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Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Ceetar Dec 22 2017 03:18 PM

archive thread: [url]http://archives.thecranepool.net/14800/f1_t14869.shtml now let's try again. re-hired as a special assistant to Sandy Alderson.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 22 2017 03:24 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Interesting. Is Ricciardi out? Or are they finally getting around to replacing Jonah Hill?

MFS62 Dec 22 2017 03:31 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Had a reputation as a great talent evaluator. I hope this is a key first step in strengthening the minor league organization. Later

Benjamin Grimm Dec 22 2017 03:34 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

archive thread: [url]http://archives.thecranepool.net/14800/f1_t14869.shtml now let's try again. re-hired as a special assistant to Sandy Alderson. Wow. Didn't they offer him that position, or something very much like it, seven years ago?

metirish Dec 22 2017 03:41 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Fuck , i thought this was some sort of piss take, it's true.....wow.....reading over that old thread is a laugh

d'Kong76 Dec 22 2017 04:08 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Can we get Steve Phillips hired as assistant special assistant? Know what I'm sayin'?

Ceetar Dec 22 2017 04:11 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

d'Kong76 wrote: Can we get Steve Phillips hired as assistant special assistant? Know what I'm sayin'? well Steve Phillips is a bad person.

d'Kong76 Dec 22 2017 04:37 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

I left him off my brush with fame list. Shortly after his 'bad news' came out I rode up the elevator to The Diamondclub with his wife and 3-4 kids in tow. That was a weird and icy minute-and-a-half.

41Forever Dec 22 2017 06:07 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

I think this is a good hire. Welcome back, Omar!

metirish Dec 22 2017 07:09 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Joel Sherman is trying to paint this as undermining Alderson

metirish Dec 22 2017 08:01 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1 #Mets re-up Alderson, but force him to take manager he fired (Collins), GM he replaced (Minaya). What those 2 have in common is beloved by Fred Wilpon. HIs fingerprints are all over this. #undermine

d'Kong76 Dec 22 2017 08:06 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

I doubt we'll find out (and I haven't read anything about this other than what has been posted here) if a) this was a mutual idea they came up with over last- week-front-office stuff, b) it was Sandy's idea, c) we'll give you an extension if you agree to take on Minaya as a special assistant to help you out, d) were bringin' in Omar like it or not, Sandy, or e) it just happened willy-nilly for no underlying or _____________ reason. OE: posted without reading Twiterwisdom of Joel Sherman.

Edgy MD Dec 22 2017 08:13 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

I tend to treat "special assistant" titles as symbolic roles. Which doesn't mean folks don't do anything in them, but they often go to minorities or veteran players who you want to publicly remain part of your brand. Spring training instructors and luxury suite gladhanders and veteran scouts who were once GMs and are backsliding in their careers often get the same title.

Frayed Knot Dec 22 2017 08:35 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

A few days ago some column suggests that the Mets are weak in international scouting ... now suddenly they re-hire Minaya with the mention that he's here at least in part to improve int'l scouting. Coincidence? prolly not.

smg58 Dec 22 2017 09:01 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

When I think of Minaya's international scouting, I think of Jennry Mejia and that outfielder (whose name I have already forgotten) who were supposed to be precocious talents, but were actually juicers who peaked in AA. It's not a good impression.

Ashie62 Dec 22 2017 10:59 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

I see it as Minaya is the covering Dr. for Alderson. Sandy could relapse, have a bad chemo week/month and he is 70. Yeah, Minaya is preparing to replace Alderson. I like the concept. Study Omar. Omar, don't give Jeff W a hummer.

Edgy MD Dec 23 2017 03:01 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

smg58 wrote: When I think of Minaya's international scouting, I think of Jennry Mejia and that outfielder (whose name I have already forgotten) who were supposed to be precocious talents, but were actually juicers who peaked in AA. It's not a good impression. You're thinking of Cesar Puello, I think. I'm pretty certain that Minaya isn't the backup GM. If he's not even being given a department to run, it doesn't suggest to me that he's displacing John Ricco. Ricco has already served as interim GM while Alderson was being treated.

