The Mets intend to hire a general manager by the World Series, but it may take significantly longer for the organization's choice to turn the team into a contender. After three days of conversations with GM candidates, Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon told Dan Martin of the New York Post that top executives believe the team needs some work.
"They all know the reality of where we are," Wilpon told reporters. "It's not a bad perception, but they understand the reality."
The Mets don't have a manager under contract for 2011, but they'll wait to hire a GM before choosing a skipper. Once Wilpon and other Mets executives decide between Allard Baird, Rick Hahn, Josh Byrnes, Sandy Alderson, Logan White and others, selecting a manager will become a priority.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that Alderson has an excellent relationship with owner Fred Wilpon and definitely wants the Mets to hire him (Twitter links).
The new GM will also have to determine whether to pursue Hisanori Takahashi, who can become a free agent at the end of the month. Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes on a Japanese report indicating that Takahashi seeks a two-year deal and would prefer to remain with the Mets (Twitter link). MLBTR's Tim Dierkes suggested last month that Takahashi could seek a two-year deal worth $2.5MM per season plus incentives.
“Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon told Dan Martin of the New York Post that top executives believe the team needs some work.” Wow that is a gigantic understatement.
Just need to shed some bad contracts. After 2011, they have 57 million coming off the books…so how much work is really needed? The team isn’t going to be competitive next year so…
That’s sort of the problem. The Mets will never have a traditional “rebuilding” season. It’s always one foot in, one foot out.
Do we really need a post every day or so solely focused on the Mets’ GM search? I don’t see any other teams with openings getting that kind of exclusive coverage.
In addition to @Wonderboy’s observation, I do know it’s important to keep readership up so that businesses with ads here can have the widest exposure possible, AND a reason to continue placing their ads. So, frequently reporting rumors about a team with a sizeable (and desperate) fan base could also be a way of keeping the readership up in times when there’s less news.As part of that “desperate” fan base, may I say that every day I log on hoping for SOME crumb that might provide SOME hint of actual meaningful change….hopefully….maybe….(pretty please?!). So at times like this it’s ‘suckers’ like me that help keep this website rolling. Sorry ’bout that. :p
Yes… NYC is a big market with more fans than your team.
Yes… NYC is a big market with more fans than your team.
Keeping Takahashi at the numbers discussed here seem reasonable given his success and ability to fill multiple roles.
Alderson is by far the best choice, with Hahn good fall back. We don’t need a 5 year rebuild plan, but new gm will need to convince Wilpon’s to leverage the Mets big market position either at the 2011 trade deadline or next off season
Why? Trade Beltran, Pagan, and maybe Reyes. Or at least put them on the block and see what’s out there. Obviously Oliver Perez is impossible to trade, but it’s more about trading parts that can net us talent. The Mets still have a lot of young at C, 1B, 3B, and SP, so it’s not as if they’re starting from square one. The real problem is signing a guy like Bay but not signing anyone else to fix other gaping holes. The Mets don’t need a Cliff Lee to be a competitive team–they just have to be solid all-around. That’s VERY doable, and I’m confident Sandy Alderson already has a pre-hired vision.
Why? Trade Beltran, Pagan, and maybe Reyes. Or at least put them on the block and see what’s out there. Obviously Oliver Perez is impossible to trade, but it’s more about trading parts that can net us talent. The Mets still have a lot of young at C, 1B, 3B, and SP, so it’s not as if they’re starting from square one. The real problem is signing a guy like Bay but not signing anyone else to fix other gaping holes. The Mets don’t need a Cliff Lee to be a competitive team–they just have to be solid all-around. That’s VERY doable, and I’m confident Sandy Alderson already has a pre-hired vision.
Beltran had a great last month+, so maybe a team would take a chance on Beltran.
As great as Pagan was for us in 2010, he will be 29. He is a perfect sell-high candidate.
I don’t like the idea of trading Reyes (because I like him), but I think it’s worth seeing what kind of package we could get for him. He’s not the most trustworthy player, so if we could net two-three helpful players, it could be a good move for the Mets.
Beltran had a great last month+, so maybe a team would take a chance on Beltran.
As great as Pagan was for us in 2010, he will be 29. He is a perfect sell-high candidate.
I don’t like the idea of trading Reyes (because I like him), but I think it’s worth seeing what kind of package we could get for him. He’s not the most trustworthy player, so if we could net two-three helpful players, it could be a good move for the Mets.
