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A complete look at who could take last spot on Bench
2012-01-06 23:44:00
Adam Rubin believes that the Mets will fill out the bench with a right handed power threat bat who can play 1b/3b, he finds it very unlikely that a player lacking MLB experience like Zach Lutz which be on the bench. I still think a left hander would make more sense since a righty would make the entire bench right handed.  But Sandy did say he was looking for a right handed outfielder for the bench even after re-signing Hairston. In case they stick to the outfielders here's the list I compiled yesterday...Right Handed Outfielder:Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Greg Golson, Jonny Gomes, Conor Jackson, Austin Kearns, Ryan Ludwick,  Magglio Ordonez, Jason Repko, Cody Ross, Marcus Ryan Spilborghs, Marcus Thames, VladLeft Handed Outfielder:Rick Ankiel, J.D. Drew, Kosuke Fukudome, Willie Harris, Corey Patterson, Juan Pirre, Raul Ibanez, Luke Scott Here is a list of 1B/3B, I left off players who are probably still starters like Derrek Lee and Carlos Pen...
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Mets close on Cedeno...
2012-01-06 22:11:00
Multiple reports indicate that the Mets are closing in a deal with Ronny Cedeno, the 28 y/o right handed hitter is a lifetime .246 hitter will serve as a back-up to Ruben Tejada and Dan Murphy on the middle infield.  Cedeno was a gold glove candidate last year, so he could easily take over defensively if someone was injuried or couldn't field their position.  In 2010 he stole 12 bases so he can also fill-in at the lead off spot in the order. For more details on Cedeno see this post.
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What Options Do The Mets Have If Johan Santana Is Not Ready?
2012-01-06 17:07:00
Yesterday while in a conference call with the New York media, Mets ' GM Sandy Alderson stated that the team expects Johan Santana to be ready for spring training. Alderson explained that Santana is three weeks into his offseason throwing program, which at this point includes him throwing on consecutive days and from 75 feet. All of this sounds pretty good, but lets level with one another. Johan Santana is attempting to come back from a serious shoulder surgery and is basically floating in uncharted waters, as there are few before him who've made it back from this particular surgery.Its for that reason, in his live chat yesterday, that I asked ESPN's Adam Rubin what type of fall back plan the Mets might have should Johan not be ready. He responded:"If Johan cannot pitch, it would be catastrophic.  Sandy Alderson said last month he was still in the market for a "swing" pitcher who could go to the bullpen or Triple-A if Santana, Dickey, Niese, Pelfrey and Gee are all healthy....
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Sandy met with Chris Young
2012-01-06 15:20:00
Photo by Michael BaronSandy Alderson stated that the team would be interested in bringing back Chris Young if the situation was right and yesterday during his conference call admitted that he has met with Young.  In regard to the pitcher he will not be ready to return to start the season but has stated he would like to rehab with a team instead of signing  after he's healthy.

Rumor: Mets Hire Turnaround Consultants For Potential Sale?
2012-01-06 02:47:00
Update (10:07pm):This evening, Eno Sarris of Amazing Avenue reported that according to a source familiar with the situation the Mets have hired the turnaround consultants, CRG Consulting, that handled the bankruptcy sale of the Texas Rangers a short time ago.  He is a short excerpt from the post:A source familiar with the situation has said that the Mets have hired CRG Consulting — the turnaround consultants that handled the Rangers' bankruptcy sale — and that a team sale with or without bankruptcy is on the table. CRG Consulting would not talk about the subject and the Mets declined to comment, but neither has categorically denied the report.The article concedes that this move doesn't necessary mean that a bankruptcy and/or sale is imminent, but if true it is another testament to the financial difficulties current facing the franchise. Furthermore, Sarris provide good information with regards to the sale of the Rangers and how the circumstances are so very different.Its...
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Mets are still looking for a back-up middle infielder
2012-01-06 00:34:00
I thought Omar Quintanilla would take the Mets out of the market for middle infielders but according to Jon Heyman the Mets are still looking for a utility infielder who can play shortstop. i
More About: Back , Middle

