Feliciano: Mets Reason For DL Stint

Former Mets reliever and LOOGY, Pedro Feliciano, is set to start his Yankee career on the disabled list. He can thank his tenure with the New York Mets under former manager, Jerry Manuel, for this.

It is no secret that Manuel most certainly wore out his bullpen. Any iota of trouble his starters would show, he would pull them and bring in someone from the bullpen. Feliciano was among these individuals having pitched in 88 games in 2009 and 92 games in 2010. Everyone knows that Feliciano was only supposed to be the lefty specialist. Manuel felt otherwise and used him in all situations.

Now Feliciano is feeling the wear and tear he has had to endure. A triceps injury will keep him in Tampa for extended spring training.

Could it be that Mets General Manager, Sandy Alderson, actually did the Mets a favor in letting him walk? Quite possible. He never went to the disabled list before.

Will Feliciano still be effective for the New York Yankees like he was for the New York Mets? A fair question that just might be answered “no”. A rubber arm, he does not have. We all know how Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, loves to use his bullpen.

Collins: Will The Real Gangsta Please Stand Up?

Collins: "Who ya shovin'?"

So you remember back in 2010 when a certain Phillies player decided to take out the Mets second baseman, Ruben Tejada, in a nasty slide that you wish the Mets players would have the cojones to do? Well, Terry Collins had something to say about that to the Daily News:

In Philly there would have been a fight, no doubt about it.

Now that’s what I’m talking about. I would love to be a part of that throw down. Well, this would be why I’m not allowed to go to a game at Citizen’s Bank Park. That is another story.

I love a manager who has the philosophy of protecting your teammate and throw down if need be. This is something that the ’86 Mets had that seems to have died with recent players. The New York Mets are supposed to be the opposite of the Bronx Snobs. You get down and dirty if you have to.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is more than swagger. This is about playing with a chip on your shoulder. This is about fighting for your right to be in playoffs. It is about taking down anybody and everybody who gets in your way. It is about “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”.

So Collins has every intention of spreading the message around to the players that they will watch each other’s backs. There will be no suckers or pansies here. There will be no running away with their tails between their legs. So there will undoubtedly be a war between the jerkoffs in Philly and the New York Mets.

Of this I can promise you.

Former Mets Jerry Manuel could have learned a thing or two from Collins. Glad he did not though. Otherwise we might still be stuck with him. Manuel definitely knew nothing about being a gangsta. Collins appears to know everything. So will the real gangsta please stand up?

Wilpons Turn To Speak

So there was a lot that was said during the press conference with Fred and Jeff Wilpon. A lot of conflicting stories, a shocker and some stupid reporters. This presser was mostly repetitive. If you did not watch it, be grateful. I lost nearly an hour of my life listening to repetitions.

I will say that you could see how tired, upset and hurt the elder Wilpon was. I actually felt a little sorry for him. I seem to be feeling sorry for a lot of people today. He knows what needs to be done and I think he will certainly see to it that it happens.

On to the presser:

Both made statements to start off. However, Fred Wilpon’s stood out the most.

We’ve had [some] good years but too many bad years. I love the New York Mets. I love this franchise. They are a part of our family. As CEO of this team, I have the last word… The buck stops here. So I take the responsibility [for what happens on the field]. The last four years have been the most frustrating and disappointing.

Regarding Omar Minaya, Wilpon Sr. said:

We encourage Minaya to take some time off and think about what his future is going to be. He is going to do that. He can stay with the organization. The new GM will have to make the decision for him to stay.

Regarding the new GM, Jeff stated:

We will ask permission to speak to new GM candidates and hire someone as soon as we believe is feasible. We are considering up and comers and those with long-term experience. We are going outside the organization so we can get some new ideas and energize our team and fan base.

There is no internal candidate right now. So we will be looking outside of the organization.

The old GM had [autonomy]. (In other words, he probably will as well.)

(Type of GM) More experienced GMs, some who have lost their jobs and might get a second chance. Even some young guys. [We will look at] what kind of culture they want to bring in.

