11-12 Offseason

Can the Mets Find Investors?

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As you probably know, the Mets are in severe financial straits and in dire need of cash. Toward that end, they’re trying to raise about $200M by convincing 10 investors to pony up $20M each, in return for the following:

– 4% interest in the ballclub
– “access” to Mr. Met (but not Mrs. Met)
– free parking space at Citi Field
– access to a luxury box that can’t be otherwise sold
– some kind of a fantasy camp type of “workout”
– chance to throw out first pitch of a ballgame
– discount on Mets merchandise
– an assigned gopher / executive assistant
– one free trip with the team during the season
– a business card that states “owner”
– one free weekend stay in Port St. Lucie during spring training
– unspecified luncheons with unspecified former Mets players
– an offseason luncheon with the Mets GM and manager
– option to cash out your share after 6 years with 3% interest

Does this sound like a good deal?

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2011 Evaluation: Justin Turner

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The biggest competition in Port St. Lucie last March was at second base, where Luis Castillo, Dan Murphy, and Brad Emaus auditioned for the starting position. Oh, there was mention of Justin Turner, but the scrappy utilityman was written off fairly early; even the names Luis Hernandez and Chin-lung Hu were ahead of Turner on the depth chart. Mainly because he still held an option, it was a foregone conclusion that Turner would start the season in AAA and be summoned only if some kind of catastrophe occurred at the keystone.

In fact, the Mets were so certain of how things would turn out in the middle of the infield, Emaus was listed as their second baseman on the MLB All-Star ballot.

Funny how the best laid plans of mice and Mets often fall astray …

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Addendum To Mets’ Cutting GCL Club

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After reading, watching, and listening to several perspectives on the Mets’ decision to eliminate their Gulf Coast League team, I have a few bullet points to present for conversation: – Various reports confirm that a GCL club costs less than $1M to operate. If the Mets have to find ways to skim such a relatively … Read more

The Lesson of Generation K

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This question was emailed to me by “Dan B”: Hey Joe, I keep hearing that we are basing this whole rebuilding phase around 2014 and our pitching prospects. Well, I lived through 1969 and our pitching prospects won us a World Series. I also lived through Generation K. I look at our current prospects and … Read more

Mets Cutting Rookie League Team

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According to Adam Rubin, the Mets are eliminating a minor league team:

The Mets will eliminate their Gulf Coast League team based in Port St. Lucie for 2012, not Kingsport. The cost-saving move still leaves the Mets will eight affiliates, including two in the Dominican Republic, which is more than most organizations, the Mets noted.

The Mets’ statement makes no mention of Kingsport’s future for 2013 and beyond. It reads: “For 2012, we will be conducting our three Rookie League teams in Kingsport, Tenn., and out of our facility in the Dominican Republic and will not operate a team in the Gulf Coast League.”

Does this mean the Mets have been lying to us?

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