Mets GM Sandy Alderson held a blogger conference call today, and Metsblog.com's Michael Baron has the transcript. Here are some of the hot stove-related notes…
- Fan sentiment "came into play" in Luis Castillo's release, Alderson said. The Mets "became aware about the sentiment in New York for [Castillo and Oliver Perez]….It's difficult to overcome that, so you evaluate player performance against presumption in the minds of the fans." In Perez's case, Alderson said the southpaw just didn't pitch well enough to make the roster, so the fans' thoughts were moot.
- Alderson says if the Mets are in contention, the club will have the money available to add a player if necessary.
- Alderson thinks his team's farm system is underrated but he says the Mets "need to be more aggressive and successful in developing players out of the draft."
- "There is a very good possibility we will keep both our Rule 5 picks" Alderson said, in regards to Pedro Beato and Brad Emaus. The GM said that Emaus' Rule 5 status was a major reason the team gave him every chance to win the second base job this spring. "If he was not a Rule 5 draftee, he wouldn’t have presented the immediacy that he does," Alderson said. "If he’s not the starting second baseman, I’m not sure how much he helps us in a bench role. At least at the outset, you’re going to give him every opportunity."
- If the Mets have a reduced payroll next season, they should still be able to re-sign Jose Reyes if they wish, given the number of contracts the team has coming off the books this winter.
“Like sands through the hourglass… so are the Days of Our Lives.”
A couple of really good picks in the Rule 5 by the Mets. Of course, they could have selected a dud or two like most teams — they didn’t.
Neither are superstars, but Emaus is probably an average regular and Beato is a good solid reliever with a nasty arm. Just some awkward arm action.
I don’t understand all the praise for Beato. Considering the woeful O’s bullpen last year, you’d think he would have been called up if he was ready. Instead the O’s trotted the likes of Frank Mata out there.
I understand that Beato has promise and a lively arm, but I can’t believe that he’ll perform at a major-league level this year.
That’s a flatout bad way to judge players and it’s wrong as well.
He was fantastic in Norfolk last year. Just because players don’t get called
up it doesn’t mean they aren’t ready. Tim Collins was probably ready last
year but the “woeful” Royals pen survived without him.
That’s not my means of judging him, I think he can be successful at the major league level. However, he is not polished like a similar O’s prospect David Hernandez.
I just think he’s still too raw to succeed as a major leaguer this year.
Well that’s different. And didn’t mean to sound harsh if you took it that
way. He’s not as polished, but he’s not raw. He has a good arm and knows
what he’s doing. He’s putting together.
He is, just slowly. I remember when people were talking about him as possibly being the next great pitcher for baltimore. I think he’s much better suited to the ‘pen than the rotation, but I’m just not sure he’s ready quite yet.
Granted, unless the Mets think they are going to beat out the Phillies and Braves for the division or wild card, they can afford to let him take his lumps this year.
I am shocked (shocked!) that none of the bloggers on that conference call asked for more details on the Citi Field hamburger that Jeff Passan praised in his column for Yahoo! Sports earlier today.
is shack shake even worth the effort? I have been to Citi probably 6 times now, and have never had the desire to wait on the line.
I have been to Citi probably 6 times now, and have never had the desire to wait on the line.
Don’t bother. If you happen to be in the Tri-State Area and are suddenly overcome by the need to stand on an excessively long line for a burger, shake & fries, there are plenty of excessively long lines, shakes & burgers (etc.) waiting for you over at the Shake Shacks on 8th Avenue, Columbus Avenue, or Madison Park. No need to go to Flushing!. :p
As for whether it’s worth it? Mmm…not to me. I’m not that into burgers, and for sure I don’t like my shakes to be so…”soupy,” I guess. I like a shake to have more consistency, so I really wasn’t impressed.
I’ve said this before: the sandwich from Mama’s of Corona is a much better deal and there are no lines. You can be full on half a sandwich which cost less than a Shake Shack burger. They also have cannolis.
Off topic: gonfalon, are you named for Baseball’s Sad Lexicon?
very true about the idea that they can balance the payroll (as in lower it to match revenues), while having every bit as good of a team.
assuming they go to a more reasonable number, say 115? then yes they can afford Reyes too.
they are at what, 135-145 this year? Beltran, reyes, castillo and ollie = ~50. Even if reyes got 20 (probably high), that is a net drop, just from these guys, of about 30.
so, that puts them at 105-115 before the other normal comings and goings, much of which might cancel out. So assuming they can cover 2b and RF internally, plenty of money for a solid team with upside, and still breaking even at least most likely.
“Alderson says if the Mets are in contention, the club will have the money available to add a player if necessary”
i guess us mets fans have no reason to check mlbtr this season
I really do hope they give the Reyes thing plenty of thought. Emotions aside they just don’t have anyone in the system to replace him and this offseason should be a testament to how lucky we are to have a SS like Reyes on our team.
I would really like to see an article specifically describing options for the Mets between 2011 and 2012. I’m not a Mets fan (at all) but I find the economics of the situation interesting.
Maybe outlining potential free agents, potential trades, and potential owners in one glorious thread would be a nice undertaking for the MLBTR staff.
Of course, keep up the great work like usual.
-wtk