Ceetar Dec 23 2017 03:11 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Edgy MD wrote: smg58 wrote: When I think of Minaya's international scouting, I think of Jennry Mejia and that outfielder (whose name I have already forgotten) who were supposed to be precocious talents, but were actually juicers who peaked in AA. It's not a good impression. You're thinking of Cesar Puello, I think. I'm pretty certain that Minaya isn't the backup GM. If he's not even being given a department to run, it doesn't suggest to me that he's displacing John Ricco. Ricco has already served as interim GM while Alderson was being treated. Ricco served as the interim GM under/after Minaya too. Sherman's really driving the undermining stuff. Carig has been pushing that the front office isn't happy. (But does that just mean guys that think he's taking their job? This seems fairly normal at any company where someone is hired above you) Meddling or not I'd be shocked if Alderson wasn't okay with this. Same with Collins, who's just sorta lingering for the sake of lingering. I think Alderson is absolutely okay with that. Didn't they offer to let Minaya stay right after even? yeah. here, a quiz. which of these guys is the Dodgers current GM? Andrew Friedman Farhan Zaidi Josh Byrnes Ned Colletti Alex Anthopoulos

d'Kong76 Dec 23 2017 03:18 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Why would a supposed cash strapped team extend the GM's contract and then bring in a 'washed up' former GM to undermind things? Oh wait, it's the Mets.

Edgy MD Dec 23 2017 03:58 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Ceetar wrote: here, a quiz. which of these guys is the Dodgers current GM? Andrew Friedman Farhan Zaidi Josh Byrnes Ned Colletti Alex Anthopoulos Zaidi is in the big seati.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 23 2017 12:21 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Guys these stories from Carig are troubling. You'd figure Terry would be enough of a Fred spy, now he's got Omar too. I had convinced myself Fred was getting too old for this shit.

MFS62 Dec 23 2017 12:40 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

d'Kong76 wrote: OE: posted without reading Twiterwisdom of Joel Sherman. That is a good decision. Joel Sherman gets off on saying negative things about the Mets. He throws shit out there just to get Mets fans riled up. I don't believe a word he says. Later

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 23 2017 01:02 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Yeah you've made that charge often but an objective assessment would reveal that Sherman is a very well-sourced reporter with a history of breaking actual stories, and though you may disagree with his point of view more generally there's very little in it for a guy like him to damage his credibility with takes that are untrue. Besides that Sherman isn't the only guy to have deduced something weird about this: Carig has been around the org now longer than any other beater, he's also a good writer and imo trustworthy and he's hearing the same things. [tweet:126al16j]https://twitter.com/MarcCarig/status/944260834057965568[/tweet:126al16j] I really thought Fred was too old for this shit. I was only writing earlier this week that at age 81 I was hoping his meddling days were over.

Centerfield Dec 23 2017 02:14 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Well that’s disturbing. If that’s true I don’t see why you would do that to your staff. I’m sure there are talent guys out there that wouldn’t shake everyone like Omar did. Or maybe Fred is as mad as everyone says and wanted to put a charge in everyone. I was thinking what this move means. I think Fred is definitely paying attention to what is being said and it bothers him immensely. (Which is why it’s important to keep up the criticism) And though he may not be in a position to do anything about payroll, he felt he had to address the criticism that the Mets have a bad farm system on top of being broke. That the Mets produces more talent under Minaya. So he addresses it in the simplest, most unimaginative way possible, by bringing back Minaya. (And I know I suggested bringing in Minaya or someone like him the day before it happened, but I am a poster on a message board, not the owner of the Mets) Secondly, I wonder if this moves signals an acceptance of our small market mentality. Focus on player development, trade away veterans as they get more expensive. Invest in a class of prospects then hope they explode like Houston. I guess time will tell on that last one.