What's left on the free agent market for outfielders...
2012-01-05 22:15:00
Photo by Michael BaronThe Mets now have their right handed outfielder on the bench in signing Scott Hairston, they could leave the left handed spot up to Fernando Martinez, Mike Baxter and Adam Loewen. Currently the outfield is made up of Bay (RHB), Torres (Switch), Duda (LHB) and Hairston (RHB).But as Adam Rubin reported the Mets are looking to up-grade the bench from outside the organization, more then likely a left handed hitter but not Willie Harris.The Mets currently have lefty-hitting outfielders Mike Baxter and Adam Loewen under their control, but Sandy Alderson acknowledged Thursday the Mets are looking to upgrade for that role. source ESPN NYWhile there's still some solid righties left, we can probably rule out the RHB with Hairston returning...Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Greg Golson, Jonny Gomes, Conor Jackson, Austin Kearns, Ryan Ludwick,  Magglio Ordonez, Jason Repko, Cody Ross, Marcus Ryan Spilborghs, Marcus Thames, VladThe left handed hi...
More About: Agent , Market , Free , Left

Scott Hairston to re-sign with the Mets
2012-01-05 16:08:00
Photo by Michael BaronAccording to Joel Sherman the Mets have re-signed Scott Hairston to a major league deal. Just like last year Hairston is a solid pick-up, he can play all three outfield positions and hit off the bench for power.  His first season with the Mets wasn't great but compared to what's available he's a solid bench player.  The 31 y/o right handed hitter is a lifetime .244 hitter, he generally hits about 10 home runs and 12 doubles a season.  Last year he was just slightly below those numbers, in 79 games he hit .234 with 7 HRs and 7 doubles. While he's had a few years of 100 games, he's mostly been a bench player and averaged 80 games a season over his 8 year career.  He was known for his clutch hits off the bench for San Diego in 2010.As a reminder here's an interview I did with a popular Padres blog, Gas Lamp Ball last year when we originally signed Hairston...
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Mets sign Wimberly and Stevens to MiLB
2012-01-04 22:49:00
Adam Rubin reports that the Mets have signed RHP Jeff Stevens and Utility player Corey Wimberly to minor league deals.  Both appear destine for Buffalo but Stevens did make it up for 10 appearances with the Cubs last year and Wimberly was a candidate for the Pirates bench out of spring training. Wimberly is a 27 y/o switch hitter who in seven minor league seasons carries a .297 BA and in 2010 with the Oakland affliate stole 56 bases.  In 2009 he lost part of the season due to a hand injury and last year only played 56 games as he was slowed by injuries.  He had a chance to make the Pirates out of spring training but botched his chances at SS, he's played 2B/SS/3B/CF and LF. By the way he is on twitter here.The Pirates acquired Wimberly from Oakland for RHP Ryan Kelly. Wimberly is a poor man’s Chone Figgins: a small (he may be as little as 5’6″), very fast player who gets on base, steals bases, has no power at all, and plays a number of positions. Primarily a se...
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Should Jeurys Familia be traded...
2012-01-04 17:15:00
Photo by Michael BaronYou should trade from an area of depth and while the players value has peaked.  Jeury's Familia maybe in that exact position right now in his career. I don't expect the big four to be in the Mets rotation in 2-3 years, the odds against that happening are astronomical.  I'm confident that Wheeler and Harvey, barring injury are going to land at the top of the rotation but Mejia and Familia are another story. By many accounts Mejia and Familia are destine for the pen, possibly as closers.  So there's your glut, you don't need two closers, if either prospect was seen long term as a starting pitching then it would make sense to hold onto them.  But as a high end reliever, depth is not as valuable to a club as is their value on the market to a club lacking a prospective closer. Mejia coming off surgery and a failed, albeit rushed and improperly used stint in the majors has little value above his potential. Familia on the other hand...

