IPCT (In Press Conference Transcript) Introducing Sandy

[Frayed Knot]

From Adam Rubin's summary on the Slotting system/draft:

- Major League Baseball recommends signing bonuses based on a prospect's draft position. The Mets try to be good MLB citizens and adhere to that system, but that appears as if it will change under Alderson and they will spend over the recommended amount to exploit the system, as other big-market clubs do. Sometimes, attractive players fall because of fears about their contract demands, and the Mets may now be in position to take advantage of that.
"Where he makes a decision that we should go after a player that may be different than the slot says, we're going to follow that," Fred Wilpon said.
Said Jeff Wilpon: "I think we've gone over quite a bit. Maybe we didn't go for that reach player, and that certainly might change."


The best thing about this isn't that it's going to change the minor league system overnight (it won't) but that it appears to signal a willingness to understand that adhering to the "recommendations" just for the sake of it is a stupid idea that should be broken if/when the right situation arises.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think Backman would be a very popular choice among the fans. At least, among those old enough to remember 1986.

[ashie62]

G-Fafif wrote: "62 is the new 35," says Alderson in his signoff. I'm heartened by his maturity...but he sure did sound tired.

Greg, kinda like you after 3 hours of cat napping.

[ashie62]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think Backman would be a very popular choice among the fans. At least, among those old enough to remember 1986.

I would agree agree with that.

Who really believes Managers put fannys in the seats?

[Lefty Specialist]

Anybody else pleased that our GM can speak in complete, coherent sentences? Omar always sounded like he was juggling bottles of nitroglycerine when he would talk to the media.

[G-Fafif]

Lefty Specialist wrote: Anybody else pleased that our GM can speak in complete, coherent sentences? Omar always sounded like he was juggling bottles of nitroglycerine when he would talk to the media.

Low bar, but he exceeded it. Alderson manages to sound on message without sounding programmed to spew talking points.

[ashie62]

All in all, this will be a very interesting winter to see how Alderson deals with the existing and future existing payrolls.

He will be handling David Wright negotiations at some point not too too far off. Is David a 20 million dollar a year player to the Mets? He is the brand.

[seawolf17]

Ashie62 wrote: He will be handling David Wright negotiations at some point not too too far off. Is David a 20 million dollar a year player to the Mets? He is the brand.

Yes, definitely.

[MFS62]

From Klapisch:
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pro_sports/baseball/103010_Klapisch_Billy_Beane_says_Sandy_Alderson_is_perfect_guy_to_lead_Mets.html

He took some typical Klaptrap shots, but I'm glad to see Sandy will be bringing in Depodesta and also thinks highly of Backman. Other writers and talking heads have been saying that Wally isn't the kind of manager Sandy could work with.

Later

[ashie62]

Wally Backman High Risk/High Reward

Do ya feel lucky? do ya?

[MFS62]

Ashie62 wrote: Jeffie! Do ya feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

I fixed that for you.

Later

[G-Fafif]

Ken Davidoff in Newsday creates an Alderson attribute from very thin air:

Alderson gets it. Fully. He gets New York, as he worked here for many years as a senior executive for Major League Baseball. He gets the Mets; his 1988 Oakland Athletics were set to take on the Mets in that World Series before Mike Scioscia went deep off Dwight Gooden.

How on earth does the fact that his team might might have played the Mets 22 years ago mean Alderson "gets the Mets"? Unless Davidoff has proof that Sandy thought to himself, "If I were running that organization they'd have beaten the Dodgers," and obsessed on it from there, this strikes me as one of the more absurd throwaway lines I've ever seen.

Marty Noble would have used the 1988 near-collision of A's and Mets as a jumping off point and probably gotten a great quote from Dave Magadan while doing so.

[Guest Number 6]

Klapisch wrote: It took guts for the Wilpons, Fred and Jeff, to hire a tough, self-confident man like Alderson, because it means they�ll both have a lower profile from now on.