d'Kong76 Dec 23 2017 03:00 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

MFS62 wrote: That is a good decision. Joel Sherman gets off on saying negative things about the Mets. I was more making a twitter joke, I don't religiously read the the tabloid guys. I lazily rely on most of my Mets news on what gets commented on and re- reported here most of the time.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 23 2017 03:17 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

I'm all fired up on this. It would seem as though Fred -- who been blessedly quiet since Sandy arrived -- feels as though his ability to exert influence on the club is compromised by an intelligent guy in charge he never wanted and that Omar (and Terry, whom he also loves) are there to be Fred's eyes and ears and potentially at least, the means by which Fred can accomplish that which Sandy would recommend against. That's why Sandy's team is unhappy. That's why after years of silence we suddenly heard shit about Fred's "irateness" last week. He's begun meddling again. This is the very same set-up Fred had used with Duquette, whom he also didn't want as GM, so he (and not Duke) hired two "white-haired baseball men" as advisors and those guys were ultimately influential in the huge Zambrano-Benson setback.

Centerfield Dec 23 2017 03:39 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Certainly the last thing we need is for Fred Wilpon to become active again. I think this is in line with your characterization that he’s an idiot that thinks he’s a genius. He thinks the wrath of the fan base is a result of missteps by Sandy rather than his failure to fund the payroll. Shut the fuck up Fred. Open up payroll and go away.

batmagadanleadoff Dec 23 2017 03:46 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Dec 23 2017 03:54 PM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm all fired up on this. It would seem as though Fred -- who been blessedly quiet since Sandy arrived -- feels as though his ability to exert influence on the club is compromised by an intelligent guy in charge he never wanted and that Omar (and Terry, whom he also loves) are there to be Fred's eyes and ears and potentially at least, the means by which Fred can accomplish that which Sandy would recommend against. That's why Sandy's team is unhappy. That's why after years of silence we suddenly heard shit about Fred's "irateness" last week. He's begun meddling again. This is the very same set-up Fred had used with Duquette, whom he also didn't want as GM, so he (and not Duke) hired two "white-haired baseball men" as advisors and those guys were ultimately influential in the huge Zambrano-Benson setback. This is what I've been saying forever. Only I see Jeff Wilpon's fingerprints on this one, too. Silent fingerprints. With each passing day, the Mets are becoming Jeff's team more than Eff's team, and danged if Jeff isn't eventually gonna have himself a pliable GM that he can wipe the floor with if he wants to, which he will want to, because that's who Jeff is and every baseball insider knows what a colossal douchebag the guy is. Great! A NYC team that can't outspend the Royals and with Jeff soon to take the reins. How old is his old man? Nothing lasts forever.

Centerfield Dec 23 2017 03:48 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Run for the hills boys.

Ceetar Dec 23 2017 03:56 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

again, if Sandy signed off, and they just renewed him so I doubt he was against this move. and if the boss is okay with it, the peons should fall in line and stop whining. Also Fred Wilpon needs to shut up, this is exactly why I said I didn't want to hear from him despite some clamoring for it. (including media guys that should've just asked him stuff ?) I tire of this narrative junk. I also don't believe for a second that Sandy doesn't like Terry and that somehow Fred force him to keep him around after firing him. But I also don't believe Sandy was forced on Fred, at best it was a "I know a guy, I'll let you have Sandy. He's good. it'll give you a professional hire and look good" And if so, that Sandy was foisted on the Wilpons, then he was forced by Fred to sign an internal guy as manager? and keep Warthen? Minaya has worked in the industry since. he's still connected, still respected by more than just the Mets. He's not being hired to be GM. Sandy could literally take his advice and ignore it, but if he's got something to add, that seems likely, then sure. The Mets are completely unimaginative, I'll agree with that. Deciding they needed another scouting type guy high up, they resorted tothe first guy they thought of instead of shopping around? sure, I'll buy that. Alderson hasn't been as guilty of it though, but if Fred was like "What about Omar? we wanted him around still when we fired him, he knows us, comfortable here." and Alderson was fine with it? It's the "undermining" quote from Carig that tips me off. No one's losing responsibility here, so it's gotta be personal. People that think they're in line to be GM when Sandy leaves and that Omar might be stepping in front of them. So Ricco. And roughly every rich owner thinks they're smarter than they are. I still think Sandy's got (most of) the power and authority to do what he feels is best (sans another 20 million or so?) so I'm not really too worried about a minor hiring like this. The Dodgers have a billion GMs and are praised for it.

