Mets Q and A: - Brewer Prospect and Einhorn

Erik Hudson to me: - Mack, You have any thoughts on the two guys we picked up in the K-Rod deal? Just warm bodies? I'm kind of surprised the Brewers were able to negotiate away the option year fairly easily, an we never heard of that as even a possibility while he was with us. Also, any thoughts on the Einhorn deal falling through? It feels like next year might be another year without much hope. 2013 we may have several of those good arms make the majors, but then you can't expect they'll be able to carry you to the playoffs their first year. As always, your posts have been great. Love your insights. Keep it up. Erik


Thanks for your warm thoughts. I was hoping for at least one better player in the K-Rod deal, but I’m not surprised. The Brewers’ system was decimated from past trades and the quality just wasn’t there. Herrera has produced a below 4 ERA in the majors, so he’ll get a good look in Queens this month. Don’t blink. He’s like three foot two. Regarding the Einhorn non-deal. Word I had was it was a very bad deal that Einhorn almost pulled over on the Wilpons. It was loaded against the family keeping control of the team in the future and it is only something someone would agree to if they were desperate. I don’t expect the lawsuit to generate anything more than $200mil, if anything at all. No, if I was the Wilpons I would have done the same thing, but I never would have let the kid on the field with a Mets hat on.


A few more thoughts on this.


The New York Mets are a viable revenue producing business. All you have to do is operate it within means. Forget the Madoff mess. This still was a team out of control, trying to financially compete with the other team in town. The difference between the Yankees and the Mets are the Yankees consistently go deep in the playoffs and sometimes win it all. The Mets don’t.


Sandy Alderson seems to have things under control. You will see a 3-4 year offer for Jose Reyes, but no more. You’ll see 3-4 more offered to David Wright, but no more. And you will eventually see the contracts of Jason Bay, and Johan Santana go away. After that, this team will operate at a top payroll of $100mil, and make money. It’s not Kansas City. It’s New York City.