Mets press
This morning, while drinking a cup of coffee and watching Dora with Sofie, I roamed the internet for sports. Coming to CNN, I read about the Hall of Fame snubs this year and future players coming up for election. I will have a post soon enough about that particular topic. However there was an article I read that seemed to sum up the press’ opinion of the Mets, compared to the Red Sox or Yanks (or any other team, for that matter)
A few days after Christmas, the Mets signed Jason Bay to a four year deal with a fifth year option. The total contract will equal roughly 80 million if he gets the vesting option on the fifth year. Is that a lot of money? Sure. A week later, Matt Holliday signed for 7 years and roughly 120 million. The Cardinals will also be paying him well into the 2020s, giving him a smaller yearly income, much like the Mets are STILL doing with Bobby Bonilla.
On CNNSI.com, Jeff Pearlman writes a whole article on why Jason Bay will be a bust for the Mets. Will he be? Maybe. But there is also an article on the site about how the Holliday deal was better than the Bay deal. Two years and twice the money for an good player. Their logic seems to be built more on the failure of the Mets organization than that of the players themselves. When the Sox go out and sign players like John Lackey, Adrian Beltre, and Marco Scutaro, the press say they are buiding with pitching and defense. They don’t mention the pressing need in Boston is power, which none of those players provide. Beltre has been more of a bust than Bay, yet the Boston press look at his 10 million dollar contract as “worth a shot”. When they spent 12 million on players like Brad Penny, John Smoltz, and T. Saito, sports networks called this a smart move because one of them would work out. Even after they failed, especially Smoltz and Penny, people blew it off as a team taht has money to try those manuvers. When the Yanks spend money, and they do, people get mad at the money thrown around, not the players themselves.
Do the Mets make mistakes, yes they do. Do they have more pressing needs than Bay? Some would say their pitching is suspect (which they are correct), but they also needed a powerhitter and a left fielder. Will he be worth the money by the time the fifth year option comes around? Probably not. But he could very well succeed in New York, surrounded by players such as Beltran, Wright, Reyes, Franceur. The Mets won’t make the playoffs without a SP or two, but Bay’s numbers and potential in New York should not be based on things he can’t control.
Date: January 9, 2010
Categories: New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Sports
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