Twenty-four and one
Who doesn't remember Steve Phillips, then the Mets' general manager, referring to Alex Rodriguez as a "twenty-four-and-one" player? It was seven years ago, the last time A-Rod was a free agent, and Phillips' attempt to smear A-Rod wound up hurting the Mets more than did the player. Everyone knew that the Mets simply didn't want to pay up for the game's best player.
Now A-Rod is a free agent once more, and as Newsday's David Lennon reports today, the Mets will at least contemplate the idea of pursuing the superstar.
That probably speaks more to the Mets' humillity, in light of their historic collapse, than anything else - "We can't rule out anything." But come on now, would any team have to rearrange more furniture than the Mets in order to make room for A-Rod? They have young All-Stars, signed to reasonable contracts, at both shortstop and third base.
It would be criminal to trade Jose Reyes, no matter how awful he looked toward the end of 2007. And really, David Wright, Mr. "I'd do anything for the team," deserves to keep his job at third base.
Remember, the Mets' offense perked up considerably after the All-Star break. There are enough bats here. The Mets need to figure out their pitching staff, if they are to move beyond The Collapse.
Yes, signing A-Rod would shift the spring-training attention from the past to the present, but that's not a good enough reason to mess with one of your few pillars. The Mets should pass on A-Rod once again, but this time because of solid, baseball reasons.
What do you think, Mets fans? Do you want A-Rod?
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Comments (18)
A-Rod...NO !!! Johan Santana...YES !!!
I think it is interesting that more fans and baseball management will be drooling and really fighting over Santana's free agency, than A-Rod's opting out of his contract. It seems that many teams have to do some serious re-arrangement of their infield to give A-Rod a position at SS or Third Base.
The only team that needs a third baseman, and can afford A-Rod is ironically the Yankees, who appears don't want him, and having them out of the picture, lowers the bidding. I think the consensus is that Tom Hicks blew it when he signed A-Rod
Santana on the other hand, may get the most expensive contract per year, because the bidding will be insane, with the Yankees being the craziest in the bunch throwing huge number to get Santana.
Why arent't any of these columnists realizing that we dont have a second baseman right now. Instead of talking about moving david wright (which is ludicrous by the way) out of 3B, let's discuss the more logical decision of moving reyes back over to 2B and letting A-Rod play his natural shortstop position.
Your telling me that and infield of Wright, A-Rod, and Reyes isnt possibly the greatest we've ever seen, regardless of who plays first.
And let's be honest about another thing, Even if we do sign A-Rod, there is always going to be money for pitching. Schilling only wants a 1 year deal. Sounds good to me until the young gus are ready. Pedro comes off the books after next year and so does Delgado (assuming the Mets buy him out). So for one year they'll break the bank. Big deal. It's about time Fred Wilpon pony up and finally put the nail in the Yankees coffin while restoring the Mets to their dominant years of the 1980's when they owned this town.
I'd like someone to tell me a better way to close out Shea and open a new ballpark to a World Series title. Not to mention solidifying your revenue stream for the next decade.
I think A-Rod is a product of the lying greedy piece of crap Scott Boras. I know A-Rod is a big boy but Boras
is the one that talked him into signing with Texas for the money instead of finding the then young man A-rod a deal with a true contender. With that said I would want no part of A-rod because he is tainted merchandise because of Boras. The Mets need a top of the rotation starter and middle relief help more than anything. Forget this guy and move on to making the team better without this guy.
Why do we need to move anyone from the infield??? If anything, A-Rod should go to 2nd base because that is what the Mets really need. Wright is a better 3rd baseman and Reyes belongs at SS. None of those two deserve to be moved especially Reyes who moved to 2nd before. I'm sorry but A-Rod does not belong on this team. Phillips was right. This guy only cares about himself because even if your agent is a big a-hole, the decision to sign is still left to the player. A-Rod cared for the money in 2000 and in 2007 he still cares for the money. The ring will always be elusive to him. I hope he never wins won. Goodluck somewhere else. No to A-Rod. Get pitching! Trade for Haren.
