It seems most of us do. Sandy is a smart guy, and he’s a lot closer to the process than we are. I understand that second guessing the team is almost as much fun as actually watching them play, but it’s time to take a little step back and trust in our newly hired general manager and his front office.
The idea is that just because we think something is obvious, that a decision HAS TO happen, doesn’t mean it does. We are not the general managers of this team, we are fans. As fans, the number one thing we want to see is the Mets to play winning baseball on the way to the World Series. We do not know how to achieve this, and we certainly don’t have a better idea of it than Sandy Alderson.
It’s time to stop demanding that Oliver Perez has to go. We do not know better than Alderson on whether or not Luis Castillo can contribute to the 2011 Mets. We don’t know that Backman/Valentine/Mazilli/Stengel is the absolute perfect fit to manage this team. We don’t know how attainable certain free agents are, how much we can afford to give them, or what the best fit for the team is.
I’m not saying we can’t talk about it. It can be fun to debate free agents acquisitions, it’s an interesting exercise to write up mock 2011 batting orders. Digging into advanced statistics to look for bargain pitchers can be a great learning experience about the game. It makes sense to doubt that Oliver Perez will get his fastball back up or be a contributing pitcher.
Last year nearly every free agent signing or trade was met with comments from Mets fans along the lines of “Why didn’t we at least offer X?”, “That guy would’ve been perfect at Citi Field!”, “Henry Blanco? Well gee, the World Series is a lock now!” Many of these comments were unfair last year, and the same holds true today. Sandy has a plan, and we’re going to have to trust in him to execute it. Trust in him not to put losing players on the field, and to start building a roster that can compete year after year.
“It’s time to stop demanding that Oliver Perez has to go”
Sorry as a Fan I am within my right to ask to see players come and go that I would like on my team.
I am fully aware that me asking is not an agreement and that my asking may be the wrong move. My asking is just an expressing of one fans desire.
I also understand that every fan does not have to agree with me and they may have their own players they’d like to see or not see on the team and they too are just expressing one fans desire.
I’m all for giving him a chance. I expect to “like” or “dislike” his player moves as they happen, but will try not to let that cloud my overall view. Besides, 2011 is likely going to be a placeholder year: barring an outrageously bad trade of a prospect-for-washed-up-veteran, there’s really not that much he can do to dramatically change their fortunes next year.
As for Ollie, I’m with you: there’s no need to dump him now. He’s not pitching, he can’t hurt us until April, so why not bring him to camp to see what he’s got? We’ll be paying him anyway. If they need a spot on the 40-man, maybe he gets cut: otherwise string him along and see if he can rebuild his value. Even a tiny shred might help them save money in a GMJ trade.
NJ: It’s definitely within your rights to say who’d you like to see. That’s part of the fun. But if he’s throwing 92, and the Mets scouts/Alderson say it looks like he’s going to contribute, and he does, do you still advocate for his release?
JD: I disagree on the placeholder thing. If failure in 2011 is the only way to have a chance in the future is what Alderson is selling, i’m not going to be happy. We’ll certainly like and dislike and debate and argue his moves as they happen, but at this point it’s silly to say we trust him and then turn around and berate him for not making the moves we think he should make.
Sandy Alderson has to have a chance to do something before I can decide if I trust his judgement. This offseason, unless he does something flagrantly idiotic — along the line of trading Jose Reyes for David Eckstein, for example — he gets a pass.
Next winter, there will be time to start judging him based on his performance.
“But if he’s throwing 92, and the Mets scouts/Alderson say it looks like he’s going to contribute, and he does, do you still advocate for his release?”
Obviously if he is contributing why would I say he should go?
The whole point is right now I don’t think he will hence why i’d like to see him gone but Ollie can change that by just pitching well.
Heck if they feel Nelson Figueroa can contribute and Figgy comes in and does I will be all for Figgy also.
Add Glavine or any pitcher to that mix if they can actually contribute.
The point is right now i have no faith that Ollie can contribute but that doesn’t mean that can’t change and if he does great if he doesn’t then i will continue to say get rid of him.