For all the bad writing by Klap, and the general bitching about Jeff (of which I've definitely been a part), there's some truth to this. And if there's some truth, some credit is due to Jeff Wilpon for presumably being a significant part of this decision.

[Guest Edgy DC]

If by "profile," he means public visibility, I don't really think it's true that Jeff Wilpon clamors for a high profile. I know it's not true of Fred Wilpon.

[Guest Number 6]

If by "profile," he means public visibility, I don't really think it's true that Jeff Wilpon clamors for a high profile. I know it's not true of Fred Wilpon.

You're right, that's certainly what the word means, though I'm not sure it's what Klap was trying to convey. I think the point can also be applied to the more standard criticisms of Jeff's involvement. If he was part of a decision to select Sandy Alderson, while clearly knowing the influential role Sandy would need assured in order for him to take the job, than he's made a decision strongly at odds with many common perceptions of him. If JW was as supremely meddlesome, narcissistic, and controlling as so many make him out to be, Alderson wouldn't be a guy he'd want to hire.

I also think there's truth to this:

"My role hasn't changed," Jeff Wilpon said. "I mean, your perception of my role is probably not what my role really is. Your perception of the role, and the fan-base perception, is not correct. So my role has not changed."

Jeff Wilpon: Boogieman.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Matt Cerrone wrote: The Mets have announced a 5 pm conference for today with Alderson, according to the Daily News.

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Matt Cerrone wrote: The Mets have announced a 5 pm conference for today with Alderson, according to the Daily News.

Does this guy sleep?

Fired some scouts today, sounds like.

[metirish]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Matt Cerrone wrote: The Mets have announced a 5 pm conference for today with Alderson, according to the Daily News.

One assumes it's not about the concession stands , OMFG, the wait will kill me.

[Ceetar]

metirish wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Matt Cerrone wrote: The Mets have announced a 5 pm conference for today with Alderson, according to the Daily News. One assumes it's not about the concession stands , OMFG, the wait will kill me.

They do really need another shake shack.

[Gwreck]

Adam Rubin is reporting that Razor Shines has been fired.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm not seeing any confirmation of this press conference (yet, anyway) from anywhere else, including on the Daily News' site.

Nor is there anything on SNY's site.

[TransMonk]

I'm guessing the announcement of Ricciardi and DePodesta coming on as well as a vague (but less vague than last week) timeframe for a managerial hiring.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Ed Price tweets

Reports have surfaced about some scrapes Sandy has had with the law. They spoke to him about these incidents and weren't entirely satisfied with his answers. They're embarassed they didn't vet him more thoroughly but they feel it's best to move on. They wish he'd been more up-front about his past but they want to set the best example possible for their fans.

[metirish]

And why hold a press conference to fire Razor Shines?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

All of the Mets coaches became "free agents" yesterday as their contracts ran out. Shines (and Dave Jauss) were Manuel guys, I am sure they both won't be back, so there wouldn't be firing, just not re-hiring.

Hale may hang around to be re-hired as 3B coach or even manager, and Hojo and Niemann are expected to get jobs somewhere in the org but prolly not what they were.

[metirish]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: All of the Mets coaches became "free agents" yesterday as their contracts ran out. Shines (and Dave Jauss) were Manuel guys, I am sure they both won't be back, so there wouldn't be firing, just not re-hiring. Hale may hang around to be re-hired as 3B coach or even manager, and Hojo and Niemann are expected to get jobs somewhere in the org but prolly not what they were.

Hojo and Niemann could work at the new concession stands that Alderson will announce

[Benjamin Grimm]

SNY has Daily News Live scheduled for 5, so if there's anything going on I'm sure there will be live coverage.

[G-Fafif]

Adam Rubin reporting Mets have hired J.P. Ricciardi.

[Benjamin Grimm]

That's what it is. "Breaking News" on SNY.

[metirish]

T

Benjamin Grimm wrote: That's what it is. "Breaking News" on SNY.

Tune in next week for "Breaking News" to see id Paul Depodesta joins the Mets.


Yes, that is Fred milking Sandy's teats.