a fallacy mindset if I ever heard one. It doesn’t mean they’ll sip champagne in October or even play meaningful games in September.

It sets the foundation for the future. They have a guy who can handle the crap that is there now, and cultivate the few seeds from the farm system Omar left behind. Someone who won’t care what WFAN callers & Diet Coke drinkers call him.

Collins was not my choice for manager. I have no choice but to hope that Alderson and the New Mets Order saw something in him that the sportswriters, bloggers, and analysts didn’t. Next we’ll see if the new GM and team can make any changes to the roster. I don’t expect anything significant, but it would be nice to work with a 25 man roster instead of 23 like last year.

It is going to be a long two seasons, but I’m already looking forward to Pitchers and Catchers and seeing whether Collins can surprise us. Hey, Ya Gotta Believe, Right?

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

A Mets Fan in Hong Kong

Greetings from literally the other side of the world. For the past 12 days I have been letting the people of Hong Kong see something from New York they rarely see. A yarmulka. Oh, and a Mets cap.

When my boss told me they wanted to send me to Hong Kong in China I of course jumped to the chance. It is not often one gets to visit foreign lands, especially all expense paid.

I would describe Hong Kong as Mini New York, and many locals and fellow travelers agree. It’s a very Western city in Asia, and the coast lines look a lot like New York if the buildings had to be set lower.

Soccer, or as it is known everywhere else around the world, football is the prevalent sport here. I’ve seen the local stations show NBA, ligd even some ping pong, or as the chinese call it ping pong, as well as Golf, but no baseball games or highlights.

Thank you for the Internet, Al Gore.

When I arrived in Hong Kong I expected my annual April baseball cravings to be denied, and was planning to follow along online. What disappoints me is that it is impossible to get baseball reports without opinion. The closest I can get is via the Assosciated Press, but even those include comments and opinions.

It is exceedingly difficult for one to get the facts of a game without opinion, and that is disappointing. It just continues to show how easily we can be manipulated in feeling a certain way, positively or negatively.

As for being a fan in Hong Kong, it is very odd knowing you can wake up at 9:00 AM, turn on to the Mets twitter feed, and get updates in the morning. West Coast time difference? Big deal, so I get the final score at lunchtime.

It has been interesting turning on local Television and not getting bombarded with baseball talk, and while baseball is not very popular in China, it is known, or at least one franchise is known……

Have you ever been asked where did you get that Blue & Orange Yankees cap? I also have been asked what Mets means in English while wearing my T-shirt.

I have often heard Met fans asked why the Wilpons don’t spend like the Yankees do. I don’t think many understand the true difference between a National US Brand and a Global Brand. Which do you think the Yankees fall under?

I have seen only one store carry MLB merchandise, and it was only Yankees gear. I have only seen two locals wear baseball hats, both Yankees. My contacts in Hong Kong do not know that another New York baseball team even EXISTS.

If it makes you feel better, they were only able to name the Dodgers and Mariners when asked. Except for one person who when reminded of Koreans in baseball, remembered that Jae Seo played for “team in NY – Notyankees.

That’s right folks. We’re the New York Notyankees.

So the next time you wonder why the Yanks spend so much, consider they have revenue streams the Mets just cannot get into yet, or any other team for that matter. It’s the way it’s going to be for the foreseeable future.

With that said, there are elements of the game you can control. You can get Mets merchandise, official or unofficial, and show team pride even when things get rough. If you don’t want to spend money on the team as a protest, why not buy a Gary, Keith and Ron shirt that will go to charity instead?

Get to a game and cheer or boo your favorite and hated players. Make noise. Write a blog. Don’t waste time on talk radio or public internet forums. The Mets know those are havens for the complainers, and it won’t carry as much weight.

I may not have done much for the Mets here in Hong Kong, but now there are more here who know about them. They might even become fans. If you love the team, make it fun for you. Don’t let the Wins or losses dictate your emotions.

It could be worse, you can have no Mets to watch and enjoy: like me. 2-7 is better than nothing. And I am bored with nothing

From Hong Kong,

Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

The Adventures Begins Anew

Well, after my long painful winter I’m happy to see the Mets put a smile on everyone’s face and win the opener 7-1. This has been an odd offseason to say the least. The negativity from the media and fan base was off the charts, which is part of the reason why the KinersKorner gang took the sabbatical. We try to put the fun into Mets baseball, whether it be via rants, keen and unusual observations, or pointing out the lighter side of a bad situation.

The deep depression and hopelessness in the fan base, or at least the vocal minority who tend to speak out in the world of blogs or talk radio, confused me tremendously. I did not go into this season with championship dreams going through my head, but I don’t believe it is as bleak as many of my fellow fans attribute.

