November 15, 2013 13-14 Offseason Joe Janish

The News is Wishing Upon A Star

So, there were a number of interesting rumors, developments, and quotes related to the Mets during this past week that stirred the pot on the hot stove. A quick recap …

Scott Boras described the Mets as NASA without astronauts.

In a similarly out-of-space comment, Jeff Wilpon built suspense by suggesting that there were “several balls in the air” and a big announcement was imminent. A perplexed Sandy Alderson told reporters he was surprised and confused (those simultaneous reactions describe the perpetual look on the face of my Italian Greyhound, by the way). Reporters backtracked on their reports. The next day, it was announced that Huey Lewis and the News would be part of the Mets 2014 promotional schedule. Jeffy proclaimed it was hip to be square, while Mets fans responded, in unison, “I want a new drug — one that won’t make me sick.”

Jhonny Peralta appears to be asking for what the Mets consider to be an out-of-this-world contract.

The Mets may be interested in a reunion with former farmhand Nelson Cruz. Or not. His price may be too high.

Marlon Byrd signed with the Phillies for what is likely double what the Mets were hoping to offer the aforementioned Cruz.

For about five minutes, the Mets were rumored to be serious about going after Curtis Granderson.

Jeff Wilpon observed that free agent asking prices were “crazy.” According to witnesses, he resembled this during the statement:

The Mets were reportedly willing to give up a draft pick to sign a big-time free agent. Then, they were reportedly unwilling to do so.

Ike Davis is on the trading block. No one really cares.

The Mets are interested in Chris Young. This time, though, it’s the other Chris Young.

The Mets could be interested in Dexter Fowler, who is being shopped by the Rockies and receiving a response similar to Ike Davis, above.

Those were the highlights of the week. Anything in particular that you’d like to discuss? Bring it up in the comments.

Joe Janish

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.

DaveSchneck November 15, 2013 at 9:20 am

Joe,
Gotta love the modern world of technology, which has turned NY sports reporters into TMZ/paparazzi. Adam Rubin went to Wharton business school to hang out in a hotel lobby and run to Jeff Wilpon for a space cadet-type statement to tweet to the world of virtual Met fans, with their entertainment world hinging on every front office word. Actually, it is more entertaining than recent Met seasons. Anyhow, Met fans have been waiting several years, and by Dec. 12 we/they should know the truth. that is the day the winter meetings break up, and while there will be plenty of transactions after that date, if Alderson and his band of million dollar suits fail to make significant improvements by that time, then I think it will be safe to say that Izzy has won the contest and we should all chip in and send him a fruit basket and a few tickets to Huey Lewis night – from Stubhub of course, we couldn’t possibly pay money directly to this ownership.
izzy November 15, 2013 at 10:02 am

Dave; do you realize that this GM has been so bad that Met nation actually started getting excited when Jeffy W was allowed out of his hole and proclaimed the Mets were about to do something. Of course he was clueless but it gives one pause and hope that the Wilpons are finally tired of this do nothing arrogant GM (who might be equal to fred in arrogance) and be ready to say no to his overpriced option next Fall. If so, we can only hopethey remember that all those failed GMs need to go with him. And did you all remember that NL manager of the year Clint Hurdle was one of the lucky guys to be deemed unworthy to work for Alderson!!!!!!!! Congrats Clint. He is truly one of the good guys, overcame a lot of problems, and I’m actually glad for him he was picked to come here. Sandyy Alderson sure can evaluate people…..NOT
- crozier November 16, 2013 at 10:41 pm
  
  Izzy, I also like Clint Hurdle. But Clint wouldn’t have turned the Mets lineup into 90+ wins. He didn’t win the MVP, hit 36 home runs, or compile a 3.27 composite ERA. And he didn’t assemble the talent. He did, to his credit, agree with the new approach of evaluating talent and working with the front office and five analysts to best use it, and championed the methodology with his team. The results speak for themselves. And good for the Pirates; I only wish they made the WS.
  - micalpalyn November 19, 2013 at 3:28 am
    
    Dear fellow suferers & Joe:
    
    CLINT HURDLE: Joe will testify I have sounded him out several times. Clint was a young up and coming manager who was in the Mets system in the days of Dave Johnson.
    His teams have done nothing short of miracles…period.
    
    To Crozier (and Izzy) I say this: From 2008-2013, We can argue the managers have contributed little or nothing to the Mets on the field. In that time Clint has turned scubs and mosaic patterns into contenders over and over again.
    
    In 2005, when Omar hired Randolph, One retired Manager threw his name in at the 11th hour…one Jim Leyland. Point being how much a manager can influence the entire destiny of a club.
- crozier November 16, 2013 at 10:51 pm
  
  Maybe I’m just dense or something, but I don’t grasp Boras’s metaphor. NASA without astronauts, I suppose, suggests extraordinary brainpower and innovation without the resources to execute a vision. But though I’m not anti-Alderson as so many in this community clearly are, I’ve yet to be convinced that the vision or brainpower is present.
  
  But regardless, the metaphor falls flat, since NASA is clearly capable of groundbreaking results without men and women in space (though it helps, I grant you that).
  
  Perhaps an analogy closer to Joe’s heart would be applicable here: the Mets are winemakers without vines.
DanB November 15, 2013 at 1:12 pm

I found it so ironic that Boyz II Men and Huey Lewis were picked to perform. They are old muscians who are past their prime so they can be signed cheap. Jeff Wilpon definately has a M.O. What’s next, pet rock give away day? And people question why I am pessimistic about this off season? The fish stinks from the head down.
Sidd Finch November 15, 2013 at 6:53 pm

I’m beginning to wonder if the Mets really have the $$$ to spend this offseason. After all, debt doesn’t just disappear into thin air.
DanB November 18, 2013 at 9:19 am

I was thinking, how did the Red Sox lead the league in wins and win the World Series when their payroll was over $150 million? And they had six players making over $10 million/year? And they made some bad signings in past couple years? I though, sarcastically, that was impossible? Next you will tell me they make money, too!
- James69 November 18, 2013 at 3:54 pm
  
  I am going to sleep as a Mets fan. Wake me up in April of 2015 when Harvey returns. Before then, it’s all window dressing. The Mets are doomed to win between 70 and 80 games for all eternity, or until the rotation is lights out, which ever comes first.
- James69 November 18, 2013 at 3:55 pm
  
  This just in. Mets will be moving the fences back again next year to cut down on the number of souvenirs and safe on new baseballs.
Sach25 November 19, 2013 at 3:26 pm

I guess it’s going to be more of the same- bringing in a bunch of scrapheap FA on minor league deals looking to catch lightning in a bottle like the Mets did last season with Byrd, Hawk and Rice and maybe swinging a trade for a cheap source of credible HR power like Kole Calhoun from the Halos. Jeff, Sandy & Paul buy boxes of chocolate from a 99 cents store.

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