Before we begin, I want to remind you to VOTE
The following is an opinion piece.
So let me get this right Steve, I want to make sure I have the timeline right.
Buck was let go so that whoever the new baseball boss was going to be could have a clean slate. That was your choice. David knew nothing about it. All you. Fine. Let’s agree to that. All you.
The next day or so David Stearns was hired, and he had nothing to do with letting Buck go. Right. What if he had wanted Buck, wasn’t that an option? Steve did you even ask him about Buck? Surely you didn’t let Buck go if that’s who David wanted – that would be odd. But you didn’t give David that choice. All you. David had no idea. Never spoke to Buck, never met Buck, never even heard of the guy.
Anyway, so David Stearns comes in – and as far as I can tell interviewed Craig Counsell, someone named Andy Green (a Cubs bench coach) and Carlos Mendoza. And that’s it? The future of the franchise. A search of guy that is a Brewer-Bro, and two random bench coaches. That was the search.
Yesterday, out of nowhere comes a news story that the Mets have hired Mendoza. WHAT? What happened to Counsell? Aren’t Former Wilpons Intern David Stearns and Counsell Brewer-bros? Doesn’t Steve have tons of money?
Apparently money doesn’t talk, or Steve is suddenly cheap, or maybe David got played by his Brew-bro because about 10 minutes later we hear Counsell is going to the Cubs for a record amount of money.
Now let’s go deep conspiracy…
It seems to me, and what do I know as I am blogging from my mom’s basement, that the Mets got played and reacted fast, probably too fast.
They probably got wind that Counsell was going to the Cubs.
If that gets announced, before the Mets make a move, then whoever the Mets hire looks like their second choice.
So after a quick scramble in Queens, the Mets decide to go first and leak the Mendoza thing to whoever they leaked it to. That makes Mendoza look like who they wanted all along. RIIIIIIGHT. We totally always wanted Carlos Mendoza.
Remember, Steve let Buck go, and Stearns had nothing to do with it.
Then, between September 12th and November 6th, Former Wilpons Intern David Stearns conducted an exhaustive search to see who should be the next manager – and interviewed three guys.
And, what a coincidence, Former Wilpons Intern David Stearnssettled on Carlos Mendoza just a few minutes before the Cubs picked their own manager.
Riiiiiiiight.
Don’t kid a kidder Steve.
Now let’s look ahead…..it’s the press conference. Steve and Stearns tell us about the new culture. Carlos relates to today’s players. He has one of the smartest baseball minds in the game. Of everyone we interviewed (three guys) he was easily the best fit for us. Been there, heard it before.
Steve Gelbs always get the first question. “Carlos, how does it feel to be the Mets manager?.”
But then……question 2. And now on Carlos Mendoza’s big day, every question is going to be about Craig Counsell until the Mets pull the “lets throw it to the Spanish reporter” move to break up the narrative-gone-wrong….and then when they get back to newspaper type guys it will all be back to how NONE OF THIS STORY ADDS UP!
At some point everyone will realize that despite “Uncle Steve’s” money, this is a rebuild. (Also don’t ignore that every release now says owners “Steve and Alex Cohen” or similar language )
So my guess….Carlos Mendoza gets two years like all Mets managers seem to get. The local broadcasters will tell us this spring how impressed they are by Mendoza, as they do with all new managers.
And then after two more wasted seasons, Mendoza will be let go, and the Mets will hire 71 year old Joe Maddon….an experienced manager to steady the ship. And around and around the cycle goes.
Good luck spinning this one David. You were played.
Meanwhile, let’s see how Steve appeases the masses. Will he throw some money at some players? You have to market something? Will he overpay Pete Alonso (decade long mistake) – probably. You can’t market “Come see Pete Alonso’s Walk Year” You can’t market “Come see Carlos Mendoza!” So Steve will need to make a move.
And if all that fails…retire some more numbers.
You boys got played….adn Steve….your new big hire let you down and made you look bad.