How The Mets Match Up: Braves
2012-01-04 13:00:00
Catcher: McCann is the better ballplayer...and its not even close.  This is not just a case of experience over youth.  McCann is far better behind the plate and while they sport a similar batting average, McCann offers an element of power that will never be part of Jose Thole's arsenal.1st Base: Despite being two years his senior, Ike Davis and Freddie Freeman have roughly the same amount of major league experience.  Both play an above average first base and feature a nearly identical career batting average in roughly the same number of at bats.  However, while Freeman can hit for power, Ike simply has more and its for that reason that he gets the edge here.2nd Base: This match-up makes for an interesting argument.  Neither player can play a lick of defense.  Murphy hits for average, while Uggla hits for power.  In the end, its those power numbers as well as his health, that give Uggla the nudge.3rd Base:  If we're comparing careers, the nod...
More About: Match , Mets , Braves

Baxter and Loewen could be the bench...
2012-01-04 06:26:00
Photo by Michael BaronWe've heard all off-season that the Mets are looking for at least a 4th and maybe a 5th outfielder on the free agent market.  But as the financial situation has become bleaker, where they went with Quintanilla as the back-up short stop because the cost of a Jack Wilson/Ronny Cedano/Ryan Theriot was too prohibitive there is the distinct possibility that one or both outfielders are already signed. I'm sure Mike Baxter and Adam Loewen when they were originally signed were considered back-up players destine for Buffalo but the way things are shaping up they could end up on the bench. There's plenty of time and players left available but I wouldn't be surprised to hear them say that there's nothing left better then what we have at what it will cost. Mike Baxter is a 27y/o left handed bat off the bench without much power (aside from his 2010 AAA career year), he's a lifetime .277 MiLB hitter and primarily a RF with 1B as a secondary pos...

Omar Quintanilla signing..
2012-01-03 21:01:00
Well it looks like the Mets have their middle infielder, they have signed Omar Quintanilla to a minor league deal.  The former 2003 first round pick can play 2B/SS and 3B but is only a .213 career hitter in 523 major league at bats.The Mets now have Dan Murphy, Justin Turner, Vinny Rottino and Quintanilla to compete at 2B and fill-in at SS, I'd be surprised if any of those veteran middle infielders come aboard after this.

Braves not so interested in Theriot
2012-01-03 17:06:00
Last week it was reported that the Mets were interested in Ryan Theriot, it makes sense for the team to bring in a middle infielder.  One who could take over full time at 2B if Murphy is a bust at the position or play short for two weeks if Ruben Tejada goes on the DL. Of the group of free agent middle infielders Ryan Theriot is the most appealing compared to aging players like Craig Counsell and Jack Wilson or a player who is all glove/no bat like Ronny Cedeno. Granted Theriot's worst position is SS which is the primary reason he'd be signed, since Turner can fill in at 2B, but he's serviceable at the position and provides a decent bat.  I haven't put much validity into the rumors because if the Mets can't close a deal on Cedeno or Wilson then how can they afford an upgrade in Theriot. The only way I see Theriot signing with the Mets is if he falls into our laps, he sees a utility player at 2B and a rookie at SS and believes it's his best chance at what's avai...
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Anything to worry about with Familia's delivery...
2012-01-02 04:24:00
Photo by Michael Baron The Mets once had Generation K, three widely vaunted pitching prospects who fans hoped would anchor the rotation for years to come.  Many people forget that Bobby Jones was a 1st round pick who also came up with Jason Isringhausen, Paul Wilson and Bill Pulsipher.  Aside from Jones who isn't even mentioned in the group the other three never became staples in any rotation.  The three promising prospects all lost their chances to injuries, Isringhausen was the only one to even have a career but as a closer not a starter.So what about this four, I keep hearing wait till 2013 were going to have an incredible rotation.  It kinda reminds me of around 1993-ish when the last of the 86-88 team was completely gone and we were waiting for Generation K to mature....Many blamed the Mets for Generation K's injury problems for over using their and rushing them to the majors. Sounds similar to Mejia who was the first to go down an...
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Difference for Matt Harvey was the stretch...
2012-01-01 04:17:00
Conventional wisdom had Zack Wheeler as the number one Mets prospect with Matt Harvey a close two, as MLB and Baseball America ranked the two pitchers. But as the prospect lists have started to come out not everybody has gone with conventional wisdom; Jon Sickels of Minor League ball, Bullpen Banter, and Mets Prospect Hub all rank Harvey as the top prospect.Mack's Mets page on the sidebar has Wheeler one and Harvey two but in an informal poll for Baseball Instinct his writers reversed that order.I haven't seen a list come out yet from Keith Law of ESPN or Kevin Goldstein of BP. So what happened to Harvey this past season that vaulted him into a competition for the top spot on the prospect list.  Let's not forget that Harvey was selected with the overall 7th pick in the 2010 draft, but coming out of college the biggest concern was his control.  Matt dominated A+ ball and after initial struggles in AA came on strong at the end of the season. He's averaging over one ...