Perhaps the fault is mine. I never was one to look at championship asperations as the primary source of enjoyment to Mets baseball. That always seemed too much of a Yankee style type of fan. It’s one thing to hope for a championship, it’s another to expect it yearly and to bash the franchise the years they do not expect them to contend. If I was that type of fan I’d probably have changed allegiance along time ago.

I also grew up as a fan in the early 90s, in the wake of the ’92 disaster and the implosion of Generation K. If you grew up as a fan during that era, it’s hard to get down on the current team. To put it in prespective, the biggest star growing up for me was Bernard Gilkey until Todd Hundley came along.

I’m still trying to get a bugged-eye meter going.

Back to the 2010 team. I LOVE years like this one, or at least the beginning of seasons like this, much more than I do seasons where the Mets are expected to be great. It’s more exciting. More tantalizing. More entertaining. More UNPREDICTABLE.

Talk to people who are not Mets fans and show them the roster. People who are not affiliated with a Newspaper or ESPN and won’t over analyze the 2nd lefty and the 2nd utility player. You will probably not find many people who will pick them over the Phillies for the NL East, but you will find a wide range of opinion on where the Mets will finish.

Wild Card?

Wild Card Contender?

3rd Place in NL East?

4th?

5th?

And would you look at this roster? So many possibilities. The rotation after Santana is a rollercoaster ride by itself, and Oliver Perez is the Cyclone. I can picture all three of the Unholy Trinity of Perez, Pelfrey and Maine winning 15 games each as easily as I can imagine them winning 15 games combined. You don’t think that’ll be fun to watch? You’re telling me you’re not going to be glued this season to the tube to see how these 3 will perform under this pressure, the knowledge that the season rests on them?

Then there’s the lineup. Wright trying to prove the doubters wrong after his one season power drain, Bay wanting to prove to Boston that they underappreciated him, Francoer trying to prove that he truly is what he showed at the 2nd half and can be a cornerstone for the Mets, Castillo trying to prove himself to the fans AGAIN, Reyes trying to prove he can stay healthy again, ditto Beltran in May……

……are you seeing a pattern? This lineup doesn’t have a chip on it’s shoulder. It has a boulder. Once again, I love seeing how players perform under pressure. The best pressure is self-made pressure.

Then you got the kids. John Niese, who looked like he turned the corner until he tore his hamstring. Jenrry Mejia, probably the 1st time a Mets prospect was called up when no fan wanted to see it, starting his quest for the 8th inning role, plus you got guys like Ike Davis, Josh Thole, and F-mart who I’m sure will make appearances this season.

This is going to be a fun year. Successful? Perhaps not, but fun nonetheless.

Let’s take a look at something for a minute. Let’s take a look at the worst scenario. The Unholy Trinity crash and burns, the lineup struggles, the Mets finish last place. What happens? Say what you will about the Wilpons, but the one thing they can’t stand is consistent bad public relations.

If the worst scenario were to occur Manuel would be gone, Omar would be demoted fired or at least demoted (something I would like to see. The guy was a big prospect guy, make him head of scouting and get someone more managerial as GM) and you’d probably see some trades this summer or fall to rebuild and retool. Considering the payroll, the young talent, and cornerstones like Wright, Santana, Krod, and possibly Reyes, a rebuild would not take long if done right.

For a worst possible scenario, that’s not too bad in my eyes.

However, we’re through Game 1 of 162 with a 1-0 record. Wright Homered, Santana pitched well, Bay triples and the Mets beat Josh Johnson for the first time. Chapter 1 is complete, and I have no idea what to expect in the next.

Let the Mets Adventure Begin.

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

Twas Night Before Xmas in Flushing

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Citifield
Not a creature was stirring, not a season ticket billed.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Bay soon would be there.

Jeffy was nestled all snug in his bed,
While visions of championship parades danced in his head.
And Omar besides him, and Fred in his Dodgers cap,
Had just settled their brains for a long offseason nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
they sprang from the beds to see what was the matter.
Away to the window they flew like Jose,
Tore open their hammies and screamed “oy Vey!”

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Charlie Manuel in limo, with Philly Garb and Gear.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it was Jamie Moyer as St Nick.
More rapid than Philly Eagles his players they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Halladay! now, Hamels! now, Lidge and Polanco!
On, Howard! On, Utley! on, on Rollins and Victorino!
To the top of the stadium! to the top of the Apple!
Now dash away! Dash away! And leave some “coal”!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and Brian Schneider too.

And then, in a twinkling, they heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As they drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Moyer came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, or so it was told,
And his clothes were all adorned with NL championship gold.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

A chunk of tobbacco he held tight in his teeth,
And the spittle it encircled his feet nondiscrete.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And they cried when they saw him, in spite of themselves!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had plenty to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And put Crist Coste in the stockings – what a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all Philly, sucks to be a Mets fan all right!”