d'Kong76 Dec 23 2017 04:05 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

I know he just got a new contract but Sandy should just say fuck it and quit.

Frayed Knot Dec 23 2017 04:26 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Ceetar wrote: ... Minaya has worked in the industry since. he's still connected, still respected by more than just the Mets. He's not being hired to be GM. Sandy could literally take his advice and ignore it, but if he's got something to add, that seems likely, then sure. Unless Fred starts ignoring Sandy's requests because Omar is whispering in his ear against it, at which point S + O becomes less than the sum of their parts and maybe not even as effective as Sandy was just relying the guys already in place. And roughly every rich owner thinks they're smarter than they are. That's been my biggest problem with Fred all along, that he lurches between wanting to hire guys to run things but then thinking that his own input is needed. It becomes like the worst aspects of Steinbrenner only without the bluster or the budget.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 23 2017 04:32 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Fred is 81. Eighty-one! I tell myself that Jeff is on my/Sandy's side because if I don't, I don't think I can pretend to have any faith in there being any vision whatsoever in the group. I also tell myself that Sandy is smart enough to find a way around this.

Centerfield Dec 23 2017 06:01 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Out of curiosity what moves do we know that are attributable to Fred’s meddling? It’s hard for me to picture what moves he might be forcing without the dollars to back it up.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 23 2017 06:58 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Basically everything that went wrong with the club except for the Leigh Casterine thing was Fred and not Jeff. Soulless, out of touch stadium? Fred Hiring of Livesley and Goldis to end-around Duquette? Fred Prevented Sandy from moving on Collins? Fred Fired McIlvane and hired Phillips? Fred Fired Valentine but not Phillips? Fred Invested with Madoff? Fred Champion of Art Howe? Fred Desirous of Tom Glavine? Fred Carried water for Selig's minority-hiring initiative in purposefully grooming then hiring Omar? Fred Gave Omar a 4-year contract *after* the 2008 season?! Fred Somehow didn't fire Omar on the spot for Adam Rubin remark? Fred and Jeff Pursuit of Kaz Matsui and odd decision to make him shortstop over Reyes? Fred David Wright "not a superstar"? Fred Reyes "Carl Crawford money" money remark? Fred Proponent of Torborg? Fred

Centerfield Dec 23 2017 10:05 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

That’s a real parade of follies. I hope you’re right that this is all Fred and not Jeff. I don’t know how one would know, but I hope like hell that you are right.

batmagadanleadoff Dec 23 2017 10:39 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 23 2017 11:34 PM

I'm pretty sure the soulless stadium was at least a tag team eff n jeff production, if not more jeff than eff. Once you get past eff's Ebbetsian stylings, it might be all Jeff. Especially the moronic cavernous dimensions and that stupid Mexican border wall of an outfield fence.

Ashie62 Dec 23 2017 10:46 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Ashie62 wrote: I see it as Minaya is the covering Dr. for Alderson. Sandy could relapse, have a bad chemo week/month and he is 70. Yeah, Minaya is preparing to replace Alderson. I like the concept. Study Omar. Omar, don't give Jeff W a hummer. I see the risk of a front office clash but truly believe Omar will caddy for Alderson to better the chances for a full Sandy recovery.. Yeah, Fred ain't done yet. Any thoughts on this?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 24 2017 01:00 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

You better be wrong about Omar retaking the GM spot and I think you are. I don't believe Omar would want that either. That's also why I see Ceetars argument that the existing FO sees Omar as some kind of threat to their ascension empty. They are worried that having a parallel chain of command directly to the owner can and probably will interfere with their work.