New York Mets 2011 Year In Review
2011-12-30 13:00:00
As the year comes to a close I think its safe to say that 2011, much like the four years before it, will go down in the history books as a year most Mets fans would like to forget. The Mets entered the year in the midst of a total front office overhaul. New general manager, Sandy Alderson, hired Terry Collins to lead a relatively unchanged roster into the year surrounded by questions concerning the team's finances. After what some would describe as a promising first half of the season, the team mustered only a 77-85 record, finishing fourth in the NL East and well removed from playoff contention. The highlight of the year was undoubtedly Jose Reyes' somewhat controversial batting title, the first in team history.The end of the season brought with it the anxiety filled months that lead up to the departure of said batting champ, Jose Reyes, who took his proverbial talents to the Marlins as a free agent. Adding to their woes, financial restrictions have continued to handcuff the...
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Another infielder rumor- Theriot..
2011-12-29 21:15:00
It's clear that the Mets are in the market for a player who could fill in for more then a few games at shortstop.  If Justin Turner was to be the middle infielder on the bench the Mets have already said they'd only be comfortable using him a short for a day or two.In regard to the farm as I chronicled in this post Jordany Valdespin is still learn short and will he appears athletic enough to make the transition his .925 Fld pct. shows he's still learning.  Bringing Wilmer Flores would be more the a stretch at this point in his development.So the Mets are in the market for a middle infielder, why haven't they signed one yet it's not like their expensive, Mark DeRosa just signed for one year  If I had to guess they're hoping one will sign for a minor league deal. The Mets have been linked to Jack Wilson and Ronny Cedano all off season but have not signed either, what could possibly be the reason it's taken so long, is the asking really that prohibitive.  ...
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Is Valdespin temper-mental...
2011-12-28 04:21:00
Photo by Michael BaronJohn Sickels of Minor league ball has posted his 2012 preliminary Mets top 20 prospect list.   Overall, the assessment of the system seems pretty fair and it's nice to see the farm returning to relevancy.  The system appears quite stacked in regard to pitching but still a bit thin in the hitting dept., as they say; Rome wasn't built in a day.One comment Sickels made that did surprise me was in regard to SS/2B prospect Jordan Valdespin.12) Jordan Valdespin, 2B-SS, Grade C+: Will probably rank higher on other lists. Tools and athleticism stand out, developed more power this year, but high-maintenance mercurial personality and sloppy strike zone judgment make me wary that he'll fulfill his potential. source Minor League Ball I don't recall hearing about Valdespin's mercurial personality as Sickels put it, in fact the last thing I recalled hearing was Depodesta singing his praise.“I think at the Double-A level, a lot of the guys we h...
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Mets Rightfully Ask That Dickey Not Climb Kilimanjaro
2011-12-28 00:45:00
As reported by several news outlets today, the New York Mets have asked that R.A. Dickey not climb Mount Kilimanjaro this winter.  Dickey, who has planned this trip as a fundraiser for the Bombay Teen Challenge, is still reportedly planning on making the trip, however it will be against the team's wishes.  In a letter to Dickey the Mets basically said that they reserve the right to void the final year of his contract should anything bad happen on the assent.Oddly enough, many Mets fans have taken exception to the fact that the Mets would prefer that Dickey not make the trip, likely due to the charitable nature of the venture.  I however think that the Mets are absolutely 100% within their right to ask that Dickey not make the climb.According to UltimateKilimanjaro.com, there are an estimated ten deaths annually on the mountain.  Other sites, including MtKilimanjarologue.com claim that of the 30,000 people who attempt the climb every year, roughly 40% don't reac...