—–

This poem of course is just in good jest
for tomorrow is a mystery, things may turn for the best.
To this great game we all know and love
despite all the setbacks it still ranks above.
On this festive day we at Kiners Korner say
thanks to our readers, our guests, even St. Nik for witty repartee.
A Merry Xmas to all, a time to give & recieve
2010 is coming – Ya Gotta Believe!

Merry Christmas, a belated Happy Chanukah, a festive Kwanzaa, and a happy New Year from all of Kiners Korner.

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

When Evaluating Wagner Deal, Remember 9/1/9

A few months back I wrote a post defending the Wagner move. I still stand behind that decision despite the decision by the Braves to sign him to a $7M contract, giving the Boston Red Sox two first round picks, and leaving the Mets with just Chris Carter and Eddie Lora.

3 numbers makes me stand by that decision: 9-1-9. The first day of September.

It’s easy to criticize the deal now, and Newsday’s David Lennon does an excellent job detailing the reasons why it was a poor decision.

However, you have to consider this particular deal at the time it was made. Wagner had come off Tommy John surgery, is in his late 30′s, and only pitched a couple of innings prior to the deal. His health was still VERY much in question, as was his ability and velocity. The market had a glut of free agent closers coming up, and was expected to be a very drawn out poker game wait for free agents, much like last year.

In a season where Omar relied too heavily on things working EXACTLY right and consistently getting burned by it, he needed to play the odds. Credit goes to Billy for beating the odds, and Theo was a lucky recipient.

It is also quite likely that Wagner would not have gotten this deal had he stayed on the Mets, even if Wagner pitched just as well. The Braves were likely impressed by his late season and playoff performance, which would not mean as much playing out the string.

It hurts that the Mets lost again at a chance to restock their farm, but sometimes the right decisions lead to the wrong results. 2009 can’t end fast enough.

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

A Crying Shame for Mets Fans

Welcome Back Korner Sitters, an appropriate name for whats happening to what was once a very proud and mature fan base.

See this pic?

That’s how the rest of baseball sees us now. Let me tell you a story.

A couple of Yankee fans who I’m friends with, and are actually not annoying jerks who say “nyah nyah – Yanks have another championship and Mets suck again” came over to me a few days ago and ask me a question.

“So what do you think of the new Mets uniforms?”

“What uniforms?” I innocently ask, not knowing the horrors to come.

They then show me a website with the uniform in question.

“Looks OK I guess. They just redid the classic 69 Pinstripe a bit.”

They then laughed uproariously. When I inquired why, it turns out these group of people make it a habit to visit various Mets blogs and are regular listeners to talk radio. They especially love when they talk Mets even though they’re Yankees fans cause, “You Mets fans complain about EVERYTHING. You find the littlest thing to cry about.”

I told them to shove off, and then turn on Francessa, and lo and behold I hear several minutes of fans screaming about the uniform.

Then i go read the posts the other day from Metsblog.com and other blogs about the subject. Here’s an excerpt:

“Yesterday, the Mets announced the addition of a 60s-inspired, home retro jersey for 2010, which you can see here.

According to the outstanding UniWatch, Paul Lukas wonders why the Mets needed to issue a press release to announce the jersey, when they could easily have just written:

“You know that pinstriped uni we never wear? Next year it’ll be beige instead of white.”

Lukas also takes issue with the team referring to the new uniform as ‘retro,’ because, unlike the original 60s version, this current model has the black drop shadow, and so, he says, “The Mets can’t even do retro accurately.”

…he is right… it is the essentially the same uniform they’ve been wearing, just in cream… as for the black or the shadow… i used to like it, now i don’t… the problem is, if you look at the list of top selling items from Mets.com, the black shirts and jerseys are always near the top…

…so, as much as i might dislike it, it probably doesn’t really matter what i think, considering i own one official Mets jersey, and i bought it in 1986…”

—–

OK, enough is enough. I get it, people are pissed over last year. However, this nitpicking over EVERY DETAIL that comes out of the Mets is officially retarded. The Mets announce changes to Citifield, something many fans have been clamoring for since the stadium opened, and fans react- “They should’ve done it earlier and why are they announcing it now. They should wait until they sign some free agents.”

What the HELL does one have to do with the other?

The Mets announce a new uniform and now we’re going ape shit cause it’s not a “retro 1969″ uniform. They NEVER said it was going to be retro. This is from the original post from Metsblog with the press release. I highlighted the important points:

“The design combines new and old elements of Mets uniforms. The Mets created the retro uniform following research and positive responses to the jerseys the 1969 World Champion Mets wore during their 40th anniversary celebration in August… The natural color and pinstripes were staples of the original Mets uniform when the team debuted in 1962. The Mets will also continue to wear their white uniform at home with the black jerseys as an alternate.”

