The latest from Citi Field…
- Sandy Alderson said he’ll be back with the Mets next season, the general manager told Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News and other reporters. It has been widely expected that Alderson would return to the front office in 2018 even though his contract is up at the end of this season. (There have been no details about an extension, and one may not yet exist, other than perhaps a handshake deal between Alderson and Mets ownership.) There is some question as to whether or not Alderson will continue as GM, as there have been rumors that assistant general manager John Rizzo could take a larger role in the baseball operations department. “I am very happy with the [front office] personnel we have. The question is do we have the right organization structure, do we have all the right things that a season like this would cause us to take a look at.”
- Noah Syndergaard gave pitching coach Dan Warthen a strong vote of confidence, telling Ackert and other reporters that “in my opinion, I think he is what’s best for our pitching staff and I want him to be my pitching coach for the remainder of my career.” With a managerial change in the offing, there has naturally been speculation about the Mets’ coaching staff, with Warthen potentially on the way out after nine and a half years as the pitching coach.
- Better health (especially with the starting rotation) is the biggest roster concern facing the Mets, Alderson said, via James Wagner of the New York Times. The Mets’ offseason shopping list includes one or two hitters and Alderson likes the “foundation of the bullpen,” which could imply that New York will be looking for complementary arms to build around AJ Ramos, Jeurys Familia and Jerry Blevins.
- The Mets are likely to cut salaries for next season, with Joel Sherman of the New York Post hearing that the payroll would drop as much as $20MM from their Opening Day 2017 payroll of just under $155MM. Sherman lists five offseason moves the Mets could make while spending modestly, including getting mid-tier relievers or innings-eatings starters, addressing second and third base (including exercising Asdrubal Cabrera’s club option) and installing Juan Lagares as the regular center fielder to upgrade the outfield defense.
Large market team with a small market owner
After taxes Fred Wilpon banked over $150 million this year and he’s been doing that for many years. It doesn’t take that many years and you’ve banked a Billion and then you’re onto your next Billion.
Gotti and Gravano never dreamed of a skim that large.
Can I give that a “like?”
Aldersons a good gm who gets hate for reasons unknown, just like Mozliek and Huntington
It’s because they’re bosses (the owners) don’t let them do their jobs.
It’s not his first rodeo working with budget constraints. But I agree, being a NY based team you’d think the purse would be open at a higher level.
Joel Sherman has some lousy ideas. Obviously he doesn’t know that Bruce doesn’t want to primarily be a first baseman.
Furthermore, why sign Bruce for first base rather than go all out for Hosmer playing his natural position and also hits for both power and average?
Mets aren’t going to trade for lateral moves like Kolten Wong, Nor sign 32 year old Zack Cozart to play out of position and chance what is a one year wonder on offense.
I don’t see them bringing back Oliver Perez with a prior very bad marriage with the Mets and Mets fans that ended ugly.
I don’t think Juan Lagares has shown enough on offense to merit starting job.
I don’t know what the Mets will ultimately do, but many of Sherman’s ideas are pie in the sky and make little sense.
Hey longtimefan1-do you use longtimefan2 for another team? Joel Sherman’s comments do not make sense to most people AND are accurate. Remember, your team operates with Mets’ logic which is fantasy based and seldom makes sense.
Joel, who’s column should be called, “Mr Met” has a direct phone line into Mutt and Jeff’s offices. Remember, these guys know VERY little about baseball after decades of ownership.
So when you say that Joel has some lousy ideas you need to redirect your comments to those of the Wilpon’s.
Sandy gives his stamp of approval as a figurehead who’s grasp of the game escaped him at least 5 years ago. He is punching a time clock and making more $$$ than any of his previous jobs.
Mets are not signing Hosmer because they won’t pay Boras’ price.
I’d think they have to give Smith a crack at first base before signing others, otherwise why bother drafting kids if they’ve proven successful in the minors, unless their intent is to use them as trade bait. Considering the kid has only had a small sample of the big league, at least give him a chance.
The comments on Minor and a couple of others make perfect sense. The Hosmer idea is ridiculous, mainly because he’s way too inconsistent and will cost too much for what he brings to the table. He hasn’t had two consecutive strong seasons at any point in his career, yet. Lagares doesn’t have to hit if he can stay healthy, since his glove is so good.
” The Mets’ offseason shopping list includes one or two hitters”
Really? A cupla bats? How much does Alderson get paid to come up with this?
When someone refers to position players as “hitters” or “bats” they are revealing themselves to be incompetent. Your lineup is your team. You get the pitching to support your lineup.
Why do the Mets look the way they do – other than Wilpon – ? This is the reason. Pitch, pitch, pitch. That’s not how you build a MLB team.
I see a last place finish for the Mutts
It’s hard to see them being worse than the Phillies, and if Jeter goes through with the rumored fire sale, the Mets will be no worse than 3rd place by default.
Alderson’s brief assessment does not inspire confidence that there’s much will on the part of ownership to noticeable improve the team. Wilpon has likely empowered Alderson to shuffle the chairs on the Titanic’s deck as much as he needs to as long as he doesn’t spend a dime on necessary rescue measures.
Sandy remains me of Oakland’s Billy Beane… Pure brains but not enough resources to operate… It’s too bad…
Sandy was his mentor and predecessor.
They need to sign Nunez for 2B/3B so they have a legitimate leadoff hitter. Then they need a righthanded hitting 1B/OF in case Dom Smith doesn’t pan out of needs to be platooned.
I agree with Sherman that the bullpen needs to be the top priority. Too many winnable games this year thrown away by terrible relief pitching. Get Addison Reed back plus a matchup lefty to join Ramos, Blevins, and Familia. Leftover starters could be used as the long men.
Yup. That’s why the suggested Minor signing seems like a great suggestion. Nuñez would be a solid option.
Conforto’s health is going to play huge in how they approach the offense this off season. Otherwise procuring two solid relievers would play as priority, along with figuring out 3B and 2B (unless their satisfied with Flores and Cabrera filing those positions for now).