Mets Edition: All I Want For Christmas!!
2011-12-25 22:25:00
Stability: [stuh-bil-i-tee] noun 1: the state or quality of being stable.2: firmness in position. 3: continuance without change; permanence.I know a lot of people might say money, but in my opinion if there is one thing that the New York Mets need it would be stability.  This is a pretty new problem for the Mets and not a problem when it relates to the team's front office.  Since 1997, a little more than fifteen years ago now, the Mets have had only five managers.  The same can be said for general managers (excluding interims) since that same time. Yes, organizational stability has not been their problem.No, their problems have come to light in the past twelve to eighteen months.  On the heels of two consecutive losing seasons, the financial bottom feel out last winter.  Since then, it has been nothing but uncertainty and worry about the future of the franchise.  Those finances, which continue to spiral out of control, seem to be reaching rock bottom w...
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Rubin on Turner and Eric Young Jr
2011-12-25 18:30:00
Photo by Michael BaronAdam Rubin during his weekly Thursday chat discussed Eric Young Jr and Justin Tuner.  I know Turner is a fan favorite and the numbers explain why he's become such a favorite;  he hits over .350 with runners on in scoring position even when there's two outs. But Turner can't play SS making it necessary to sign a player who can back-up Ruben Tejada, most any utility short stop is going to play most of the infield making Turner redundant on the bench. Young would provide flexibility that Turner can't; he can fill in at 2B but he's more of an outfield, he would also be the only pinch runner on the bench and when in the line-up could be a base stealing threat. Eric Young Jr. is definitely on the radar. I was told that two days ago. He's more of an outfielder than second baseman, and Colorado has a glut of outfielders, which is why they're motivated. I was told point blank by a source that the deal would get done if the Mets offered Justin Turner. He...

Oakland designated two the Mets should be interested in...
2011-12-24 19:13:00
After the Gio Gonzalez trade the Oakland A's had to designate two players for assignment, two days before Christmas Laden Powell and Jai Miller found out they are no longer on Oakland's major league roster. Powell is the least interesting of the two to me because of the signing of Rob Johnson, Powell is a 29 y/o right handed catcher who was a first round pick in 2004 by Oakland.  After a tremendous NCAA carreer in which he was named to the NCAA College World Series Legends Team, in Oakland he was in the shadow of Kurt Suzuki.  Both catchers drafted in the same year. Suzuki got the bulk of the playing time and was therefore, promoted more aggressively.  After two years of injury set backs in the minors ( 2007-2008) he became the back-up catcher in 2009 and served in that role since, appearing in about 40 games a season while hitting .207.   Powell is another one of those weak hitting defensive catchers, he caught Branden Dallas' perfect game and ...
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Wright to Philly rumor...
2011-12-24 02:49:00
Photo by Michael BaronHere's an interesting rumor that surfaced today about David Wright, a Phillies site is reporting that they've heard Wright could be traded to the Phillies. A site called ThePhillyPhans at their twitter account originally tweeted the rumor.  The founder of that site Kevin Kee is the one who made the tweet.  Now this   site is much like Mets Fever a fan site, however; Kee states he has sources.It appears that after getting some flack about  the rumor Kee continued to clarify his position, to see the actual tweets here's a link to the twitter account. But he does a nice job on Facebook of explaining himself...Let me get this through again. We were just passing along information that came our way, believe it or not. Now the source will remain anonymous. Also when I got the message I said really and questioned whether or not to post it. This source has been 100% correct in the past, but never gave information on trades before. Now, I am not ba...
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A look at newly signed Rob Johnson
2011-12-23 04:37:00
Mets announced today that they have signed Rob Johnson to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.  The 28 y/o right hander is considered to have a strong arm and works well with pitchers, but had issues toward the end of his stay in Seattle with passed balls despite being described as a defensive specialist.  Below is a video of Johnson throwing out Willie Bloomquist who stole 20 bases, from his knees...Johnson was selected in the 4th round of the 2004 draft by the Mariners out of the University of Houston.  He made his major league debut in 2007 appearing in 7 games for the Mariners, over the next three seasons he would appear in 155 games in Seattle serving mostly as the back-up catcher.  The Pads would trade for him and last season he appeared in 67 games. Offensively his numbers are stark; .197 BA, .275 OBP, .297 Slg. and .573 OPS.This would have been Johnson's first year of arbitration and it was estimated that he'd make $422k, &nb...
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Ryan and Gillick tidbits...
2010-10-27 22:50:00
Adam Rubin was my favorite beat writer during his time at the Daily News, before and after the Omar incident.  I still feel he does a great job at ESPN NY but it has lost a little bit of the local flavor.  I say this as a caveat to a compliment to Andy Martino, between my appeal for Rubin's style and Martino's former Mets bashing as a Philly writer, I was bias and slow to warm to him.  I must say Martino is doing a very good job at the Daily News and has done an excellent job covering the Mets GM search.As he wrapped up his GM search reporting Martino has two more interesting tidbits that I hadn't heard before.Many Mets fans wanted former Twins GM Terry Ryan to become the next GM, I see the appeal but I wasn't as enthused with the idea.  It took Ryan six years to start winning and many of his trades are still considered questionable.  I had not heard that Ryan had been interested enough to at least look at our system.My pick would have been Pat Gillick b...
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Sandy not in favor of Wally...
2010-10-27 21:46:00
We've all heard the report that Wally Backman was on Sandy Alderson's short list for manager, maybe that was to appease ownership and maybe he's actually intrigued by the charismatic manager.  He does remind me of LaRussa a bit but when LaRussa was hired Alderson's GM career was in it's infancy and LaRussa was considered more of a Haas hiring ( LaRussa's Playing career was mostly in the Oakland system), Jackie Moore, Jeff Newman, Art Howe and Bud Black ( Bruce Bochy predated Alderson In SD) are more reflective selections.  Matt at Metsblog has a terrific post today on who's tweeting what about Alderson and Backman, speculation vacillates from him being a front runner to losing ground. Sandy has a record of working with what he's given, bringing in key pieces where needed and making those around him better. As I said above LaRussa had a relationship with Oakland owner Haas, Alderson seemed to accept the hiring and both flourished.  In San Diego he accepted the ...