So now everyone is going crazy cause the Mets announced retro uniforms that aren’t like 1969 – when they say in the press release there are new elements in it. I am sick of this crap every day from this jaded minority vocal fan base. They hate everything Met-related. Ken Davidoff had it right in this column – the Mets are over-hated.

Crying over a uniform. An alternate uniform to be used only on Sundays in fact. It’s a damn marketing campaign having nothing to do with player management. Omar is peripherally involved if at all. He probably just signs off in it. You want to know why they’re releasing it now before any free agents are signed? Do the terms “Black Friday,” “Cyber Monday,” or “Merry Christmas” means anything to you? If you want the Mets to sign big free agents and keep the payroll high they have to make money. How do you make money?

Yogurt, if you will?

As for the “purity of the uniform,” if you want a traditional uniform that never changes go root for the Yankees and be bored for all time. Watch a team so mired in “tradition” that the idea of doing anything new and different that doesn’t pander to the upper class is immediately shot down. As for myself and a lot of fans, I like the fact the Mets try to go with different and current fads. Black was in in the 90s, they tried black uniforms which sold excellently, and still do.

Now retro is in, so they’re going retro while not trying to lose the younger demographic who MAY NOT LIKE THE FULL RETRO LOOK. Sigh. There are enough things to be mad and cry about without LOOKING for it.

I can say unequivocably I am at the point where I am more embarassed by my fellow fans than anything that happened on the field in 2010. That problem is not going to be fixed by a big free agent pickup or gutting the farm system. Somewhere along the way this fan base became spoiled, whiny, obnoxious, bitter, pessimistic fans.

Oh, no. Look what happened to Mr. Met!

What’s next? Throwing garbage at whichever Mets player dresses as Santa Clause cause that player isn’t practicing in winter ball?

We’re gonna get upset that the Mets host events at citifield in the offseason? Or that classic Mets Footage don’t look good in HD?

Seriously, i’m curious. what’s next? Cause I didn’t see this outrage coming, and I want to know when to avoid Yankee fans next time the Mets FANS pull a Bernazard.

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

Ralph Kiner Recalls Baseball & WWII for Veterans Day

In a must-read article on ESPN.com in honor of Veteran’s Day, Ralph Kiner recalls leaving baseball to serve his country during the second World War. It’s an interesting read for anyone who wants to honors those who gave their lives during time in service, fans of baseball, and fans of the former Pirate Hall of Famer and beloved Mets broadcaster.

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

KinersKorner Sits with Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News

Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News was good enough to join us on the KinersKorner. We look back at 2009 and ahead to 2010 for the Amazins.

Thanks Adam for speaking with us at the Korner. It has been a long and tumultuous season for you and the Mets, and I hope we can take this opportunity for some perspective.

Obviously injuries were an issue this season. The Mets are staying with the same medical staff and trainers, but are talking up “better communication and processes” as a way to correct the problem. Are they doing too little?

Adam Rubin: I would suggest that the organization’s culture is the biggest issue, and that can be changed without personnel alterations. Players spoke highly of the Hospital for Special Surgery doctors, but almost uniformly said that they were pushed to play though injuries that would have landed them on the DL had they been with other organizations. Case in point: J.J. Putz was told by Dr. David Altchek he needed to have a bone spur removed from his elbow. The Mets advocated a cortisone shot. Putz had the injection, struggled for a month, then needed the procedure anyway. The two players who were treated conservatively —Ryan Church and David Wright— both put the negative physical effects behind them when they returned from the DL. Church was almost placed on the DL by accident, because Carlos Beltran had needed a cortisone shot at the time and Church was deactivated as a way to get another outfielder onto the roster. Public pressure to put Wright on the DL after his concussion perhaps influenced that sound decision.

What in your opinion was the turning point from this season being a disappointing injury-plagued season to an embarrassing 70-win season?

Adam Rubin: I’m not sure I can define one moment. In a three-week stretch in July the Mets dropped from one game to 10 games behind the Phillies.

The Mets talk about accountability, yet retained the GM, manager, and most of the coaching staff. Do they realize how this rings hollow to the fan base, and do you have any idea why they’re giving this group another chance?

Adam Rubin: I don’t see how returning substantially the same staff and roster will result in excitement among the fan base, but 2010 clearly is make of break for Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel, so the change may be coming soon.

What? Me Worry?

How much should we read into the Mets talking to JP Ricciardi, Kevin Towers and Wally Backman? From the outside looking in, it almost appears like the Wilpons are forcing Omar and Manuel to hire eventual replacements to make for an easier transition.

