July 28: Afternoon Mets Links and Open Thread
MetsGazette – Tom Greenhalgh says the Mets will have to go 42-20 to win the division.
MetsLifer – Dave at MetsLifer thinks the Mets need another starting pitcher, but he’s convinced they won’t acquire one.
MetsMerizedOnline – Joe D wishes the Mets were motivated by winning and not by ticket sales. Has anyone else noticed that the Mets seem to make one big ticket acquisition every off-season since Omar took over? Just one… just enough to keep us interested.
MLB Trade Rumors – MLBTR is reporting that the Mets are seeking a reliever who is “overpriced” and “underperforming.” Is this bizarro world?
MyCentralJersey.com – Bill Pulsipher just signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League. Neither here nor there… But still somewhat interesting, to me, at least.
TONIGHT’S GAME
The Mets (51-49) look to make in two wins in a row against the St. Louis Cardinals (55-45). Johan Santana (8-5, 2.79) will face Jaime Garcia (9-4, 2.21).
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Yes, loge, some of us have noticed. Its kind of been a theme of my posts… I call it the Czechvar theory
I know, wohjr… I was mixing some sarcasm with a quasi-rhetorical question. Your brand of cynicism is already well-noted and very much appreciated. A true Mets fan.
For all you do, this Bud’s for you, wohjr.
But you will have to forgive my ignorance. Why do you call it the Czechvar theory? I imagine it is something to do with the Czechvar/Budvar beer dispute, but I’m clueless about how that relates to the Mets.
Enlighten me.
Ahh, the czechvar theory. It is shorthand for what we all know to be true– namely that the Wilpons strive to put out a team just good enough to get patrons at Shea. Because they were so ravaged by Madoff, the Wilpons want to straddle the divide between total rebuild (this would cost money b/c attendance would go down for a time and they can’t afford to light the scoreboard if ticket sales are down) and committing totally to the hilt (like the big Stein, because, again, THEY ARE BROKE. I also think the Wilpons view owning the franchise more as an investment akin to a dividend that pays off quarterly rather than true patronage and total commitment to winning… which is ironic because look at what george did with his investment… $8mill —–> $ 1 billion +).
Thus we have gotten these moves over the past few years not at all designed to build a winning team but rather to build a team that gets press and put fannies in the seats. So last year the problem was power… great just throw a contract at JBay the fans will consider the problem solved! Never mind going into the season with Ollie Perez and John Maine and no other starters! That’s why they’re focused on “meaningful games in september”… not because it means the Mets might be making the playoffs… but because that means people will still be buying tickets!!!! A lot of the impetus for the rebuild of Shea into Citi was centered around luxury boxes and high-end concessions. Honestly, where else can you get a $9 imported czech beer? At Citi field that’s where! They are just so transparently desperate for cash… and so I call it the czechvar theory– they need people buying beers and lobster rolls and shake shack and all the rest. That is the bottom line MO for this franchise and damn its depressing. We need the Russian billionaire!
That’s pure gold. I’m with you 100%.
Dropping in to say you guys are the best. Always appreciate the links.
As for an overpriced reliever, though Chad Qualls isn’t incredibly overpriced (400something/year if I remember correctly) I could see the Mets making a run for him. If you eliminate this year, he’s been a quality reliever his entire career. He wouldn’t cost the Mets very much in terms of prospects
No problem, Tom. Thanks for stopping by.
But I think we have to agree to disagree on Qualls. Smells alot like Billy Taylor to me.
Well, I’m not sure if I would be for or against pursuing him. I just think it’s the type of move Omar Minaya would make
Oh ok. I see what you mean. I think I’d give Parnell a shot down the stretch. He’s certainly been better than Qualls this season.