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I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Centerfield Nov 23 2020 07:04 AM

So Chernoff is out. Theo Epstein was never in. I'm a little surprised that Alderson has taken this long to fill out his front office. From what I'm hearing there are still candidates out there, but I get the impression that their first choices might be off the table. As one of the guys who thought that there would be a rush of guys wanting to work for Steve Cohen, it's just a bit disappointing.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 23 2020 07:13 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

We know that Jeff Wilpon is interested.

Centerfield Nov 23 2020 07:51 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

ARod too.

MFS62 Nov 23 2020 10:34 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

And every caller to WFAN who has come up with a WATP. Later

Frayed Knot Nov 23 2020 10:37 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Nov 23 2020 12:32 PM

First of all, great thread title. Secondly, it's amazing sometimes to see how things in baseball's off-season move at the pace of a relay race at a Molina family picnic. On the player FA side of things it's at least partially explainable by the lack of a salary cap. In the NBA & NFL the money available to players is not just a finite number but a publicly known finite number so the players are, in effect, playing a game of musical chairs and tend to jump into the first one they see figuring that missing out on that one might just leave them without a chair entirely and that it's not like the next chair is going to have a better cushion anyway since the league mandates that all cushions be the same. A bit of a tortured analogy perhaps but the point is that the NBA FA season (in a normal year anyway) seems to entirely take place inside about 48 hours and most of those deals are cut (not legally but also not so secretly) prior to when the official start of the period even begins. The NFL is kind of the same except that the 'Franchise' and 'Transitional' player tags effectively skim the cream of the FA crop off the top each year leaving the FA signings to be mostly faceless guys fighting for a limited amount of positions for a mostly fixed amount of dollars so, again, there's pressure to grab the first offer you get for fear it won't be there if you dare to take even a few days to contemplate what else might be out there. In MLB, those hours and days-long time frames get stretched out to weeks and maybe months as if part of a slow-moving game of chess (redundancy?). But none of that should apply to front office positions in baseball so this is kind of strange and not something for which I have a logical explanation, especially seeing as how the field of qualified possibilities is smaller (at least at the upper ranks) and the openings so few that one would figure things to move more quickly.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 10:48 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Yeah, but I can see how they can operate at least partway into the offseason with what they've got. You don't need a director of development, when nobody's developing. You don't need a director of scouting when there's no one to scout. Sandy can act as GM in the meantime, he has scouting reports on file, and senior scouts to consult with. You want to get the right guys in place, and hopefully intellectual property and junior staffers and the Marlin McPhails left behind are enough for now. As long as the agents have a guy that's in charge, they know who they are dealing with.

Frayed Knot Nov 23 2020 12:26 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Oh I don't think they HAVE to have someone by tomorrow. But it has been close to four weeks now with seemingly little or no movement apparent, a pace which feels oddly par for the course.

Frayed Knot Nov 23 2020 12:29 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Frayed Knot wrote: First of all, great thread title. Secondly, it's amazing sometimes to see how things in baseball's off-season move at the pace of a relay race at a Molina family picnic. On the player FA side of things it's at least partially explainable by the lack of a salary cap. In the NBA & NFL the money available to players is not just a finite number but a publicly known finite number so the players are, in effect, playing a game of musical chairs and tend to jump into the first one they see figuring that missing out on that one might just leave them without a chair entirely and that it's not like the next chair is going to have a better cushion anyway since the league mandates that all cushions be the same. A bit of a tortured analogy perhaps but the point is that the NBA FA season (in a normal year anyway) seems to entirely take place inside about 48 hours and most of those deals are (not legally but also not so secretly) cut prior to when the official start of the period even begins. The NFL is kind of the same except that the 'Franchise' and 'Transitional' player tags effectively skim the cream of the FA crop off the top each year leaving the FA signings to be mostly faceless guys fighting for a limited amount of positions for a mostly fixed amount of dollars so, again, there's pressure to grab the first offer you get for fear it won't be there if you dare to take even a few days to contemplate what else might be out there. In MLB, those hours and days-long time frames get stretched out to weeks and maybe months as if part of a slow-moving game of chess (redundancy?). But none of that should apply to front office positions in baseball so this is kind of strange and not something for which I have a logical explanation, especially seeing as how the field of qualified possibilities is smaller (at least at the upper ranks) and the openings so few that one would figure things to move more quickly.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 02:36 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Sandy's on now, and he appears to be saying that he hasn't been able to find his candidate and will be leaving the role of president of baseball operations vacant and will focus on appointing a general manager for now.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 02:39 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