Ceetar Dec 24 2017 02:58 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: You better be wrong about Omar retaking the GM spot and I think you are. I don't believe Omar would want that either. That's also why I see Ceetars argument that the existing FO sees Omar as some kind of threat to their ascension empty. They are worried that having a parallel chain of command directly to the owner can and probably will interfere with their work. Same difference really. They think Omar's opinion will be more listened to and respected than theirs. It's hard to take seriously a 'stupid' claim when it's so heavily vested in self-interest. as for the stadium. I mean, I like it, and I don't think souless is quite fair, especially given the Bronx thing. But uninspired. That pretty much covers everything the Wilpons do. great choice: "a month of interviews with various scouting type folks, hiring the best one" bold choice: "Picking someone far flung, from your Caribbean leagues, from Japan. Someone with a different outlook." progressive choice: "Pick a woman or minority a little lower on the food choice and give her a shot" uninspired choice: "Hire the okay guy that you already know and have a relationship with" same with the stadium. They didn't break new ground. They didn't commission a grandiose representation of NYC. Even the supposed 'bridge motif' that is actually a nice idea is like bare bones. They just hired the HOK firm that does stadiums and said 'get us one' and like, checked a few of the optional add ons. The Wilpons are people for whom 'amazing' is when Apple moves the headphone jack, or removes it. When Lexus changes the shade of blue on the car they drive. They're the type of people that put one of those 190 degree water spigots on the sinks in their buildings and think it's revolutionary.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 24 2017 03:55 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Not the same difference

Ashie62 Dec 24 2017 08:21 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Not the same difference I appreciate the thought brought forth by your prior post re: Omar and the F.O and agree with your current post. Thank you.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 24 2017 09:12 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Sorry I got messed up with the quotng. I'm saying the reason the fo is upset by Omar isn't the personal motivations or ambitions of the individuals, primarily, but that a parallel chain of command could pervert their collective work. We know Sandy is all about the process. If the process gets upset then it's not going to work. This happens with the Wilpons all the time. Guys working at cross purposes, blurry chain of command, etc etc

Centerfield Dec 24 2017 10:02 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Sorry I got messed up with the quotng. I'm saying the reason the fo is upset by Omar isn't the personal motivations or ambitions of the individuals, primarily, but that a parallel chain of command could pervert their collective work. We know Sandy is all about the process. If the process gets upset then it's not going to work. This happens with the Wilpons all the time. Guys working at cross purposes, blurry chain of command, etc etc It’s like a page out of Trump’s playbook.

Ceetar Dec 28 2017 08:42 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Sorry I got messed up with the quotng. I'm saying the reason the fo is upset by Omar isn't the personal motivations or ambitions of the individuals, primarily, but that a parallel chain of command could pervert their collective work. We know Sandy is all about the process. If the process gets upset then it's not going to work. This happens with the Wilpons all the time. Guys working at cross purposes, blurry chain of command, etc etc Is it really a parallel chain of command though? Like, is everyone else collectively working together and presenting a decision to Sandy that ultimately decides and Omar's opinion will sit on his desk next to that and he'll have two things to look at? or more likely, this is just another input. Sure, that may muddy the waters a bit, but ultimately it's still all on Sandy and I just don't buy that he's not okay with Omar there. So if Omar presents one suggestion and the rest of the front office generally is in support of another, and Sandy decides Omar's suggestion is the best option, that's going to be spun, via disgrunted quotes to reporters, as some sort of circumventing the process thing, when it's really just someone complaining that maybe they have a small percentage less personal power.

