No need to count down the days to when pitchers and catchers report — the Mets may cancel spring training, according to a source close to The Situation.
In their latest cost-cutting move strategy for long-term success, Thomas J. White Stadium Tradition Field Digital Domain Park will remain closed until the Florida State League season begins in early April. Instead of conducting spring training workouts and playing exhibition games, Mets players will be expected to get in shape on their own.
“Players today start working out on their own — usually under the supervision of highly specialized trainers — in the late fall or early winter,” said the source. “Having them come in and go through mindless, worthless exercises such as jumping jacks and rundown drills may actually stall, rather than increase, player conditioning and performance — and we have studies to prove it. For example, there is no evidence suggesting a direct correlation between hitting off a tee and OPS. Similarly, a pitcher’s FIPs has is completely unaffected by PFPs (pitchers’ fielding practice).”
Extending independent training with personal strength and conditioning consultants also takes the financial burden of player conditioning off of the team, but the source insists this move has nothing to do with economics.
“On the surface, sure, it looks like a financial decision,” admitted the source, “but in truth, this is an out-of-the-box initiative designed to produce healthier players who spend less time on the disabled list.”
“Look, our medical history over the past few years has been disappointing, as key players have suffered serious injuries and missed a significant number of games. Our studies suggest that the more time players spend on a ballfield, the more chance they have of getting injured. So, by removing six weeks of spring training, we reduce the risk of an injury occurring.”
The source also suggested that by starting up in April, players are less likely to tire out in the last weeks of the season. “And we all know that fatigue is the number one risk factor for injuries,” he said.
Further, the source had viable explanations for missing out on the head-to-head competition provided by exhibition games.
“Let’s be realistic: no one takes those games seriously anyway,” he said, “most of the MLBers are out of the game by the third or fourth inning. Again, there is no proof that facing an opponent in March does anything to help performance from April through September. And besides, a number of our players compete in winter leagues, so it could be argued that they’ll need the rest from game play.”
And what about player evaluation by the coaching staff? Spring training is often the time when positions are won or lost, and the manager decided who will and won’t make the 25-man roster.
“Spring training competitions are completely overblown and overrated,” the source explained. “Gabe Gross and Jake Fox look like Babe Ruth every March, and what do they do when the real season begins? And if you remember, the winner of last spring’s second base competition was Brad Emaus — and how did that turn out?”
Fair points. So how will the 25-man roster be chosen, pray tell?
“For the most part, we already know of 20-22 players who will definitely be on the roster come Opening Day,” he said, “and the other 3-5, well, we’re looking into both standard sabermetric statistics and proprietary formulas to come up with finalists. Then, we’ll invite those players to the Citi Field clubhouse lounge for a Wii tournament during the last weekend of March. Whoever remains standing at the end of the round-robin, gets a uniform.”
Yesterday, Beltran signed with the Cards and Gio Gonzalez was traded to the Nats.We are trolling for schmucks to hand the Wilpons 20 mill for visiting rights with Mr. Met and a free parking spot.All appearances indicate the Mets have no plans to be competitive in 2012, so cancelling spring training would actually make sense to me.
If the Mets lost Pujols and spent over 20M for an aging OF for two years shortly thereafter, I wonder how many people would sneer at Sandy Alderson.
Come on. Even Grumpy Izzy took a day off.
Merry Christmas all.
Joe,
It is hard to imagine the Mets’ scenario being more depressing. At a minimum your recommendation would spare the diehard fanbase at least some pain and anguish of following the day to day nothingness of Feb and March baseball.
Wouldn’t it save money for the Mets if they canceled the season, too? That way they could use the saved money towards 2028 when they are ready to get back into competetive baseball….Actually, after a little fact checking I just realized the Mets already canceled 2011 baseball.
This was a productive post. Whoa is me for being a Mets fan! Then go root for the Yankees. Be critical, but be productive. Tsk -Tsk, Joe.
