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Andrew O’Brien | aobrien7@gmail.com
As an avid sports fan, but more importantly a New York Mets fan, I’ve been following many blogs throughout the past few seasons. It feels like more and more fans, especially fans that express their feelings across the Internet, are growing impatient with Omar Minaya and the Wilpons.
I’ll admit, I’ve been one of the fans saying, “Omar, wake up! We need to make a move now.”
In fact, I’ve done it as recently as this week, but I’ve come to realize Minaya, along with the Wilpons, likely know more of what’s going on this winter than us fans do. Of course we want the best players, the biggest names and the players who are going to win us the National League East, the pennant and ultimately, the World Series. And although Minaya and the Wilpons have made some questionable decisions over the past few years, I’m sure they have a general idea of what they’re doing, and they will make something happen.
Now, of course, if the Mets head into spring training for the 2010 season and no changes have been made, then some serious questions will surround what’s going on.
But for now, I ask my fellow Mets fans to be patient. From the looks of it, the Mets have a legitimate chance of signing Jason Bay, and although he might have some low points and some fans aren’t too enthusiastic about him, he is one of the best available free agents. Sure, Matt Holliday is a viable candidate too, but I don’t blame Minaya on being cautious in tying down his organization for upwards of eight years, like the lucrative contract Holliday is looking for.
No player is perfect, and Bay’s defensive abilities might be in question, but he’s not 25-years-old anymore. He’s a more experienced hitter, a veteran player and can bring a lot to the organization off the field as well as on. Conversely, Holliday can most likely accomplish the same exact things, and might even be better at all of the above compared to Bay, but why commit to more than four or five years if you don’t have to.
With all the pressure Minaya is feeling, he is likely to want to make a stupid move and overpay for a player when he might be bidding against himself. At this point, there don’t seem to be too many other suitors for Bay, and despite rumors of the Baltimore Orioles and possibly a few other big club wanting to get in on the Holliday deal, the Cardinals seem to be the only other team for him.
It’s clear the Mets have a really good opportunity to sign either Bay or Holliday for spring training. And ultimately, the Mets will make their moves.
It’s smart to not put all your eggs in one basket, too. Most likely, the Mets didn’t have a real shot at landing Roy Halladay or John Lackey, and they have too often depleted their farm system to land some of the biggest names. What’s wrong with signing a Joel Pineiro or a Jason Marquis? Both pitchers have the arms to be a No. 2 pitcher. Also, the signing of reliever Ryota Igarashi could be big time. Igarashi wasn’t a huge name among many fans, and he can provide a lot in the bullpen setting up for Francisco Rodriguez.
Granted, I know I’m not a general manager or an owner of one of the most lucrative sports teams in the country, but I’m just hoping fellow Mets fans can find a small part of them that can give Minaya and the Wilpons just a little more time, a little more patience. If things get screwed up again, then I’m all for torching them too. But the Mets have a lot of talent, and last season can be written off due to injuries. A healthy Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Jeff Francoeur, Rodriguez and Johan Santana is a great makeup for a team. Adding Bay, possibly Bengie Molina or another catcher (assuming we don’t overpay for one, and I know Minaya tends to do that), possibly another bat, and then a few type-B starting pitchers can set the Mets up to be competitive in the NL East.
Just be patient, please. I promise I want them to win just as much as every other Amazins’ fan too. And if you’re interested, check out Andrew Vazzano’s article about the New York Mets not being “Major League.” It’s a really good read with really great points.
