I don’t think it is proper English, but back in Queens we learned the phrase, “Where’s your head at?”
That’s my question for Mets fans this morning (especially since Mets Police has this new not-annoying comment system.)
I just did the news and blogs rounds and here’s what I am seeing:
The Mets are being compared to Steinbrenner at his worst.
Free agents are waiting too longvfor offers to they move on.
Billy Beane was waiting for Omar to outbid him for Sheets.
John Smoltz is the best option now.
Blurbs using the words Pedro and Martinez.
Logical discussions about Nieve vs
I’m figuring that Omar & Jeff were right — the guys available this winter weren’t breaking the bank for.
I’m also thinking we were sold a bill of goods when we were told this would be a competitive team.
Short of sending the payroll up to $200 million to land Bay, Holliday, Lackey & Sheets while fixing the infield defense, the Mets were not going to make a credible playoff run in 2010. I’m not saying it would have been a smart plan to do that, but it would have been nice to admit we’re at the start of a multi-year rebuilding project and do a little more to get it moving.
In any given year a lot of things have to go right for any team to make the playoffs or win the WS. Not getting one of these pitchers just means more has to go right for the Mets, but it’s not impossible.
I would’ve taken Garland (who wanted the west coast) or Sheets (who was probably big a risk), but there wasn’t a lot of value out there. Omar’s plan all along was to not overpay for mediocrity, and he’s stuck to it. But he also knows we need another pitcher and I have to think he’s still trying to get one, via trade.
If they don’t want to spend this off-season, fine…I get it. Omar is a lame-duck GM and we want to have an enticing situation to attract the next GM talent at the end of the year. Here is my problem with it (and with everything this front office does)…they treat us like we, the fans, are dumb. Why blatantly lie to us in that famed Francesa interview at the end of the season? Why promise us pitching, speed and defense, and then field a team with huge question marks in the starting rotation, a slow no-power first baseman, an over the hill 2B with ZERO range, a SS coming off leg surgery, a 3B with warning track power, 4 backup catchers, no starting catcher, a weak middle of the pen, a closer coming off his worst year, and a power bat in LF with questionable knees?!?!? Does that sound like the championship-calibur team that I was promised?
Face it guys, that promise was about as sincere as the 20% “average” discount in ticket prices.
I do not know where to start. First of all, there was, despite the claims of we have a plan, we like our plan, ABSOLUTELY NO PLAN WHATSOEVER.
If the Mets truly wanted to reshape the team, there were two ways to do it. Sign Figgins, and tell him, we are starting with you as our left fielder, but if we get a power threat, we will pay you extra to play second base. Eating Castillo’s contract would have been one way to show the fans you are serious. Then sign Lackey. Neither one of these guys were the Mets even in on, because they have NO clue. Signing Figgins, would have given the team a great one-two at the top of the order, (Now Seattle’s is), as well as a back up lead-off hitter if reyes is still hurt. Lackey would give you a great one-two in the starting rotation.
Plan two, and much more daring was Roy Hallady. This would have basically just cost the Mets money. How you say? Simple…since we all know how much the Mets love bad contracts, this was easy. How fast do you think Toronto would have gotten Hallady on a plane, if Teflon Omar had called up the Jays and said, we will offer you players A&B (middling prospects) for Hallady AND Vernon Wells? Is Wells contract bad? Yes…but no worse than Castillo’s & Perez’s. This would have used up some of Jeffy Boy’s inheritance, but hell, how many season tickets would trhey have sold in the 48 hours after the deal? Jeff would have made his money back, but that would be bold thinking, which is the antithesis of the Mets.
Hudson was begging for the Mets to sign him, but the Mets are only interested in guys that are 35 years old or older, and we will not even get into the medical decisions. I have never seen a team so mismanag their injured players. Constantly making the manager (no matter who it is) play short handed.
If they are going to continually try to catch lightning in a bottle with players, then at least spend the money on the manager and bring back Bobby Valentine, who is great with those kinds of teams.
If you have not had your eyes gloss over reading this by now, great, although I can’t imagine you haven’t. Either way…sorry for the insane length of the rant, but as fellow Mets’ fans, you know there is yet so much more than can be written then has already been.
I’m laughing today. I saw the new commercial for season tickets yesterday on tv with their “theme” for the season. It’s all in shades of blue and orange with Wright, Maine, Murphy, etc. saying that they believe in… My personal favorite was Wright saying “We believe in the orange, blue, and you.” Well, guess what? I don’t believe in you. I don’t believe in the Mets anymore. I think of them as a joke, something to make fun at and see how ridiculous things can get.
Oh and the commercial ended with BIG letters saying that season tickets were still available. Hmm, I guess a lot of others aren’t believing either.
My head is spinning after I spoke to a Sales Rep trying to get me to renew my two plans from 2009 no way, even with Jose back—maybe). Nice guy. He listened to my complaints for 30 minutes, was sympathetic, acknowledged the “guys upstairs” were listening to us and trying to improve, but still refused to refund my $26 for Section 504, row 1, seat 1. So Metsies: You lost a ton of 2010 dough for not doing the right thing by me for $26 stinin’ dollars. Pathetic.
The Mets Plan is relive the glorious era of Donald Grant…