A look at San Diego's last Managerial hiring process...
2010-10-27 07:29:00
So assuming the sources are correct and Sandy Alderson is the new GM of the team, after the appropriate congratulations are given then the first question is who will be the manager.  For most Mets fans their choice would be either Wally Backman or Bobby Valentine.  However, many who know Alderson's style feel neither would be his type of manager.  Bobby V. is a high priced, big ego type that doesn't fall into the middle management role and Backman is too much of a wild card.  Heyman further tweets that Alderson hiring Backman might signal that ownership is in charge.We all know who has managed under Alderson but I thought it might be more insightful to see who interviewed.  In 2006 Kevin Towers interviewed six managerial candidates and reviewed them with Sandy.  Three of the candidates were brought back for second interviews prior to Bud Black being hired.  Dusty Baker interviewed for the San Diego Padres' managerial opening on Monday, the last ...
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Heyman reports Mets hiring Alderson..
2010-10-27 05:42:00
While it doesn't come as a surprise, as a Mets fan you always get the feeling that they're going to screw up even the easiest of things.  This time it appears that they got it right, Jon Heyman just tweeted that his sources are telling him the Mets are hiring Sandy Alderson.#mets are hiring with alderson as gm, sources say. source Jon Heyman Twitter
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Alderson has 2/3 the votes...
2010-10-26 17:22:00
We've all known since the day he threw his hat in the ring that Sandy Alderson was the over whelming favorite to become the next GM of the Mets.  What I found interesting was that it's being reported that Alderson has both Wilpon's in his corner and only team President Saul Katz is left to convince.  It has long been speculated that Jeff Wilpon wanted a young, up coming new GM while his father was more in favor of an old guard guy.  Of course, if there was dissension Fred would win out but would that create another dysfunctional situation, Jeff having a GM thrust upon him by his dad.  However, it's a big step forward if Sandy has sold both of them on himself, Katz doesn't appear to be the type to stand in the way or even get involved in boardroom politics...According to a source with knowledge of the process, Alderson is close to a slam dunk for the job, based on the former Oakland GM's conversations with Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and a longstanding relatio...