Mets Want to be Good, Not Great, Accept It.
By Mike Silva ~ February 3rd, 2009. Filed under: Mike Silva.
The Mets have done exactly what you wanted from them this offseason. They addressed the 8th inning, 9th inning, and maintained an above average starting rotation. With the returning offense, there should be no reason why they don’t compete for the NL East – and beyond. The key word I keep stressing is “compete”. The Mets could do one of two things: Compete with the nice team they have, or sign Manny Ramirez and become the prohibitive favorites in the National League. The latter would require a financial commitment that I believe is doable but, due to the Wilpon’s nature of “playing nice” with Commissioner Selig, is out of their comfort zone. The Mets like to be good, not great. That is their legacy and I think it’s time to accept reality.
All signs indicate that Manny is not an option. Even Bobby Abreu is too rich for the team that just “wants to get along”. Even when the Mets obtained Mike Piazza in 1998, they never truly gave him the kind of surrounding star power that would have maximized his in prime years. The Mets are content with doing just enough to compete, but not too much to put themselves in the “line of fire”. This is even more of a shame considering that Los Angeles is reportedly offering a one year contract for 25 million dollars.
As I mentioned over the weekend, keep dreaming about Manny in Citi Field. I applaud the rallies, comments, and message board cries, but it simply won’t happen. It’s better to be realistic, than set yourself up for obvious disappointment. Just think about it, Johan Santana had to fall in the Mets laps and, even then, they played games with the 48 hour negotiating window. They just can’t push themselves to be great, to do what the Yankees have done throughout their history. Maybe being the “little brother” sells, maybe its fear, or perhaps we are all wrong and they can’t afford to play that game.
I don’t believe Manny will be the next Vladimir Guerrero. The team is in a far better place now, then in January of 2004. The “core” will be forced to prove they can exorcise the demons and carry this team on their back. Santana will need to pitch like a Cy Young award winner, and K-Rod/Putz will have to be lights out. All are feasible, but Manny might give you the cushion in case the best laid plans don’t hold.
Jumping in the fray and shaking things up is my nature. Just look what this site has done from day one of its existence. It’s not the nature of the New York Mets. The fans should appreciate the team they have, but not yearn for the team that could be. Remember, this is the New York Mets, they get along, play politics, and do everything just wrong enough to be second best. I have come to accept it. So should you.
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:42 am
Dare to be good, not great. Perfect summary of the Mets under the Wilpons alone.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:27 am
Mike you capture the essance of the Mets in that post. However, as you know I am not one to sit back and “accept” just good and myself and the other Mets bloggers will not allow management to get away with it’s narrow minded thinking. If the Skill Sets want to be good Selig soldiers then they have to be able to withstand the slings and arrows from Mets fandom. For the teams sake they better get off to a hot start or it could get real nasty.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:50 am
You do make some interesting points especially about the Piazza years. Yet concerning this team I can’t disagree with you more. Let’s discuss good vs. Great. By the definition above Great would mean a team that is willing to do and $pent whatever in necessary to win.
So by using that definition the Yankee’s are the greatest team of the new millennium since they paid whatever they needed to buy players. The flaw in that logic is the only WS the Yanks have won in the new millennium was with the core they grew themselves or traded for. How many (not Manny) times do we need to learn this lesson?
The Great teams developed their own stars or make key trades. Rarely does the big free agent signing pan out other then in the area of pitching and how much of a crap shoot is that?
I’d rather see Omar trade for a guy like Xavier Nady or sign a Ty Wiggington as the RH bat to complement the current line up.
Please don’t misunderstand Manny Ramirez is great; I just don’t think he’d be great for this team.
Omar’s fault has been not addressing the bullpen the past two seasons. Now let’s see what happens in Sept.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:09 am
Excellent post that captures my sentiments exactly.
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:29 am
I agree with every point, but am saddened by the fact that the onslaught of bad publicity pales in comparison to the pressure the Wilpons succumb to in the country club. They can accept you or I being upset as the sheep that we are will still continue to buy the jerseys and tickets, but they can’t bare to look bad in front of Bud.
Every major impact player will be headed for injury risk in the WBC, we never have a great farm system due to slotting and as you mention, we sign just enough star power to come in 2nd. The minor leagues are a great way the team can improv without spending precious money, but they don’t do it. This tells me it’s less about the cash and more about self image and an uneasiness with the spotlight.
The best scenario is if Fred (much like what was done by another owner this year) goes to LA and joins Dodgers ownership. The weather’s good, he could recoup all of his Madoff losses from selling the Mets and he could fly under the radar in LA.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:25 am
I agree with Pedro, I would like the Mets to get Wigginton or trade for X-Man to compliment this lineup.
The problem with that is the Yankees are looking for prospects for X-Man that the Mets would not dare to trade. Wigginton is looking for a starting role that the Mets don’t have because Murphy and Tatis seem to be implanted in Left. Wiggy would be a good pickup because he can play anywhere..
Manny is a pipe dream for us Mets fans…. The Mets are counting their money instead of building a franchise that will be great, instead of just good…
Good Post Mike!
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:25 am
When a club is one of the top salary spenders in BB, and then adding that much more money for Manny, bringing them into kick back funds to the rest of the teams is not such a good thing.
Especeally since the team has not only improved the pitching staff, and even the offense also looks like it will be better then last year.
Let Manny find a home some place else.