The latest on the Mets, including updates on two pitchers who haven't lived up to their contracts…
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says he finds it "increasingly difficult to believe that [Fred Wilpon] will remain viable as owner [of the Mets]." He believes Wilpon should sell the team and move on, for the good of all involved.
- Andy Martino of the New York Daily News hears that the Mets are close to giving up on Oliver Perez and could release him if he doesn't pitch well against the Cardinals today. Manager Terry Collins says Perez will have another chance to prove himself after today, however. The left-hander earns $12MM this year in the final year of his contract.
- Agent Paul Kinzer told David Lennon of Newsday that Francisco Rodriguez's 2012 option, which becomes guaranteed if he finishes 55 games this year, will be a "point of interest" that he'll watch closely. Kinzer says he hopes the Mets play to win instead of worrying about the $17.5MM option.
- The owners of the Mets, Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, face more than a $1 billion lawsuit, but that's not all. They are expected to face additional allegations from a court-appointed trustee, according to Matthew Futterman and Michael Rothfeld of the Wall St. Journal.
Any guru on here know the last time so many owners were going through so many issues? The Tribune, the Wilipon’s, the McCourt’s, the Rangers owner before Ryan and Greenberg…what is going on?
The Wilpons are foolish, and clearly more interested in themselves and their own welfare than they are in doing what’s best for the club they claim to love so much. They cry “victim” in front of media, but shortly thereafter, the fact that they profited from the Madoff scheme comes out. Then they proceed to tour the world telling the media that “they feel sorry for themselves and their family” while saying nothing of the suffering of faithful Mets fans, and generally carrying on as if THEIR personal troubles are the only issues worth discussing. Then they hatch a “plan” to sell part of the team but don’t even have the decency to grant the new minority owners any say in how the organization/team is run… All this while claiming to be “the biggest Mets fans in the world.” Meanwhile it never even occurs to them that perhaps the best thing for their “beloved” Mets might be to actually have the guts to release them. Fortunately, that decision will be made for them soon enough by reality. I just wish it would happen sooner rather than later.
That’s how I see it/end of rant. 😉
As long as Selig isn’t trying to contract the Twins, I’m content.
I think your safe on that front, if you were a Rays or Marlins fan then I would worry
Well, the Tribune wasn’t really going through issues in terms of the team.
The Tribune was broke, they sold to Sam Zell, and Zell said he wanted to sell the team off from the get-go. With these other instances, the owners are having issues with the baseball team and finances themselves. The Cubs were still spending during their ownership changes.
Oh I know, I’m an avid Cub fan myself – good point though. I was just grouping them in to make my argument of ownership zaniness a bit stronger.
You can tack on the Moores’ divorce in San Diego and the weakly-financed secession group that has taken over the operations of that club, the inability of the Rays’ ownership group to maintain/increase the payroll of what was set up to be a perennial contender, the very wealthy Astros’ owner attempting to sell his club for nearly double what it’s worth, and the nitwits who somehow continue to own the Pirates.
So, yes, this is indeed a pretty bad time for the owners of several MLB clubs and I’d argue more so for those clubs’ fans, who ultimately suffer the consequences of the owners’ actions (the Rangers seem to be the one organization that has made out pretty well all things considered). And to me, this all falls squarely in the lap of Bud Selig, who continues to run MLB as a buddy system – he seems more intent on propping up failed regimes than providing MLB franchises with a sound future.
As a Mets fan I’m hoping Kinzer is right and that option vests.
Because it’d mean we are playing relevant games deep into the season which is obviously not going to happen.
I’m not even sure Kinzer wants that option to vest. At the rate its going the Wilpons aren’t going to be able to afford to pay player salaries in the near future.
Mets release Perez and Perez signs a deal with the Pittsburg Pirates to resurrect his career.
Anyone see the cards making a play fr ollie?
I can see that. He may even turn things around a bit with Duncan helping him out.
Duncan can be flat-out magical when it comes to straightening out moderately talented vets.
But you can’t polish a turd.
Problem with Ollie Perez is that, in spite of his performance, he has done nothing to improve, not submitted himself to any type of special training, has not kept in top shape, has not reported early to camp, has not been ok with a movement to the bullpen nor any other gesture that indicates that he cares about helping the Mets. That is what has disgraced him with the fans, his companions, the media and every other met-related thing.
Well said.
Just because the media hasn’t reported it, doesn’t mean he hasn’t done “extra” things on his own to get ready.
Yes, I definitely see them offering him a minor league deal. And him getting a couple major league starts. And mediocore results.
the thing is ollie wants to start in the bigs and i dont see them signing him to a major league contract. if you remember, ollie refused to be sent to the minors to try to regain his abilities/form. The only way they would want to sign him is to a minor league deal
Well, he threw 2 shutout innings, 2 hits, no walks, no Ks. Think it’s enough to keep him on life support?
and i cant believe they are giving him this start against the cardinals. its completely pointless to give him another chance after this game. He’s proven time and time again that he CANNOT pitch at the major league level without walking 2-3 consecutive batters 3-4 times a game.
maybe its an audition if they place him on waivers. the cards could be interested and seeing him pitch would help (actually probably not but thats what they might be thinking.) just a thought
Kudos to the site for bringing up the all time favorite (Ollie) so everyone can remember how much fun it is to hammer him and Minaya once again..
Onto another subject..Did i miss it, or was CoCo Crisp getting hammered for DUI yesterday overlooked here? That is more of a story than anything having to do with Perez.
The police in the spring training cities are cracking down. Seems like a different player is busted for DUI every other day.
The Mets really are in trouble. Without taking this too lightly, there should be a Mets Franchise Mode in MLB 2K11 where you can try to right the ship. That’d be a challenge.
Jason Bay for Mike Trout? Denied. Jason Bay for Tim Salmon? Sigh…fine.
-wtk
Why has it taken me this long to realize that a Halos legend and their current huge prospect both have the last names of fish? I feel dumb and unobservant.
Baseball Mogul would be better for that
Ollie is a good pitcher, i think he needs to focus, and put the team first…or hes carrer its over!!
i think he needs to focus, and put the team first…or hes carrer its over!!
If we rearranged your statement and combined those concepts the following result would be more accurate: “If he really were to put the team first his career truly would be over…because what’s best for the team is for Ollie to hit the road and never be seen again!”
Meanwhile, maybe Ollie is a good pitcher…in some alternate universe…
If he is released theres a good chance he will never pitch in the MLB again.
Wrong. Ned Colletti ALWAYS has his cellphone’s battery charged to 5 bars.
Youre sick man!!
I have no idea how well Perez is pitching today, but the Yahoo boxscore says the score is 2-0 Mets thru 4, so he couldn’t have done too bad.
Maybe they promised him ice cream after the game?
Other than Holliday, it looks like the Cardinals ran their B team out there today…
yeah but the mets brought out their b pitchers
Really? They’re now “close” to giving up on Ollie Perez? What more do you need to see?!
The horror show coming to an end, Schade.
Memo to know it all angry dwarf Ken Rosenthal of fox sports: Why would Wilpons do what’s best for all involved? This is America dude. Capitalism. They ain’t giving up. They are emotionally attached in this team and Madoff scandal. They are going down with the Titanic. It’s ugly and getting uglier. So wake up and enjoy the drama dude
Mets’ fans should want him to succeed. Then maybe they can trade him if they pay 85% of his salary, instead of eating 100% of it.