Showing posts with label Fred Wilpon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fred Wilpon. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Mets spring training notes

Sandy Alderson spoke on WFAN today and the owner Fred Wilpon met with the media in Port St. Lucie. 
Alderson basically said that they want to win but also thinks it is important for players to develop. He is mainly talking about Zach Wheeler, Travis D’arnaud and Matt Harvey. They are clearly the future of the franchise and the Mets want to see them develop and be the main guys in the next couple of years. Alderson said of course they want to win and won’t be happy until they have a winning season. I believe that but I do think right now it may be more important for them to develop the players. They are rebuilding and I think Alderson has done a good job with that but we will see what happens. I would fully expect Wheeler and D’arnaud to be up by the All Star Break or shortly after and the future will be at hand.

The Mets can veto Johan Santana from pitching in the World Baseball Classic, not sure if they will do so though. Jenrry Mejia is late to camp due to visa issues relating to a review of his age and identity. Alderson announced this to the press today. He is being investigated but the Mets think it was just random and it isn’t because of something he did.

Wheeler threw a bullpen and was very impressive according to the reporters who were down there. The Mets have a chance to have a really good pitching staff with him, Harvey, Jon Niese in the future. Bobby Parnell will be the closer if Frank Francisco isn’t healthy. He has an elbow problem and is shutdown until further notice.

The Mets seem pleased with how Daniel Murphy improved at second base. Tim Teufel is working with him and said he looked very good today. The Mets are mostly at the minor league complex working out, it is involuntary as they don’t have to report until Sunday. He said that Murphy looks very good at flipping the ball to second base and his pivots are better. Murphy can really hit so if he can just play adequate defense which I believe he did last year he is very valuable to the team.

The Mets have a good starting staff and good infield. The biggest problem with them is their outfield and right now catching isn’t great but D’arnaud should be the catcher of the future and someone they hope will be there for a long time. The bullpen is also a question mark but it looks like that could be better then last year also.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Mets have a Minority Partner

The New York Mets found their minority partner.  I didn't think it would happen but they were able to land someone that only took about 30 percent of the team with no apparent power.  I don't think if we will ever really know the terms of the deal though.  I would think that this guy has to have some power and he is banking on the fact that the Wilpons will have to sell and the team will become his.  Who is he, well his name is David Einhorn.  He is a lifelong Mets fan who has put 200 million down, the deal won't become official until late June.  Major League Baseball has to approve and both sides need to have a mutually acceptable definitive agreement. 

The Mets issued a press release today and here is what Fred Wilpon said.  "We are very excited about David joining our ownership group for several reasons.  David's investment immediately improves the franchise's financial position.  Equally important, Davids intelligence, integrity and success in both business and civic affairs provides us with another perspective in evaluating what is best for this organization and our fans, and we welcome his input.  In partnership with David, we look forward to achieving our ultimate goal of again becoming World Series Champions." 

I think it will be interesting, I am sure for him to come aboard he needed more then free tickets and a parking spot at Citi Field.  I don't know though if he has any real power or the Mets will just let him in meetings and all that and say they listen to him but don't really.  I am sure that he thinks there is a good chance he may get the team also otherwise he probably wouldn't have done it.  I think the Wilpons will probably have to sell eventually but it depends on what is going to happen with the Picard lawsuit.  If they really get hammered and lose then they may not have the money to run the team anymore and have to give it up to David Einhorn.  The Mets fans may be happy with that and he seems like a guy that could really help the team but we will have to wait and see what happens.

Here are Einhorns quotes “Having an opportunity to become part of the Mets franchise is exciting beyond my wildest childhood dreams. I spent my first seven years living in New Jersey and rooting for the Mets. In 1975, I even dressed in a homemade jersey as a Met for Halloween. I have been a baseball fan for my entire life and have enjoyed teaching the game as the coach of my daughter’s little league team. I look forward to partnering with the Wilpon and Katz families through the good seasons, the tough seasons and especially the championship seasons.”

The Mets will begin a ten game homestand tomorrow, lets see if they can get something going.  At the very least at least they have some stability and won't be going broke, maybe they can make some moves at the trade deadline, I am sure they will still try to move their superstars who have the big contracts but it will be interesting to see if this changes anything. 

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Mets GM speaks out about the owner

After tonight’s 11-1 loss to the Cubs, Sandy Alderson spoke with reporters about the comments made by Fred Wilpon about the team in the New Yorker and now there is a story coming out with Sports Illustrated and he essentially said this:



He doesn’t think Wilpon’s comments were “well chosen” in the interview with the New Yorker.

He has not spoken with the players, but intends to do so at some point.

There is no way to predict what will happen with Jose Reyes, or anyone else, based on what Wilpon said in the article.

He has not read the Sports Illustrated article yet.

The team needs to get past the article in the New Yorker before they deal with the article in Sports Illustrated.

He isn’t aware of the team’s payroll falling below $100 million in 2012, but isn’t comfortable with that notion either.

The Mets once again have controversy

The Mets can't seem to avoid controversy.  Their principal owner Fred Wilpon made some comments to the New Yorker which were released on Monday.  He called the team a not so version of the word crap and had some choice words for certain players such as Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran etc.  He was trying to be like George Steinbrenner used to be but it just isn't him. 

Today at Wrigley Field, Jose Reyes spoke with reporters about the comments made by Fred Wilpon, and basically said the following:

He was surprised by the comments made by Fred Wilpon and he needs to continue playing the game and not worry what happens later. Fred Wilpon is the owner – he can say whatever he wants.

Reyes wants to play in New York, but it’s too soon to think about the future, despite Wilpon’s saying payroll will be reduced next season he still thinks he could stay.  I don't see anyway that is going to happen but I guess he has to say that. 

Regarding the team ‘not being very good’, he thinks the team has a lot of talent, and has played well lately.  I would agree with that but they aren't very good, it is a losing atmosphere though which was brought on by the owners so he should look at himself in the mirror. 

When Fred Wilpon made the comments, the team wasn’t playing well, and he’s the boss, and the players are employees of his company.

The comments are in the past, and it doesn’t change his view on the Mets and the Wilpons.

In addition, Jason Bay spoke with reporters about Wilpon’s comments, and basically said:

He is not worried about the comments – well aware about how he’s doing.

The team has been faced with a lot of things – and thinks they will move on.

His comments are a reality of where the team is at – he can’t speculate on the future of the team and it’s payroll.

The players addressed the issue as a team, and decided they will stick together and take the high road.

He can’t explain the comments made about David Wright.  I don't know if anyone can because he is the leader of the team, as close as a captain as they can have.

They are worried about winning games, and not about what people are saying about them.

Wilpon’s comments should not have any bearing on what happens, unless people let it happen.  He is saying they can use that as an excuse and say that is why we played bad or didn't do this etc but that shouldn't happen.

In a perfect world, the comments can serve as motivation, but it’s a matter of simply executing on the field.  I would agree they shouldn't need motivation after the way they have performed the last few years. 

It might be helpful to hear from either Jeff or Fred Wilpon, but not necessarily right now.

Also, Carlos Beltran basically said:

He’s not 65 or 70 percent – he’s 100 percent healthy.

The years he was hurt, there was no way for him to perform the way he did when he was before he got injured.

He’s so happy to be healthy right now.

The comments are not going to affect him, or his approach to the game.

Regarding Wilpon commenting, and the issues he’s had with the team during his tenure with the Mets, he said “this is not my first rodeo”.

Very interesting stuff coming from the Mets, stay tuned as this story will not go away quickly.  The Mets need to start winning games and that will help let this story die out. 
 

Resistance Bands is a Free Blogger Template