Adam Rubin: Clearly those people would be capable of stepping into the GM or manager’s role if someone were fired next season, so perhaps there’s merit to what you’re suggesting. However, Minaya’s closest advisers are rapidly disappearing—Tony Bernazard (fired), Sandy Johnson (likely retiring), Ramon Pena (dismissed) — so why not hire competent people? Backman’s credentials are impeccable, and I’m sure if he’s assigned to Binghamton that would be a boon to the Double-A club’s marketability, which would be a nice gesture after this year’s woeful season there.

Good Wally

Bad Wally

The Mets fired Tony Bernazard and several high-ranking members of the minor league front office and managerial staff. Are you encouraged or discouraged by the moves made so far?

Adam Rubin: I can’t really say either. I can’t say there’s been any surprise. Mako Oliveras, the Double-A manager, was brought into the organization by Tony Bernazard. The reviews of Julio Franco as a manager were poor. One scout asked me, “What is he teaching them—how to style after they hit a ball?”

Let’s move away from off the field and talk a little bit about the players and personnel on it.

Wright had a disappointing power season. Should Met fans believe this is an off year for the young star or is he going to not be the power star he showed the previous seasons?

Adam Rubin: He may not reach 29 homers, his average of the previous four seasons, regularly again, but I expect improve power numbers next season. He was largely unprotected in the lineup and did get away from pulling balls, even though a lot of his power is to right-center. He and Jeff Francoeur will join Howard Johnson in Florida for a couple of weeks this offseason to try to rediscover their swings. I also believe Wright felt a lot of pressure to carry the team, which didn’t help. And the ballpark was a factor more so with Wright than other players because of the stark differences between Shea Stadium and Citi Field in right-center. I don’t know what the final number was, but hittrackeronline.com at one point determined Wright was deprived of eight homers by the new dimensions.

Make way for Dark Helmet!

Jerry had to work with a AAA squad essentially, but the fundamentals of this team was severely lacking. How much blame should be attributed to jerry and his coaches, and should the Mets fans expect better or more of the same?

It's tough being a Met, but it's not that bad!

Adam Rubin: Lou Piniella had no success instilling baseball fundamentals in Angel Pagan either and eventually gave up, so it’s primarily on the players. While I wouldn’t advocate Jerry Manuel upstaging players, I would have preferred him being more punitive with playing time though after transgressions.

Are the Mets thinking depth or star power when planning this offseason? Most fans doubt they have the resources for both.

Adam Rubin: I don’t think the Mets are particularly fixable this winter. Any team with Jose Reyes (provided he’s healthy), Carlos Beltran, Johan Santana, David Wright and Francisco Rodriguez won’t be abysmal. However, the Mets should have the third or fourth best rotation in the NL East next year, depending on how you evaluate them versus the Marlins.

There is about a net of $30 million coming off the payroll, and I firmly believe the payroll will go down slightly this winter. How can it not with fewer tickets undoubtedly being sold this winter? Jeff Wilpon only maintained he would continue to have one of the game’s highest payrolls. You can shave $20 million off the payroll and that would still be true.

I think Daniel Murphy will be the first baseman, and the Mets will seek a power-hitting left fielder as well as a replacement at catcher for Brian Schneider—maybe Bengie Molina. I just don’t see the Mets outbidding teams for Matt Holliday or Jason Bay.

The Mets also will need an eighth-inning reliever and a second lefthander for the bullpen. Obviously, a top-tier starting pitcher would be beneficial to avoid the same reliance on Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez and John Maine.

Can all that be achieved if the Mets only spend $15-20 million on free agency? No way.

And I don’t foresee much of a farm impact in 2010. Jenrry Mejia could be a bullpen factor, but I would hesitate to predict that. And Ike Davis getting promoted midseason would mean Murphy is faltering.

Pelfrey may have been the most disappointing performer this past season. Was it Verducci syndrome? Bad defense? Lack of control? Lack of secondary pitches? No one seems to have an answer. Where do the Mets stand with Pelfrey and where should they?

Adam Rubin: I don’t think there was an innings-count effect, which is what the Verducci Effect says. I think it’s a combination of confidence and control. 2010 will be big in defining what type of career Pelfrey will have. Jerry Manuel tells Pelfrey his peers are pitchers such as Matt Cain. We’ll see.

Fans of yours are familiar with your work with Baseball America and know how knowledgeable you are of the farm. What prospects that maybe some fans do not know about should we keep an eye on?

Adam Rubin: Lefthander Juan Urbina, Ugeuth’s son, hasn’t thrown a pitch yet in a professional game but everyone is incredibly high on him. The biggest sleeper may be righthander Kyle Allen. Mike Antonini will get a look in spring training as a potential lefthander for the major-league pen.

Once again thank you for your time and I hope you have an enjoyable offseason.

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

Collapse: It’s Not a Mets Exclusive

With the Tigers loss to the Twins in a One-Game playoff the Tigers became the first team in MLB history to lose a playoff spot with a 3 game lead and 4 games left to play.