Ralphy and Co.,
I'm not sure if you actually watch Mets and/or Yankee games but David Wright is not a better fielding 3rd baseman than A-Rod. A-Rod is more athletic and has a more accurate and stronger throwing arm. Wright made quite a handful of errors down the stretch, many of which cost us a game or two. Now obviously Wright was not the lone culprit in the Mets' historic collapse, but his defense sure was spotty. I would move Wright to either first or second, which ever he is more comfortable doing. What kind of fans would want to pass on perhaps the greatest hitter in the history of baseball? Were you all content with the way the season ended last year? Do you think there is some prize pitcher available via UFA that could help this team? Answer those questions before you balk at the opportunity to sign A-Rod.
Am I the only one who holds his breath every time Wright makes a throw to first base? Maybe its just me, but how about Left Field for Wright?
Oh, that's right, we don't let anyone under the age of 40 play Left Field.
The Mets "need" A-rod like the Yankees "need" Hank Steinbrenner!! For 30 million plus/year they can well afford at least one "Blue Chip" Starter and 2 reliable relievers. The Mets have what it takes in spite of this years meltdown and I'm sure there's a 2nd baseman or two willing to put their hat in the ring for a shot at post season play. To A-rod I say "Go West, Youg man, Go West"!!
If the Mets can afford A-Rod and Wright is willing AND ABLE to play 1B...why the hell should the Mets NOT go after A-Rod??? Adding about 150 RBIs to the Mets lineup would lessen the Pitching needs. But yes still METS PITCHING needs MAJOR attention.
No way for A-Rod. He's a great player, but it would really make the Mets much harder to root for.
Lets get Kazmir back! He'd be more exciting, and cheaper, than getting Santana.
You read it here first: A-Rod to the S.F. Giants. They need another big signing to make people forget about losing Barry and what a bust Zito was this year. This is just a hunch on my part, but I don't see another team as penny-wise and pound-foolish as the Giants.
A-Rod is not going to Giants, AT&T is a pitcher's park, there is no short porch in left field. If they signed A-Rod half the Giant's payroll will go to two players, A-Rod and Zito. Giants need to rebuild, and the last thing they need is another baseball prima donna in the clubhouse. They also don't have anyone in the lineup to protect A-Rod in the order.
I can see the Mets making a bid for him, but I doubt they will get him. I see the Angels make a bid for him, but they would probably take Bonds, they need a DH not a third baseman. The Angels are not going to do anything to handcuff them from maintaining a strong pitching staff.
The Dodgers won't take him, given it is a pitcher's park, they have no one else right now to protect him in the line up.
I can see the Cubs making a move, because they have the lineup, Wrigley can keep his HR total high, and if they get an owner who isn't handpicked by Selig and Reinsdorf, it is a possibility.
The top six or seven teams are the only ones that can afford A-Rod, and none seemed that excited in breaking the bank for a player and position that they have to do some moving around.
I do think the Red Sox will move Youklis to third if they don't sign Lowell, and they are not going to take a bath on Lugo's contract.
The only team that truly had shown an interest and were willing to pay a king's ransom for A-Rod was the Yankees. Having them out of race for A-Rod, his value will probably drop...
I'd say go for A-Rod. I agree with Jake, Wright is no gold glover at 3rd base, he can be moved if necessary. I like the idea of a Wright, Reyes, A-Rod infield.
Put A-Rod at 2nd or move Wright to 1st base freeing up 3rd for A-rod, then get rid of that chump Delgado altogether. That would be great.
I'd take A-Rod in a heartbeat
The guy is cancer.
Right now, he is coming across as a mercenary... He should at least, hear out the Yankees offer, and wait the ten days after the World Series to opt out. I think he and Boras did this to compete against Lowell, and mainly to get even more money from the Yankees. If the Yankees weren't getting their subsidy from the Rangers, the Yankees would do much to re-sign him, but giving the Yankees the shaft like that is probably going to poison any bidding. If the Yankees cave in, because there is a change in power with management.
FRED,ALEX HAS TO BE A MET!!!!!!!!!PUT HIM AT SHORT,BUMP REYES BACK TO SECOND,YOU MISSED THE BOAT ON HIM THE LAST TIME AS WELL AS VLADI,DON'T FAIL ME AGAIN MR WILPON.
If every team would pass on Boras' ridiculous asking price for A-Rod, maybe then will some sense come back to baseball. Enough already with these ludicrous salaries!