I guess it's no use trying to keep it secret who your favorite team is when you write a baseball blog. So let it be known that I count myself one of the unfortunate few who call themselves Mets fans. It's a tough job, but somebody has to endure the constant disappointment and pain. So what are the Mutts to do after such a horrific year?
Well first thing is first, fire Omar Minaya. Yes, I said it, and I know there are loads of people out there who agree with me. This man is an insult to the position of general manager. Now granted, he brought Johan Santana to the big city, but he did so at the cost of a lot of prospects and in a climate where the Mets' two biggest fiscal competitors, i.e. Red Sox and Yankees, weren't really all that gung-ho about obtaining him. If you look back on the trade, the Mets were the only real option for Santana's future. And other than getting an ace pitcher, what has Minaya done for the Mets? Getting Brian Schneider? Mr. S seems like a nice guy and all, but his defense couldn't have been shoddier over the last two years, and his bat was completely inept. Minaya also traded for Luis Castillo, which at the time seemed like a nice little veteran boost. But then he went and signed the aging second-baseman to a high-priced, and what seems like an eternal contract.
Ok, so nobody is perfect. He also got K-Rod after all, right? And for reasonably cheap. True, but K-Rod didn't exactly live up to that contract in his first year, which brings into question the scouts that Omar relies on, and which reflects greatly on the the state of disrepair the farm teams are in. And let us not forget the greatest blunder of all...giving Oliver Perez 36 million reasons to love America. The ever inconsistent, and frustrating pitcher didn't get an incentive-laden deal that might have pushed him to perform to his full potential. No, Ollie Pest-ez received guaranteed money to go out and pitch a line like, four runs in 4.2 innings with three strikeouts, and five walks. Then get hurt a month into the season with a multitude of mysterious ailments which calls into questions whether Oliver really wants to pitch at all, let alone in the majors.
So good job keeping him Minaya. Now the Mets' GM is possibly going after Randy Wolf for similar type money, a pitcher Omar could have signed to a smaller contract last year, and had a more effective, healthier starter. And who else is on Minnie's radar? Oh just John Lackey and Matt Holliday. Where is this money coming from? If the Mets had traded to get Matt Holliday even just two years ago, I would've been ecstatic. But now, you'd be paying $100 mil for a bat, and a poor glove with, let's say, decent speed. This is not the answer to the Mets' problems. Lackey, while reliable and tough, is an ace, which the Mets already have. They should spend the money for Lackey on getting two other pitchers who can make it through a whole season, thus building an actually rotation instead of just Santana and then four other guys who shuffle in and out.
Now, I don't claim to have all the answers, but here are some things that need to happen. First, Omar needs to get fired, but since that doesn't look like it's going to happen until the beginning of next season at the earliest, there are some moves the GM can do and not do.
Do... get rid of Oliver Perez at all costs. You've had the guy since 2006 and guess what, you can't fix him, his delivery or his lack of fight. Take the hit, pay part of his contract out and trade him for whatever you can possibly get. Unfortunately a Perez for Milton Bradley deal looks mildly realistic, since the Cubs are just as desperate to unload that horrible signing as the Mets are with Ollie. But let's pray it doesn't come to that.
Don't... sign Matt Holliday. For as much as Minaya doesn't want to admit it, the Mets are rebuilding. Yes, they have All-Stars, but without a solid base around them, it's just that, a team with a few All-Stars. The minors are in shambles and need to be addressed. Instead of signing another giant free agent contract, trading one of the bigger names away might bring in some young talent, which the Mets sorely need. It's rumored that the Yankees are interested in trading for Carlos Beltran. For goodness' sake, listen to the offer Minaya. You can dump loads of money and get at least two stellar prospect in return, if not three. While I love Beltran's defense, the Mets need some boisterous personalities in the locker room, and Carlos is just too business-like to provide a meaningful leadership role for this club.
Do... let Omir Santos and Josh Thole platoon at catcher this year. LET A YOUNG GUY PLAY ONCE IN A WHILE MINAYA!! Which goes for you too Jerry Manuel! I know you think veterans are the only way to go, but you'll never found out what kind of young talent is waiting in the wings if they're constantly in the shadows. If they both fail, then there is always a veteran catcher out there for a quick trade. A Jason Kendall, or a Pudge Rodriguez. And there's always a Molina brother floating around somewhere.
Don't... trade away your farm team. It's depleted as it is, so don't mortgage the future to try and get Roy Halladay. Yes, he's fantastic and one of my favorite players, but the money you will have to shell out to keep him around will only dig a further hole for the Mets' future. The team needs to start thinking a little more along the lines of Billy Beane, and less like Brian Cashman. Expensive veterans are great, but only when some cheap young players are mixed in.
But what do I know, I'm just a dumb guy from Jersey with a blog. And I'm spent.
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