On Friday during a blogger-only conference call I had the opportunity to pose a question to Mets GM Sandy Alderson.
My question:
You hired a new field coordinator and a new scouting director. Do you bring any kind of special philosophy in terms of scouting amateur talent and developing it through the minor league system?
Sandy Alderson’s answer: Continue reading
Many Mets fans are lamenting the lack of a big-time player acquisition this winter, which is due to the Mets’ limited finances. The team just doesn’t have the money nor the wherewithal to bring in someone who can make an impact in 2011.
Or do they?
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and the Mets need to think out of the box. How about signing Jose Canseco?
When you’re done laughing, consider the following:
– Jose was a central figure in Sandy Alderson’s success as a GM in Oakland
– Canseco is one of the few available hitters who can make Citi Field’s dimensions seem small
– His presence will sell tickets
– He’ll come cheap; likely he’ll play for the MLB minimum
Of course, Jose has his negatives — age being the most concerning. But advanced age didn’t prevent the Mets from hiring Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins, did it? Both of those men were hired because they had experience, and previous success at the MLB level — two things that Jose also has. And before you say it’s crazy to sign a 46-year-old free agent, remember the Mets did exactly that on this day in 2005, when the Mets inked Julio Franco to a 2-year, $2.2M contract. Hopefully I don’t need to remind you that the last time the Mets made it to the postseason was 2006, with Franco appearing in 90 games as one of their top players off the bench and a calming influence in the clubhouse.
There is some concern as to whether Jose can still play the field (some may argue he was never able to play the field), but I’m not suggesting that the Mets make him an everyday player; and can he really be much worse in a corner OF position than Fernando Tatis?
As for the steroid thing — which I’m sure has been on your mind since reading the headline of this post — perhaps you are not aware that Jose Canseco stopped taking steroids in 2008, and has been clean ever since. Of course we don’t know for certain whether he can still swing a bat with as much power as he had when he was juiced, but what is the harm in giving him a tryout to find out? If it turns out he can still hit, sign him to a minor-league contract, invite him to spring training, and see what happens. At worst, he gets cut. At best, the Mets get a very cheap, big-name slugger who will put fannies in the seats.
Is there a bigger name, or a bigger bat, currently available for a lower cost?
This past Friday, the New York Mets held a conference call between General Manager Sandy Alderson and a group of Mets bloggers. No beat writers, TV reporters, radio jockeys, or other “traditional” media types were allowed.
During the call, each blogger was allowed to ask Sandy one question. He answered every question in detail, and addressed each blogger by his/her first name. There was no hint of annoyance or condescension in his tone — he treated the call and the bloggers with complete professionalism.
One of my favorite Q&A’s from the call came in an exchange between Sandy and one of my blogging colleagues, Shannon Shark of MetsPolice (if you haven’t seen MetsPolice it is well-worth visiting regularly):
Shannon Shark, Mets Police: Hey there, again, thank you so much for giving us your time of day. I guess that leads into my question. How are you finding dealing with this particular passionate fanbase and even to the point of having to deal with blogs. I can’t believe you’re listening to me ask you a question. Does that go through your head, why do I have to talk to this guy from the upper deck?
Sandy Alderson: Actually, I’m very familiar with the blogosphere and understand how it makes connections with fans. The various platforms for communication these days are different, more varied. People are going to form their own opinions, you all will form your own opinions, but at least if you’ve heard from me you’ll be able to do it on the basis of direct communication rather than something indirect or secondhand.
I don’t mind spending the time. I think that’s part of what one buys into here in New York. In a sense, you guys probably reflect the most passionate elements of the fanbase. If I’m right about that, it’s probably as important, or more important, to be in contact with you all than it is with any of the rest of the media.
Sandy indicated that this was the first but not last such call — he would make himself accessible to we bloggers again at some point in the future.
Quite a breakthrough for the blogosphere, and perhaps a hint of how blogs and bloggers will be viewed and handled by pro sports franchises in the future. Progress like this suggests that the fans have a voice — and their team is listening.
By the way, if you want to see a transcript of the entire call, visit Amazin’ Avenue, where James K did an outstanding job of typing up the entire thing.
More coverage from the call can be found from Faith and Fear in Flushing, Mets Police, MetsGrrl, Kranepool Society, MetsMerizedOnline, NY Baseball Digest, OnTheBlack (includes a video), OptimisticMetsFan (aka, Ceetar), Always Amazin’, and of course, MetsBlog. (If I missed anyone, my apologies — please let me know in the comments and I’ll update this post.)
With the annual baseball winter meetings over, my wife suggested I do a list of “bests”, “worsts”, and “mosts”. A clever idea, except I’m not very good at these type of things.
But, I’ll give it a try, and then ask you to please provide YOUR bests, worsts, and mosts in the comments section. Have some fun with it.
Most Defensive Press Conference: Derek Jeter
No worries, Jetes, I didn’t think you were being greedy. Really. (Not)
Most Offensive Press Conference: Derek Jeter
I, for one, was personally offended.
Most Desperate To Gain Respect: Washington Nationals
7 years and $126M committed to Jayson Werth will do that to a team.
Most Out Of Their Minds: Washington Nationals
7 years and $126M for Jayson Werth should have them committed to an insane asylum.