41Forever Dec 29 2017 01:31 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

I know there was some beefing about the stadium, and, to be fair, I've only been there once. But it's not a typical HOK cookie-cutter. New Comiskey was a typical HOK cookie-cutter. Love it or hate it, the Ebbets rotunda throwback is something unique. It's got the Home Run apple and the Shea Bridge. The walls were a mistake, but they fixed them fairly quickly. They added the Hall of Fame, which looks pretty cool from the photos I've seen, and the murals of Casey and Tom -- and Gil, too? Having the scoreboard skyline from Shea was a nice touch. I like it a heck of a lot better than the Death Star in the Bronx. Now, that's soulless! The Wilpons have screwed up a lot of stuff, but I would not say the stadium is among them. Just my 2 cents. I don't mind Omar there. We've said the farm system is a mess. Omar is supposedly a great scout and can evaluate talent. Sounds like he's a good fit for the needs we have.

MFS62 Dec 29 2017 01:46 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Sandy was a Marine. I don't think he will allow a twin chain of command. But the military model also includes the concept of a cadre of advisers without unit leadership responsibility. And I think that is the way Sandy will view, and use, Omar. Later

Ceetar Dec 30 2017 04:33 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

the chief problems with the stadium are/were that they opened it undecorated and then decorated it in roughly the most unimaginative way because they're extremely dull people. Also that they chopped about 12k seats off because who needs cheap seats? This was a mistake Yankee Stadium made too, and failure and the recession pretty much corrected it, but I imagine both owners were imagining the cheapest seat being 50-100+ with maybe a few thousand $20 seats thrown in just to appease the masses. There also aren't enough escalators.

Nymr83 Dec 31 2017 01:53 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

The missing seats from Shea is definitely the #1 issue with Citi and at least in my mind it is not even particularly close with all the other little issues you could complain about. If the Wilpons, or a future owner, ever do decide to invest in a winner, there will be more than fifteen thousand fans missing from all those home games down the stretch.

dgwphotography Dec 31 2017 02:30 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Ceetar wrote: the chief problems with the stadium are/were that they opened it undecorated and then decorated it in roughly the most unimaginative way because they're extremely dull people. Also that they chopped about 12k seats off because who needs cheap seats? This was a mistake Yankee Stadium made too, and failure and the recession pretty much corrected it, but I imagine both owners were imagining the cheapest seat being 50-100+ with maybe a few thousand $20 seats thrown in just to appease the masses. There also aren't enough escalators. This - the Wilponzis figured they could lessen the supply, and be able to charge what they wanted with what they thought would be an increased demand. As a former member here once said, the stadium has great views, of the advertisements. I also remember a story of Jeffrey either moving the signage along the front of the Promenade, or making it larger, where it affected the views from the front of the section. Everything about the Wilponzis is about maximizing every last cent, while only giving us the appearance of contending...

Ceetar Dec 31 2017 03:59 AM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

dgwphotography wrote: This - the Wilponzis figured they could lessen the supply, and be able to charge what they wanted with what they thought would be an increased demand. As a former member here once said, the stadium has great views, of the advertisements. I also remember a story of Jeffrey either moving the signage along the front of the Promenade, or making it larger, where it affected the views from the front of the section. Everything about the Wilponzis is about maximizing every last cent, while only giving us the appearance of contending... I mean, that's true of every team. The Steinbrenners just maximize every last cent a little better, or timed their late 90s success with the success of the league and the economy and all that, and got out ahead of the recession. And their sketchy investment deals were of the legal kind. presumably. The Promenade club is a joke, you have a window but you pretty much can't see the field/plate. But it's because of the camera wells I think. That club should probably be raised up about 3 steps worth and it'd be way better. Hell, if you want to be fun, raise it up a whole story, put a floor up above the promenade food court area, and make it a giant bar from which you can stand in front and watch the game.