I think it would take a pretty good package to pull the trigger, but if the Mets could get 2 or 3 helpful players, how could you not trade him? It’s not as if he’s a 600 PA appearance player. In all honesty, the Mets need to sign a backup SS who could easily be a starter on another team.
I think it would take a pretty good package to pull the trigger, but if the Mets could get 2 or 3 helpful players, how could you not trade him? It’s not as if he’s a 600 PA appearance player. In all honesty, the Mets need to sign a backup SS who could easily be a starter on another team.
You’re right, I missed the mark on that point. However, you did bring up a valid point about the league’s perception about him (heck, I bought into it).
I will say this though: he needs have a fantastic 2011 to prove that he can actually hit for power and steal 40+ bases.
You’re right, I missed the mark on that point. However, you did bring up a valid point about the league’s perception about him (heck, I bought into it).
I will say this though: he needs have a fantastic 2011 to prove that he can actually hit for power and steal 40+ bases.
Sell high on Pagan and then put who in the outfield for the next few years? Sign another big contract? I really don’t understand fans. You say rebuild but then you are breaking down already set foundations that don’t require rebuilding. Just because they are all that has value doesn’t mean they have to be traded. Reyes is a good player – he has value because he is good. Pagan has always been a good player just a victim of injuries throughout his career.
Did I say sign another big contract? I actually said:
“The Mets don’t need a Cliff Lee to be a competitive team–they just have to be solid all-around. That’s VERY doable, and I’m confident Sandy Alderson already has a pre-hired vision.”
Good teams know when to sell high, and when to buy low. Angel Pagan is a good player, but he’s not as young as people think he is (will be 29 next year), and it’s hard to believe he’ll produce better than he did in 2010. Trading Pagan to fill other holes could be a smart move.
Did I say sign another big contract? I actually said:
“The Mets don’t need a Cliff Lee to be a competitive team–they just have to be solid all-around. That’s VERY doable, and I’m confident Sandy Alderson already has a pre-hired vision.”
Good teams know when to sell high, and when to buy low. Angel Pagan is a good player, but he’s not as young as people think he is (will be 29 next year), and it’s hard to believe he’ll produce better than he did in 2010. Trading Pagan to fill other holes could be a smart move.
Well if they trade him they have two options…minor leagues which barring Fmart and Kirk Nieuwenhuis is barren of OF prospects (neither of which are a fraction as good as Pagan defensively btw) or sign a FA
Did you know that Pagan had a better year defensively this year than any year Beltran ever had besides his rookie year?…Bet you didn’t.
Trades aren’t an option?I didn’t know that–but then again, I didn’t know that was relevant to this conversation.
Trades aren’t an option?I didn’t know that–but then again, I didn’t know that was relevant to this conversation.
Defense isn’t the be all and end all in right field. It’s a bonus, but really, you need a slugger of sorts in right field.
Pagan is still a good player though.
Defense isn’t the be all and end all in right field. It’s a bonus, but really, you need a slugger of sorts in right field.
Pagan is still a good player though.
The point i’m trying to make is we are better off holding onto Pagan than trading him. He is cheap good and one of the leaders of this team. He is part of the solution not the problem.
The point i’m trying to make is we are better off holding onto Pagan than trading him. He is cheap good and one of the leaders of this team. He is part of the solution not the problem.
No one will fight you that Pagan isn’t the Mets problem. However, the Mets problem boils down to their lack of assets and the gaping holes it creates. If trading Pagan–as helpful as he is–makes the team better overall, it’s an option the Mets should look into. That goes for Reyes as well.
No one will fight you that Pagan isn’t the Mets problem. However, the Mets problem boils down to their lack of assets and the gaping holes it creates. If trading Pagan–as helpful as he is–makes the team better overall, it’s an option the Mets should look into. That goes for Reyes as well.
I’m talking center.
I’m talking center.
i’m with mike firecha, not a TON of work is needed. sure, there is a good amount of work needed but not a rebuild. i say keep Reyes (extension) and Pagan. Trade Beltran in July if your not competitive (as long as he’s having good season). And if you don’t compete, you have a TON of money coming off the books after next year, and a great free agent market with a good amount of prospects that should be ready. If Havens and F-Mart both stay healthy (which is a big if) they’ll both be ready by 2012, Flores could be ready, Nieuwenheis and Lutz will be ready if not used in trade, Matt Harvey should be ready, Alderlin Rodriguez could be in AA, Jenrry Mejia, and Ruben Tejeda will definitely be ready if not traded, and you have the 13th pick in next years draft. Also, Valdespin could be ready.