Why did Fred Wilpon feel so bad, disappointed:

Because the expectations were high. We thought we were on the right track. We came close….were close but we couldn’t close. We invested a lot fo time and energy and passion and money and we did not get to where we wanted to get to. We made inveestment that did not prove to be great investments.

Clearing up perceptions on ownership, it was said they would have taken advisement on dumping players. The claim it was never brought to their attention. Wilpon continued with:

Play the players who are going to win that particular day. They were not told not to play them. They were told to play the player to win that particular day.

Minaya has never been told that he was not told who to sign or who not to sign. This is a very good jo. People want to be teh GM and the Manager. (Really? That was not my perception. lol)

We are not capable of picking baseball players. That has been the perception. It is an incorrect perception.

Decisions are made between [Fred, Jeff and Katz]. Jeff’s responsibilities are not to pick baseball players. Jeff’s responsibility is to execute it…in running this entire business.

The attention was brought about more firings. Jeff answered:

John Ricco and everyone else will know their fates tomorrow.

Could someone come in and say they hate everyhing and want:

Jeff: We would listen to that plan and see that that guy gets the job.

Wilpon Sr.: We would not want someone to make that decision the first day. But he has to make an assessment.

Clearing it up regarding players:

Jeff: We can’t just dump all of that salary out int shtreet. He has to come up with interesting ways to do that.

On the topic of players, it was asked about getting rid of David Wright:

You’d have to listen. Let me be clear – David Wright is part of the long-term plan if I have anything to say about it.

Back to asking about finances which I am a little tired of hearing about because Marty Noble seems to think SNY viewership is down. Wilpon Sr. seemed perturbed by this:

SNY is reaching a record viewership.

The Madoff issue…the money smarts. There is no question. You don’t like to lose money that was stolen from you. But the betrayal is something I will never ever forget. I will go to my grave remembering that. That was a total betrayal of us. We were investors for something like 25 yers. But it was only one part of our busisness. But that’s not part of the business that is running the [mets].

Short-term goal for 2011:

Jeff: New GM, new manager then to win games.

There will be an announcement regarding ticket sales. What will get Mets fans to buy tickets again?:

Jeff: The change has to be the drive.

Other interesting quotes:

Jeff: Those who don’t remember the past are doomed to repeat it. Of course there will be changes in how we do everything.

Jeff: We’re frustrated and upset like our fans.

Wilpon, Sr.: Our job is too put people in a position to succeed. We thought were giving them resources to succeed. So we have to take on that responsibility. If the people you put in did not succeed, we did not do what we wanted to do. So we have to take on that responsibility.

Wilpon, Sr.’s message to fans:

We’ll work as hard as anybody can work. We’ll hire the best person or people we can possibly find.

Side note

After the presser, Jeff Wilpon spoke with Kevin Burkhardt and stated that HoJo will have a job with the organization.

Relieved of Duties

The announcement has been made. Executive VP and GM Omar Minaya along with Manager Jerry Manuel have been relieved. In layman’s terms, they were fired. The Mets have declined his option. There has been no word if Minaya will be reassigned. Since the Mets still owe him money, he can still be around. However, he also has the option to leave should he choose.

Here is a statement by COO Jeff Wilpon:

We need to hire a new General Manager with fresh perspective who will transform this club into a winner that we want and our fans deserve.

Jeffy Boy fails to realize that in order to make the club a winner, he needs to mind his own business. Take a backseat my friend. You are not the GM. You have no credentials to be a GM. It is not in your job description. Just because you own the team, that does not mean you can play GM.

From the official Mets statement

Thank you for your support during another extremely disappointing season. Like you, all of us at the Mets had high expectations for 2010 and we did not come close to meeting them. Since reaching the National League Championship Series in 2006, we have underperformed. The failure is unacceptable and we share your anguish…

We appreciate all that Omar and Jerry have done for the Organization and thank them for their time and effort. Changes like these are never easy, especially when dealing with people you like and respect.