?
What constitutes a “productive” post?
Please define and/or quantify. I’m not sure how to write something that would qualify as “productive”.
Something that garners debate, for one. Your usual fair of “here’s my opinion, discuss” is productive. This is just trolling. What discussion are you trying to foster with this?
This article or “Blog” is not at all true for the following reasons:
1. Your only reference leads to an article on Jersey Shore.
2. The regular season starts in April, so how is that the Mets Spring Training will start then? Also, the only expenses in spring training is travel, the players are being paid regardless, they actually make money off the games, so how is this cost cutting? Ever been to Spring Training, it is a lot more than running drills.
3. TheMets have already released publicly their reporting dates and physical exam schedules for players.
4. MLB would not allow it.
Even for a blogger as opposed to a seasoned journalist this was horrible..not to mention from someone who understands business law, you just opened yourself up to legal action from the Mets if they really wanted to.
There are a lot of post on here I shake my head at(most of them are from an author named Glenn). Tony I dont know if I am allowed to award this but I am going to anyway. You just won the most ridiculous response of 2011. You are awarded no points and in fact everyone who read it is now just a little dumber.
Go Mets.
I know, I’m a rarity these days. I use facts, shun idiotic hysterics and possess Ivy League intelligence to make reasonable arguments. But hey, Mike, you seem to be sooooo smart (snicker). If you ran the Mets, what would do you? (Oh this ought to be good)
Glenn I stated in post earlier in the offseason if I ran the mets I would have resigned Reyes signed prince fielder and traded Ike Davis and a prospect of Seattles choice for felix hernedez.
unrealistic? Maybe, but this is very similar to what the Yanks did when they won in 09. Tex CC and AJ. I prob would have gave CB money for 2 years as well.
Sure payroll would have been close to 170 but there wouldnt be a empty seat in citi field all year.
Why because when clicking on something off an actual media website I thought an article was intended have analysis of some kind..If somehow in this post there was, I don’t know something that resembled humor I wouldn’t have written what I did. Unfortunately..didn’t see that.
And in other news, Jason Bay has been sent to Seattle along with a tub of sunflower seeds in return for Felix Hernandez.
Tony and Glenn, I was just having a little fun with you guys. Tony what can I say if you still dont get the sarcasim you dont get it what can I say. And Glenn no hard feelings but I just tend to disagree with every point you make on here. After all the only thing that is 100% true is we are all fools for being on a website about the mets in december. Right?
Have a safe and happy hollidays.
Tony, it is a joke.
Thanks for this site!!!!!!!! Its well needed. Have a happy holidays and remember, except for the Pirates everyone gets better eventually……. And Tony think the article might have been in jest? mebbee!
See above..I didn’t realize when I clicked this I was paying ESPN insider for access to poor attempts of humor.
We need a laugh. Even Izzy parked his rage. Nice going JJ.
It’s going to be a long season, no matter what the starting date is.
Who knew Jeff Wilpons best friends (Glenn and Tony) now post on this site?
Must be new Mr. Met donor prospects.
LOL !!!!!!
Merry Xmas everyone. Be blessed!
Our common thread “Los Mets’ will continues so , lets enjoy Los Mets….the next generation…(K2?).
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/wright_staying_put_i_dont_think_so/8896960
Mine from my 12’21 post re the Mets Shutting down their Rookie League team:
METS TO ELIMINATE MAJOR LEAGUE TEAM
Jeff Wilpon, COO and Idiot Son, announced that the Mets have decided to dissolve their major league team and sell off the real property under Citifield. Mr. Wilpon said:
“As an organization, we have concluded that our resources are better employed in putting together the best AAA team possible. Our goal is to play meaningful games in August. This in no way reflects on my family’s financial resources or our commitment to our fans.”
In other news, Fernando Martinez will return to the DL, with a debilitating hamstirng injury resultign form his getting out of bed.
How do you cancel spring training? Bad idea.