So debate Korner Sitters, what’s worse: 7 games with 17 to play or 3 games with 4 to play?

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

Mets Announce Coaching Comings & Goings: Jerry Stays – Backman Back?!?

The Mets, learning possibly from past mistakes when they let the coaches and managers hang in the wind too long, announced who is staying and going in Jerry’s staff. While not announcing Jerry saying too bluntly, by using the term “Jerry’s staff” it is safe to assume he’s going to have a chance to prove that this year’s faults can be corrected. This is per Metsblog.com.

Jerry Manuel, Hojo, and surprisingly Dan Warthen and Razor Shines have been retained. Razor Shines though will probably be reassigned away from 3B, possibly to 1B coach or bench coach. Sandy Alomar Sr. and Luis Alicea will not be returning. I for one wonder if Sandy Alomar Sr. is retiring, and not fired, since the Mets announced that his son Sandy Alomar Jr and Razor Shines will be reassigned.

I cannot say I’m happy about these moves, although it is interesting that Alomar, one of the holdovers of the Willie Randolph regime, is now gone. The Mets fielding and baserunning woes went beyond injuries, and Jerry and Razor Shines are keys to those areas. The Mets also led the league in walks by a wide margin, which falls on Warthen. This is not a way to indicate to the fan base that corrections are being made, and the only way to prove otherwise won’t be accomplished until 2010. Hopefully that’s not too late.

Update: John Heyman of SI tweets that Wally Backman will be returning to the Mets to manage in the minors. The former 86′er was a coaching candidate before he lied on his resume and has had numerous off the field incidents, but is regarded as a strong coaching mind and a fiery manager in the Billy Martin mold. If true that Backman road to recovery will run through the minors look for reports that he may be Manuel’s replacement should the Mets falter next year early.

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

The Losing Mentality of New York

Have you felt it?

The losses piling on. The ticking of the games going by. The amount of sighs Keith Hernandez is letting out on a daily basis?

Yes, it’s the end of a Losing Season in Flushing.

We’re a little over 2 weeks away from the end of the Damaged 2009 season. And with that comes the Losing Mentality of New York.

What is the Losing Mentality of New York? It’s the feeling that the answers to a horrific season are not simple. That there are greater mysteries to be solved, errors to be corrected, and the reset button must be pressed over an organization.

You see, in the Metro area no team ever JUST goes through a bad season, like other cities. Unless of course you’re an under-the-radar franchise like the New Jersey Devils or perennial losers like the New York Islanders and more recently the New York Knicks.

No, for NY there is always a “bigger picture.” The Mets cannot have just an unlucky year where the stars get hurt and they lose the season. No, there has to be fundamental flaw in the clubhouse, a chemistry issue, a lack of a winning formula, a foul smelling underbelly in what should be prized jewel in Flushing.

It can’t just be there was lack of talent cause of injuries. That’s not a good reason. That’s an excuse you see. Any team should do well with 3 All-star players on the DL for most of the year. There should definitely be replacements who can fill the void left by players the caliber of Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran. It’s easy to go through a season when 2 starting pitchers you relied on for about 12-15 wins apiece go down for half to most of the season. And the rookie replacement. And the replacement to the rookie replacement. And so on…….

This is not to say the organization in blameless. Far from it. Omar Minaya has a lot to answer for, and he did himself no favor by trying to pass the buck to a well-respected beat reporter in Adam Rubin.

However, must there always be a mass upheaval, mass change? Change for change sake doesn’t solve anything. That is why the Mets are in the predicament. Every time they build a system, a plan, they tear it down within 5 years. All of the successful franchises have gone through a period of hell before reaching heaven. This season has been hell, and we may force the Mets to do something stupid, like dealing Reyes or Beltran or Wright, before trying to reach greener pastures.

How many times have we heard someone say, “the injuries are not an excuse.”

No, they are not an excuse.

They are a fact. The Mets would not be in the current predicament if they were not devastated by injuries. Sometimes there are seasons like that. No team survives with 3 All-Star caliber players out for half to most of the season. Look at the struggles the Yankees had when A-rod alone was out! How good are the Phils if you remove Rollins, Utley and Howard? How good are the Dodgers if you remove two starting pitchers who can give the team 12-15 wins?

And that is where the Losing Mentality comes in. It’s making the simple complicated. It’s the fan who thinks admitting the injuries will be an issue will excuse Omar Minaya, Jerry Manuel, and the Wilpons from their mistakes. That it excuses the Collapse of 2007. The Failure of 2008. It’s the idea that if this was acknowledged, that this will give the Mets free reign to do nothing.

It’s the idea it excuses all. It doesn’t.

In order to build a team you have to be able to be passionate about winning, but be able to organize without passion. That means taking into account each and every reason for the fault, and like it or not the injuries are reason number 1.