So Merry early Christmas Mets fans. You got what you wanted and demanded.

Firings and Hirings

As if nobody saw this coming? You have to be completely daffy and lack common sense to have not come to theconclusion of the New York Mets getting rid of their GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel. The internet is being flooded with Mets fans celebrating over the firing of these two.

SI.com and the New York Post are both reporting the announcement will be made by Wednesday. Now, Minaya can be placed in another spot with the team. We all know he is a great talent scout. Will that happen? We’ll see. As of right now, nothing is being said except they are both fired.

At least it is a start in the right direction. So now we wait to see who the next GM and manager will be. While everyone has talked about new Arizona Diamondbacks GM, Kevin Towers, there are still others ripe for the taking. One person who may not be even getting looked at is Mets assistant GM, John Ricco. For good reason. We do not want any of the Minaya regime to remain.

A couple of names being tossed around by Jon Heyman are former Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes, White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, former A’s GM Sandy Alderson and current Rangers GM, Jon Daniels. Being that Daniels is under contract and the Rangers are going to the playoffs, do not expect him here. Even if he is from Bayside.

Now for manager, Mets fans would love to see Bobby Valentine or Wally Backman. We’ve been over this half a dozen times already. No need for another visit. Whoever they choose, however, has got to be better than what we’ve had to endure.

What the Mets need are two guys who have balls. Having a “Yes Man” is not the answer. People say that me being pushy is a good thing. When people push me, I push back. This is the new attitude that the new GM and manager need to have. If the Wilpons push them, they need to push back. Push Jeffy Boy flat on his ass and tell him to “back the hell up”. If they cannot find a guy like that, we can look forward to another dismal season.

I believe the new GM and manager will be key to the 2011 season. It will  be a very long, stressful and tedious offseason trying to right this ship. Well, that and ownership knowing where their place is, like behind the desk with the checkbook out and a pen in hand.

So what will it take for you to believe in the organization again? Selling the team is not going to happen. Let us be realistic.

Minaya Knows Time Is Ending

Well most fans of the New York Mets will be happy to hear this. According to Ken Rosenthal on FoxSports, Mets GM, Omar Minaya, is telling friends he knows his time with the Mets are coming to a close. At least as a General Manager is concerned.

Now, I have said for awhile that Minaya has an eye for talent. He should be a talent scout. Should he be dethroned, the Mets should have him remain on as a scout. It makes perfect sense! If it were not for him, we would not have the kids we have now. There would not be something to be excited about for the future.

If he did nothing else, you have to give him credit for that. Minaya deserves credit for our minor leaguers. He gets credit for keeping the kids here and not sending them packing to do wonders for another team.

Rosenthal gave a list of people who could possible replace him. There is Assistant GM, John Ricco, to name one. Other names tossed out there are John Hart, former Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians GM, and Marlins Exec Dan Jennings. I see Ricco stepping in. Getting somebody from the outside is too bold of a move for the Mets to make.

Tom Pich of MetsGuide seems to think they should not move up Ricco because “he’s part of the current regime”. I think it could work because at least Ricco knows what NOT to do. It’s like a younger sibling learning from the mistakes of the older sibling.

Should Minaya be demoted? Should he remain and Jerry Manuel take the fall? Should Minaya quit? These are all questions you can answer however way you want to. In the end, it is up to the Wilpons what will be done with him.

Manuel Screws Up Again

Why oh why oh why?! Only two days after Jerry Manuel says he is going to find playing time for Jeff Francoeur, he still sits him.

Here is what tonight’s outfield is looking like:

• Chris Carter -RF
• Angel Pagan – CF
• Fernando Martinez – LF

What the frig? I understand sitting Carlos Beltran. Yet, with them sitting him and placing Pagan in center, why is Frenchy not playing right field? It boggles the mind. it is no wonder that Frenchy wanted to discuss trade options.

