Posted on by Shannon Shark @metspolice

Could the Mets go into rebuilding mode?

This was in the comments, but I think Sparks makes a good argument using my own words (the quote in the first line).  What does everyone think?

Here’s Sparks:

“No, the Mets can’t go into rebuilding mode. Not in this town in this decade.”

Uh, exactly what do they have to lose at this point? Half the entries to this blog are about how big a joke the franchise has become and how the fans simply aren’t buying what the Mets are selling anymore. What difference does it make if people aren’t buying tickets because the team is in transition or they’re not buying tickets simply because the team is altogether broken? At least the former option offers one some hope.

Wilpon just got named the worst owner in the game by _Forbes_. Is his “brand” going to suffer any more if he actually looks toward a long-term solution instead of pretending there’s not a problem?

Honestly, at this point, today, what do they really have to lose by blowing it up–from the top down; that’s important–and putting it back together? Any combination of Wright, Reyes, and Santana would make a pretty good foundation to build upon. Somebody just has to put the right pieces around them, and I’d much rather accept that that will take a few years to do the right way than be forced to tolerate any more of Mr. Autonomy’s pitiful attempts at solving problems months after they’ve already arisen.

7 Replies to “Could the Mets go into rebuilding mode?”

  1. What do the Mets have to gain by rebuilding? Nothing.

    The Mets have very few long term contracts right now. That _is_ basically rebuilding. If their prospects come through, in Fernando Martinez, Thole, Davis, Havens, Meija, Niese, etc.. they just need to throw in a piece or two here and there to be competitive, and then address the parts that don’t work and go from there.

    Sure, they could sell off Beltran and some slightly useful pieces like Francoeur or K-Rod or Maine if they do well, but it’s hard to say they could get anything with any more chance of succeeding at the key positions than they’ve got. You can never have too many pitching prospects but they’ve got possible prospects for SP, C, 1B, 2B, OF.. Obviously not all these guys will succeed, but the Mets aren’t far from competitive this season if they’re not their already. So why throw that out for a losing season by giving up this year? I find it hard to believe that the Mets aren’t making money, and not playing for a year or two isn’t going to make their payroll cap higher for 2012.

    So what is there to gain by selling off pieces? Nobody is blocked. Is it just a thought that some fans are worried they’ll be disappointed again and would rather the Mets come out in April and give up rather than risk heartache in September? Why? Just don’t watch baseball this season then.

  2. I’ve been pushing rebuilding for at least 9 months now. Rebuilding means they trash the GM and Manager, coaching staff, and big contracts, and bring in new baseball minds. Go with youth that will build a foundation that we can have for many years to come.

  3. Ceetar, nobody’s worried about being disappointed. For this team to even be in a playoff race will take a miracle. But therein lies the problem: the Mets are still selling themselves as a contender despite obviously not being one.

    The rotation is still on thin ice, the defense has not only not been upgraded but has been hurt by the Beltran news, and last we checked, they’re still playing in a cavernous ballpark not suited to winning 8-7 every night.

    Unfortunately, not watching is very much a viable option. All indications are that many fans haven’t even waited until April to give up. I’ve yet to see one prediction anywhere that said better than 3rd place. That’s not guarding against disappointment; that’s just an honest assessment of the team as presently constituted. As I said in my guest post last week, it’s one thing to support a struggling team that knows where it stands and is taking steps to fix it, but supporting a team full of flaws that honestly thinks it’s competing for a title is just plain masochistic and people aren’t going to do it.

  4. Sparks, they were predicted to win last year, so why should I take any predictions this year at face value? They’re tainted with the same negativity you’re suggesting. Sure, there are a lot of question marks, but they’re question marks, not periods. if Perez and Pelfrey do well then this team will definitely be in the thick of things, if not better. The defense may be average at places (2b, LF, RF) but it’s above average at SS/3B hopefully CF by May.

    I agree they should fire most of the coaches and probably Omar, but what do they really gain by giving up on this year by ‘rebuilding’? I don’t think bringing in Backman to manage would be setting this team back, it’s a lateral move at worse.

    Are you suggesting they just release Maine and go with Nieve and Niese? Meija?

    I’m not quite sure what you want to do or how it’d be accomplished or why. Bay is good, and other than that the only old guys are C and 2B. Castillo has gotten on base and there is no real upgrade and if we’re talking rebuilding..what..Ruben Tejada? Havens? Not sure those guys are ready, even on a rebuilding team. Thole is already the plan for C and he may be here sooner than later anyway.

  5. The Mets have been rebuilding, with very few exceptions (i.e. 1985 to 1986 offseason), for the last 48 years.

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