There obviously will be things done regarding the medical and training staff. The minor league system is already undergoing change. Most importantly, despite what many think the Mets are not using the injuries as an excuse to not acknowledge and work on their needs. They already have admitted that a defensive catcher who will work well with pitchers is a priority. Rumblings are already coming out about #2 pitchers they may be targeting. Manuel has admitted that role players like Pagan and Murphy cannot be relied on without significant additions in other areas.

There is reason to be hopeful about 2010. You don’t need to close your eyes to the most logical reason of the failures of 2009 to not see that. You don’t need to be ranting and raving to see things done to make this team grow. You want to go to the games, watch playoff baseball. You want to win it all. So do the Mets. They know the fan base are bitter, hungry, and angry. But we’re New Yorkers. Let’s be smart and be cognizant of everything before we go off ranting or raving.

We wouldn’t want to be confused with Philly fans, would we?

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

Jeter’s Hit Record: A Mets Perspective

Finally out of the cave, ready to talk some Mets, or Buffalo Bisons, baseball. Maybe about Beltran’s return, or Maine’s short outing tonight (3 IP, 1 Earned Run in essentially a spring training start), or Reyes’s emotional response to critics questioning his desire to come back this season.

I want to come back, but i keep seeing 3 numbers in my head. Numbers 2,721, 4 and the number 2.

It’s been covered all over Nationally and especially locally over the past week leading up to and following Jeter’s breaking Lou Gehrig’s mark. And I couldn’t stand it.

Now, just for background purposes, you should be aware I am not a Yankee-hating type of Met fan. Unless the Mets face them in Interleague, or they face an NL East opponent, or fight for the same free agent/trade target, I am indifferent to their existence.

I don’t like the obnoxious Yankee fan who seems to get more joy out of the Mets losing than the Yanks winning, but the regular Yankee fans are fine. I have more friends who are Yankee fans than Met fans, and often I find them to have insights on the Mets that I don’t since they do not have the emotional connection.

Yet the Jeter record still bothered me. Looking around the internet at various chats and boards about the Mets, I was not the only one.

The question of “Why?” remains. He took over a Yankee record. Not an MLB record. He has a long way to go before he gets to Pete Rose, and I doubt his body will hold out enough for him to make it.

After a while it hit me. After such a long, arduous, and literally painful Met year, this was another reminder of what we want the Mets to be.

No matter how much they differ, people will always compare the two teams. It does not matter the Yankees history, the fact that they are a worldwide brand while the Mets are a national brand, or the differences in wealth between the perspective owners. It doesn’t matter the borough each team plays in, or where the fans primarily come from.

As long as both teams have an NY on their caps, they will always be compared. As well as the players.

The Mets do not have a Lou Gehrig, and chances are they never will. Gehrig is arguably one of the best players in history. Had he not contracted ALS, later known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, it is possible he may have broken some of Babe Ruth’s power records as well.

The crux though is Jeter. Any fan who is now in their late to mid 20′s does not remember 1986. Does not remember when the Mets were on top of the world. What they do remember is a young rookie in 1996 helping the Yankees win the championship. They remember that kid turning into an All-Star, being an important cog in a dynasty in the Bronx.

They remember that shortstop winning a World Series MVP in 2000. All while creating a career based on consistency, integrity, and a reputation for getting clutch hits and smart plays.

The Met fan doesn’t see him fail. We do not follow him like we do our own team, so the reputation and the hardware is what we care about.

In 2003 the Mets called up their own home grown shortstop prodigy in Jose Reyes. A year later, they called up David Wright. As they grew many Met fans made comparisons to the Yankees star. Jose Reyes, for his position, defense and unique skills. David Wright, for his poise, personality, and similar style with more power. Some went about saying they were better, especially in 2006, citing age and other factors.

Then the Mets lost a heartbreaking Game 7 to the eventual World Champions St Louis Cardinals. Then came the Collapse of 2007, and the sequel in 2008. Finally, the Lost Season of the Mets in 2009 to open the new park.

While the Mets young stars faded during the year, the Yankees star opened their new stadium to what appears to be another AL east title. Jeter has not done it alone, like the Mets didn’t lose because of Reyes or Wright alone.

Yet seeing Derek Jeter reach new heights again, his team on top again, and now seeing his name in connection to an all-time great, it is yet another reminder on how LOW things are with the Mets. How far away they are from having this type of Legacy.

This is not to say they may not win it all next year. In the few games just having Beltran back you can see how much different the lineup and defense is without him. A little health, a few smart moves for pitching, shore up the defense, you never know. Don’t expect any consistency from the organization like the Yankees though in the next few years. That is something that can only be learned in time, and the Mets nor their fan base have the patience for it.

