Adam Rubin's 3 part series on the "Mess"

[G-Fafif]

The Mets were playing good baseball in June, and the consensus was that they had a strong mix of tough, personable veterans and eager young kids. Two months later, the positive energy has dissipated into a toxic gloom, making an upheaval more likely. The four players who were earlier credited with giving the Mets strong leadership � Jason Bay, Rod Barajas, Alex Cora and Jeff Francoeur � are gone, injured or have diminished roles. Bay is probably out for the season with a concussion, Barajas was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cora was cut earlier this month and Francoeur has become a part-time player.

Perhaps it's just Timesean caution, but the conditional phrase "credited with giving the Mets strong leadership" (as opposed to simply saying they provided that strong leadership) strikes me as interesting. Though it's out of fashion to admire those qualities (without snarking it up over OPS, et al), they sure look good IF everything else is going well...like if there's "good baseball in June". As ever, unknowable debate whether positive energy contributes to winning games or winning games is what creates positive energy.

When the Mets were going well, Ike Davis was complimented regularly on looking like he belonged, how he was no raw rook, but the veterans liked him. Now that he and his team are slumping, I notice a sudden uptick in "Ike has his own ideas on hitting and doesn't necessarily want to take advice" observation. Ike's one golden sombrero away from "Know your place, rook."

Not that there aren't deep-seated issues with this organization, but one gets the feeling that if the ball bounced a little friendlier once every few weeks and the Mets were, say, three games out right now, we'd be reading stories about the incredible intestinal fortitude everybody from the Wilpons on down ("making do in a stressful environment") have shown, clear to Luis Castillo's calming influence and Oliver Perez's graceful acceptance of a diminished role

[Zvon]

When the Mets cut Cora, called up Fernando Martinez and made Ruben Tejada the everyday second baseman, David Wright said the moves sent �mixed signals� about the team�s intentions the rest of the season. Since then, Martinez was sent back to Class AAA Buffalo, causing only more confusion.

This concerns me right now more than anything.
The organization should at least be clear on this. Are they looking foward to next season or are they still working on bettering their standing this season. It is possible at this point to tread up the middle of that decision (might even be wise) but it's not fair to fans. Because, if there is still hope in eyes of management, we want them to be fielding the best possible lineup whenever possible.

Even Manuel is confusing things now. He says we are still fighting for this season, but then he's giving Tejada this extended look which screams "MY PRIORITY IS THE FUTURE".
Which is it ? Come-on.
I'm willing to get on the same page if they can decide what page we are on.

[metirish]

I thought Sherman had some interesting thoughts today

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/lesson_from_lou_ALCWdYyZlxqHT5NuhnzUQL


http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/hardball/up_mets_manager_nova_bautista_GshIk5voHiGFna0V9zbVWO

[bmfc1]

Part 3 is out and it's as illuminating as parts 1 and 2:

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/columns/story?columnist=rubin_adam&id=5494308

[metirish]

the sun will come up tomorrow.

This has become this years " meaningful games in September" for Fred.

It's so fucking stupid the way this has been latched on to.

[MFS62]

Full of "whats" and totally barren on "hows".
It would be nice to see at least one reporter (I hope it's Waldstein) write a real plan on how they would go about fixing the problems they identify.
Its one thing to talk about the heavy contracts of Perez and Castillo.
Don't any of them have "resources" who might tell them which other teams might want them, and for what/ who?
Instead of listing the candidates for GM, who would they recommend? Why? (The closest I've seen is some writers mentioning that Towers built a contender with limited financial resources. Would he be the best choice in terms of the overall responsibilities of a GM?)

Rubin "wanted to be a GM" according to Minaya.
OK, Sparky, tell us what you'd do.

Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

My, but aren't folks racing to the autopsy room?

[HahnSolo]

Adam Rubin chatting RIGHT NOW:

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chats

[metirish]

He looks suspiciously like Rob Neyer

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

See: column on the right.

The Iron Sheik and a few of his Rock'n, Wrestl'n buddies have asked a few direction-of-the-franchise-type questions.