What cost success?
I don't understand the logic behind the following, written by Ben Shpigel of The New York Times on Sept. 10:
Why is it "extraordinarily unlikely?" Wagner's $10.5 million is money going to a player who cannot play. What's the difference whether that player is a closer, a starter, an outfielder or a second baseman who can't stay healthy? Certainly the Mets don't have a "closer budget."
At least $33 million will be coming off the Mets' payroll at the end of the year -- Pedro (12), Alou (7.5), El Duque (7) and Perez (6.5). Even if they resign Pedro and Perez, it'll be for about the same combined amount next year (Pedro less money for a year, Perez around $10 million a year). And if they don't resign Pedro and/or Perez, they'll probably spend the same or less on those two starting spots.
That leaves $14.5 million to play with nest season. K-Rod's asking price is expected to be about $15 million a year. How convenient!
The Mets really have no other glaring needs. Church will be back, Daniel Murphy has been a revelation and will end up either in left or at second base, and the rest of the positions are basically covered, and that includes the bullpen -- with the obvious exception of closer.
Moving into the new stadium next year, with all that additional revenue coming in (that's why they built it, right?) and coming off a (hopefully) successful playoff season, the Mets will be in a terrific position to once again make the playoffs and win a division title, and draw another 4 million fans. And having a lockdown closer like K-Rod, still in his 20s and probably the top closer in the game, would go a long, long way toward making that happen.
But Shpigel is saying that because they'll have to pay Wagner his $10.5 million, that is going to prevent them from making the one impact move that would put them ahead of the competition. That $10 million -- which isn't much in the grand scheme of things -- is going to get in the way of making a smart baseball decision, especially when they will be making more money than they ever have in the palace of Fred Wilpon's dreams.
That's not only upsetting and disappointing, it is insulting.
The Mets’ insurance policy does not cover Billy Wagner’s 2009 salary, meaning they are responsible for all $10.5 million. That makes it extraordinarily unlikely that they will pursue a high-priced closer like Francisco Rodríguez of the Angels.
Why is it "extraordinarily unlikely?" Wagner's $10.5 million is money going to a player who cannot play. What's the difference whether that player is a closer, a starter, an outfielder or a second baseman who can't stay healthy? Certainly the Mets don't have a "closer budget."
At least $33 million will be coming off the Mets' payroll at the end of the year -- Pedro (12), Alou (7.5), El Duque (7) and Perez (6.5). Even if they resign Pedro and Perez, it'll be for about the same combined amount next year (Pedro less money for a year, Perez around $10 million a year). And if they don't resign Pedro and/or Perez, they'll probably spend the same or less on those two starting spots.
That leaves $14.5 million to play with nest season. K-Rod's asking price is expected to be about $15 million a year. How convenient!
The Mets really have no other glaring needs. Church will be back, Daniel Murphy has been a revelation and will end up either in left or at second base, and the rest of the positions are basically covered, and that includes the bullpen -- with the obvious exception of closer.
Moving into the new stadium next year, with all that additional revenue coming in (that's why they built it, right?) and coming off a (hopefully) successful playoff season, the Mets will be in a terrific position to once again make the playoffs and win a division title, and draw another 4 million fans. And having a lockdown closer like K-Rod, still in his 20s and probably the top closer in the game, would go a long, long way toward making that happen.
But Shpigel is saying that because they'll have to pay Wagner his $10.5 million, that is going to prevent them from making the one impact move that would put them ahead of the competition. That $10 million -- which isn't much in the grand scheme of things -- is going to get in the way of making a smart baseball decision, especially when they will be making more money than they ever have in the palace of Fred Wilpon's dreams.
That's not only upsetting and disappointing, it is insulting.
posted by Gaspo @ 6:51 AM
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