It is unfair to compare the Yankees and Mets. It is unfair to compare Wright to Jeter. As long as there is an NY on the cap though, it comes with the territory. The Mets and their homegrown duo have to find a way to get past it. I don’t think they can, but baseball is all about hope.

One is NOT like the other. Both are quite good though.

Congratulations Derek Jeter on breaking the Yankees hit record and cementing your name with one of Baseball’s best.

David Wright and Jose Reyes: get better, get healthy for 2010. Ignore the comparisons if you can. At least you two don’t have a Lou Gehrig to try to measure up to.

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

Wagner Deal not Popular, but Wise

I’ve been reading a lot of negativity about the Wagner deal, but I want to make a few counterpoints. I was initially mad at this too, but then I gave it more thought.

The two draft pics are crux of the negativity regarding this deal. I think draft picks are very important as well, but the value we’re placing them on might be too high.

More importantly, the chances of attaining two picks, or even one, is unrealistic in the current baseball climate.

Wagner wants to close next year. The majority of the teams looking for a closer who will take a risk on a 39 year old coming off Tommy John are unlikely to be big market teams. They’re likely to be teams near the bottom of the standings, who can afford to take the health risk at the position.

Add that to the rumors that he wants to be near his Virginia home, and you’re looking at either Baltimore or Washington signing him. Which means the Mets get a supplemental 1st round pick since the acquiring team’s #1 pick will likely be protected.

The other issue is……..will it even get to that point?

The biggest negativity on Omar this year is he hopes for the best, and oftentimes the opposite happens. He hoped Tatis can duplicate ’08, that Murphy can play left field, that Church will provide solid lineup protection, that Delgado will repeat the 2nd half of 08, that Oliver Perez will get it, that Maine will be fine coming off a new type of shoulder surgery, that Niese can take the 5th spot out of spring training, that Pelfrey can duplicate his 2nd half without succumbing to the Verducci Syndrome, that Putz can regain his old form, etc, etc, etc.

So in the case of Wagner we have 3 Optimistic Points to acquire a single pick, let alone two first rounders:

A. That Wagner will suffer NO setbacks in the next month and be completely healthy for the offseason.

B. That he’ll continue to pitch at a high level worthy of a team banking on a 39 year old as a closer.

C. That a team will value Wagner so much that they will be WILLING TO FORFEIT THEIR OWN DRAFT PICKS.

Do you really see a team, especially a low-market team that is cash strapped and needs the pick more than the Mets do, losing the pick just to sign BILLY WAGNER? I’m sorry, but that’s just crazy in this current baseball economy. Most teams would just trade for a set up man or sign a Type B free agent.

So the Mets will be on the hook for Wagner’s salary for about $5-6m after arbitration, + an addition $3.5m for this year. The Nets didn’t save $3.5m, they saved $8.5 to $9m. It’s less likely they were going to get any better prospects this winter at $5-6M trying to trade him, and they’d still have that much less to use for free agents. Also, has anyone thought that the $3.5M may end up going to sign the Latin American signings?

So you got the Red Sox willing to take the $3.5m, and take a chance on everything going right for Wagner to get the picks, and help the depth of the Mets farm a bit. GRANTED, it’s not a big help, but it is help nonetheless.

I would love to get those picks too, but i just don’t see a scenario where that would happen. You’re looking for too many things to go right. And in a year where everything goes wrong, sometimes a sure thing is better than risking it all and getting nothing.

Update: An addendum to the points above.

Ken Rosenthal points out that the Sox would have to pay $8.4M if the Sox offer arbitration. That financially will likely be the most money Wagner can possibly see this offseason. It’s very possible the Sox won’t offer it and risk having a power struggle with Wagner and Papelbon. However, the Sox may decide to keep him, have him close while they wait for closer prospect Josh Bard to develop, and either deal Papelbon or move him to the rotation.

Buster Olney says Wagner is expected to get multi years offers IF he finishes well. (Not a sure thing coming off TJ surgery). Mlbtraderumors.com points out that as a Type A free agent and a deep closer market including Jose Valverde and Trevor Hoffman, Wagner may have the same issues getting signed as Juan Cruz did this past offseason.

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

Johan Santana to Miss Start – Will Visit Dr Altchek

According to Jerry Manuel, Johan Santana will see Dr David Altchek tomorrow to check his elbow, which Santana says he’s been having discomfort with.

Now all they need is for K-rod to go down and every player who was part of the pre-season promotional packages will be on the DL.

We feel ya, Johan

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

Frenchy – Torn Ligament in Thumb

Yep, another Mets player, arguably the best hitter left in the lineup, might be shelved. He’ll try to play with the ligaments torn.

Corey Sullivan will replace him in the lineup for today’s series matinee.

If you don’t know how this will end you haven’t been watching the Mets this year. I just hope this is for good Karma coming up, and not some we already used.

Posted by Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z