41Forever Dec 31 2017 05:22 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Smaller stadiums are the trend across the Major Leagues. Citi seats about 41,000 -- same as Comerica, Sun Trust, Miller, Minute Maid, Nationals Park. Great American and Petco are just a hair bigger. There are a bunch that are smaller, too. The White Sox knocked their park down to 40,000. Target Field and PNC are both smaller. Heck, the Marlins Park, Kauffman, the Tropicana Dome, and Progressive Field all seat less than Fenway. I think the thinking was that smaller parks would fill up faster, leading to more sellouts, leading to more people buying tickets in advance and not waiting until game day hoping to get a seat. So while Citi's capacity might be a fair criticism, it's a criticism that should be applied league-wide and not just at the Wilpons. The MFYs bucked the trend. They also have the second-highest average ticket prices in the game, so I don't know if they are offering any cheap seats in that 50,000.

Nymr83 Dec 31 2017 05:40 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

So the Mets built a stadium the same size as those in much smaller markets, reinforcing the evidence that the Wilpons are not plabning to operate a big market team. The criticism need not be applied league wide. Milwaukee and San Diego don't need a stadium as large as New York needs.

Edgy MD Dec 31 2017 05:47 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Yes, scarcity marketing is an established principle of the marketing game. This combines with premium pricing and production of SRO overflow tickets to give teams exactly the sort of guaranteed base profitability that teams scientifically position themselves for. Of course it works. Fight the antitrust exemption, man.

Frayed Knot Dec 31 2017 06:49 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Jeff W. flat-out stated during one of the introductory CF press conferences that one of the reasons for the reduced capacity was that those last 10,000 or so seats are the most expensive to build yet yielded the least amount in return. I would have countered with a follow-up about whether such a strategy wasn't a bit short-sighted considering that they have two announcers who are deep in stories of their youth in the cheap seats and whether this risked either alienating the next generation of Howies and Garys, or maybe just never allowed them to develop in the first place. Not sure if anyone in attendance that day pursued that line of questioning. And, yes, I think that both teams, the Mets coming off their 2008 success and the Yanx coming off their long string of successful years -- almost simultaneously with the two NJ-based football teams with their over-priced (and, in the case of the Jets, at least partially fraudulent) PSL strategies -- saw their new stadia with an extremely optimistic view of the revenues they were likely to generate particularly via the higher percentage of top-end seats which were partially created by a bit of artificial scarcity. And then the recession hit which was complicated in the Mets case by the subsequent Madoff hit and a lot of rosy scenarios changed quickly after that.

Centerfield Dec 31 2017 07:13 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

I think the only scenario that had a lasting change for the worse was the Wilpons’ personal finances. The recession has been over for years. All of baseball has been enjoying huge revenues and the NY teams are in the front of that pack. The Mets are doing great. The Wilpons are the problem.

Ashie62 Dec 31 2017 07:49 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

I see zero Mets rumors & such on the interweb. I feel like the owners have the cloak of invisibility. I am very frustrated.

Edgy MD Dec 31 2017 08:37 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

There's been one player acquired by any of the 30 MLB teams all week. As for rumors, well, I can make one up! Hansel Robles for Brandon Drury! It's totally going to happen! Sources are buzzing!

41Forever Dec 31 2017 09:17 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Edgy MD wrote: There's been one player acquired by any of the 30 MLB teams all week. As for rumors, well, I can make one up! Hansel Robles for Brandon Drury! It's totally going to happen! Sources are buzzing! Well, that's better sourced than the Vaccaro column.

Ceetar Dec 31 2017 09:37 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

Ashie62 wrote: I see zero Mets rumors & such on the interweb. I feel like the owners have the cloak of invisibility. I am very frustrated. then you're not looking. the Mets have been linked to a ton of players.

Nymr83 Dec 31 2017 10:20 PM Re: Lets Make Some Fresh Memories of Omar Minaya

]Every team is "linked" to tons of players, the number likely being proportionate to the number of local newspapers with baseball writers who need to make up simething to write about this time of year. Its fair to be critical of the Wilpons for who do or don't sign but not for how active the rumor mill is.