Manuel says he sees the talent Martinez has despite not being able to put it together in the minors. So let’s just bring his problems to the big league level. That makes total friggin’ sense. Who is he kidding?

So Manuel feels he will only use Frenchy in left-handed situations. Oh because this whole righty vs lefty and lefty vs. righty crap has been working all season, right?

I cannot stand this anymore. The lack of logic makes me sick to my stomach. Maybe Manuel has something against right fielders. First Ryan Church and now Frenchy. Why not bench David Wright? With a batting average of .133, I can see why they want to keep playing him. Let Mike Hessman play third instead of Wright. He has a .188 average. So much better.

Sigh.

Moves of The Wrong Kind

Every one had made moves except the New York Mets before the trade deadline. Since then, every one has made moves after the trade deadline, just not the moves normally made.

When you think of moves during and after the deadline, you think of trades, demotions, etcetera. Yet since the passing of the deadline, other moves have been made.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have fired pitching coach Joe Kerrigan and bench coach Gary Varsho.

The Seattle Mariners have fired their manager Don Wakamatsu. Understandably so. The Mariners looked like a solid team, but have not been able to compete in their division. They are in the cellar of their division. They did not stop there. They cleaned house by also getting rid of bench coach Ty Van Burkleo, pitching coach Rick Adair, and performance coach Steve Hecht.

There have been countless others who are on the unemployment line.

So why are the Mets the only ones who still have their people in tact? Why are they not filing for unemployment? Not that they really need to. With the money they have made, they do not need it.

I really have to scratch my head and wonder why Jerry Manuel and Howard Johnson still have jobs. I do not want to hear about how much we love HoJo. If he is not getting the job done, can him. Manuel has made one foul up after foul up. How is it that you sit someone who has finally gotten on a hot streak? I’m talking about Jeff Francoeur. He was just getting into a groove and you screw him over by sitting him?

Let us not even get into all of the stupid pitching mistakes he has made that has cost us games when the offense finally decided to wake up.

After such a disappointing road trip, one the Mets could have possibly taken, Manuel and company should have been given their walking papers.

Other wrong moves? The releasing of Alex Cora instead of Oliver Perez. A mere two million dollars is not going to do anything.

Who cares what is owed to Perez?! Be done with him already. He is useless. He is the biggest jerk on the team. He is self-absorbed and a coward. That’s right. I said it. Oliver Perez is a freakin’ coward who needs to stand behind his agent, Scott Bor-ass, to fight his battles for him. Perez just cares about the money as does Bor-ass. People like that have no business here. He does not try. He does not care. He has no respect for anyone or from anyone. Even his teammates hate him.

So what is being done about it? Nothing. As the Mets continue to crash and getting ready to burn, everyone sits on their arses doing nothing but wait for another season to be shot to hell.

Omar Minaya, as GM of the Mets, you are paid to do a job. While I have defended you in the past, at this moment I can no longer do so. You are not doing your job and I am disgusted by your lack of effectiveness. I am angered by your lack of passion. If you truly are doing your job, then you would have gotten rid of this poor coaching staff. Manuel would no longer be here.

Mr. Minaya, you are pushing me to the point where I will be calling for your job. Right now, the only thing you have proven yourself as is a great talent scout. You have shown you are incapable of making the big decisions. You are unable to fire people when it is needed. You are not paid to be loyal to your players. You are paid to call them and the staff to task. You have not done so.

Sir, with all due respect, these things start at the top. Maybe Manuel is unable to pull a player when he needs to be pulled or allows the players to walk all over him because you allow your staff to do with you. Mr. Minaya, it is time for you to take action. Should you wish to gain what little respect remains for you, you will fire the people who need to be fired.

I seldom tell people how to do their job, but in this case, I fell you need to be told since you are not doing it. Your lack of action has greatly soured myself and Mets fans everywhere. While I am willing to understand your inability to get a trade done to save our farm system, there are other moves that you can be making and have not.

I think you need to do something and do it now. Anything short of a firing is unacceptable, Mr. Minaya.