Most Humorous Response To A Team’s Free Agent Insanity: Sandy Alderson
For his joke, “I thought Washington was trying to REDUCE the national debt.”
Youngest-looking 46-Year-Old GM: Kenny Williams
Seriously, this guy looks like he’s about 31-32, and could still run out to play left field (or flatten a third-base coach
Most Intriguing Former Cy Young Winner Seeking a Coaching Job: Frank Viola
Does he really need to “get his foot in the door”? The guy was a Cy Young Award Winner and threw a better change-up than Johan Santana. As it turns out, it appears the Mets will be interviewing him for a position. Get him to Port St. Lucie in February and attach him to Oliver Perez for six weeks, and maybe the Mets will get something out of that last $12M.
Best Dressed: Harold Reynolds
He always looks sharp, even when demonstrating double-play technique in a three-piece suit — his tie never moves!
Worst Dressed: Terry Francona
During an interview on MLB Network, Francona wore a gray T-shirt that looked like it belonged to his big brother. It wasn’t really THAT bad, but when everyone else is wearing a brand-new suit, it looks kind of sloppy.
Best Six-Gallon Hat: Tracy Ringolsby
Ringolsby used to wear a ten-gallon hat, but due to the Rocky Mountain News folding and the economy, Tracy had to trade down.
Best Hair: Kevin Millar
Much better than Jeter’s.
While the Yankees continue with their ho-hum, failed pursuit of $100M free agents, the Mets succeeded in making a big splash at the winter meetings, adding two players to their 40-man roster.
In this morning’s Rule 5 Draft, the Mets chose infielder Brad Emaus and pitcher Pedro Beato.
If you want to know about these two individuals, go back to my post yesterday previewing the prospects of the Rule 5 Draft. You will see both Emaus and Beato at the very top (though, Beato was first and Emaus second on my list, and the Mets picked them in the reverse, so don’t email me for lottery numbers — I obviously cannot see the future).
I fully expect to see Emaus compete for the second base job, and Beato for a spot in the bullpen, during spring training. Whether they make the team will be remain to be seen, but at least we have something to look forward to other than some bazillion-dollar thirtysomething pitcher who would hog up most of the payroll for the next seven years.
In case you missed it …
Carl Crawford signed with the Red Sox.
Boof Bonser signed a minor-league deal with the Mets.
George Sherrill signed with the Braves. Shrewd deal; he should bounce back and be a tough LOOGY / occasional setup man.
Dioner Navarro signed with the Dodgers. He was my first choice for the Mets, but, you can’t have everything in life.
Miguel Cairo signed a TWO-YEAR deal with the Reds. Seriously. Two years. I thought he was out of baseball since 2005, and here he is getting a two-year contract. Color me stunned and amazed.
Jeff Francoeur signed with the Royals. I’m sure my friend Rob Neyer is beyond thrilled with this news.
Wil Nieves signed with the Brewers. No one cares.
Jack Cust signed with the Mariners. He will be their Designated Pinch Hitter, since the Adulterated League is still experimenting with that position for people who can’t stand in the field without endangering their physical well-being.
Paul Konerko signed a 3-year deal with the White Sox, mainly because he thought it would be cool to play 15 years with one team. I’m not kidding — he really said that. Noble, and proof that it’s not always all about the money (at least, not publicly).
If you were riding the Carlos Beltran – to – Boston rollercoaster on Wednesday, it’s time to get off — the Red Sox have agreed to sign Carl Crawford to a 7-year, $142M contract.
So, no need for the Bosox to acquire Beltran. Additionally, the wild fantasy of seeing Crawford play in a park built for him — Citi Field — is also squashed (not that there was ever a shred of possibility of it happening).
If you are standing, please sit down — this is big news.
OK, are you sitting securely? Hang on … the Mets … have signed …
Boof Bonser.
Go ahead, change your shorts; no doubt you lost control of all bodily systems as a result of the excitement.
In all seriousness, it’s true — the Mets have signed the former Twins prospect to a minor-league deal. Bonser showed great promise with a power arm after being acquired from the Giants with Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano in the trade for A.J. Pierzynski, but he never quite lived up to expectations and had major, reconstructive shoulder surgery that caused him to miss all of 2009. He came back with the Red Sox last year, but continued to have shoulder issues and was eventually released, then picked up by the A’s, for whom he appeared in 13 games and did not pitch well.
If Bonser is completely healthy — which is questionable — he might provide some depth in AAA. It would take a minor miracle for him to make the big club, considering his shoulder issues and the fact that he simply was not very good before the surgery.
Though, he has a very early-Mets-history kind of name … he’d fit right in with the likes of Choo Choo Coleman, Pumpsie Green, Marvelous Marv E. Throneberry, and Vinegar Bend Mizell. BTW, “Boof” is his real name, as far as I can tell. Is it me, or does “Boof Bonser” sound like a goofball character on Howdy Doody? OK, you youngins may relate better to “The Simpsons” … whatever, isn’t it difficult to take a guy seriously whose name is “Boof Bonser”?
For an interesting discussion about the seriousness of Mr. Bonser, you can listen to this podcast.
In any case, he’s ours now, so I wish him well and hope for the best.