A half dozen GM candidates have been interviewed. Steve Cohen is involved in the process. Luis Rojas coming back. Puma at the mic with a question NOW!!!!

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 02:41 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Sandy is "very happy that 'Looie' is coming back." He likes Rojas' personnel management and looks for him to improve with the in-game side of the job. He is taking Theo Epstein at his word that he intends to take the year off, and so hasn't reached out to Eppy.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 02:42 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Ricco is not a candidate for GM but will be back as Sandy's "right-hand person."

Centerfield Nov 23 2020 02:42 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

I'm fine with that. Makes sense to wait for the right guy than to rush into a bad fit. Hell. Even Sandy and Ricco are fine as a one year stopgap. I think I read that the Dodgers didn't make the playoffs until year 2 after the McCourt sale. Makes sense. Let's beef up that analytics department though.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 02:43 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Howie Rose asks if the GM template has changed with no POBO to be hired. Sandy says no, but his "relationship with that GM" has changed. He will be more involved on the baseball side than anticipated. In other words, he will be the de facto POBO.

MFS62 Nov 23 2020 02:44 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Edgy MD wrote: Sandy's on now, and he appears to be saying that he hasn't been able to find his candidate and will be leaving the role of president of baseball operations vacant and will focus on appointing a general manager for now. Has anyone asked the question we were wondering - what are the responsibilities of each title? Has anyone asked if this delay will set them back in the signing of free agents? If so, what did he say. OE: looks like I was writing that while others posted. Later

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 02:47 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Sanderson wants someone with a background that suggests "baseball credibility" but also with the energy and initiative to make things happen.. (Is this a "no girls" policy?!! I DON'T KNOW!!)

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 02:47 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Here's the FB link: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=378729293353427&ref=notif¬if_id=1606167180865642¬if_t=live_video

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 02:51 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Points out that the Canó thing opens up $$ for 2021, but that money is still earmarked for 2022 and 2023. Finds the roster flexibility opening up just as interesting. Not currently considering releasing Canó. Decision hasn't been made on Rojas coaches.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 02:52 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Lindsey Kramer of Syracuse.com in the house, and he's asking about ... TIM TEBOW!!! Sandy says he's anxious to come back. Sandy advocated for him to return, saying he told him (paraphrasing), "Why let COVID policies end your career?"

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 02:57 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Gelbsy asked about a Conforto extension. Sandy says he has not spoken with the agent yet, but expects to.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 03:01 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

"To a person," all the GM candidates have said that "bringing Rojas back is the right thing to do." Sandy wants an NL DH. Boo. "Pitchers can't even bunt any more." Fuck that logic, Sandy.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 03:04 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Andy Martino has no fedora, but has a set of Beatles plush toys in the background.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 03:08 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Howie Rose has a "New York State Baseball Hall of Fame" inductee plaque on his wall behind him.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 03:08 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Ed Coleman has some really weird dragonfly-patterned wallpaper. Press conference over.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 03:39 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

I didn't mention that Sandy thinks "the foundation is strong," but they are "more than one or two players away." While that's true, I always wonder about that analysis. It depends on the players. Also, a confession: Before I stumbled across this presser, I didn't know what a POBO was.

Lefty Specialist Nov 23 2020 04:06 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Edgy MD wrote: "To a person," all the GM candidates have said that "bringing Rojas back is the right thing to do." Sandy wants an NL DH. Boo. "Pitchers can't even bunt any more." Fuck that logic, Sandy. Yeah, but when he's talking about the Mets pitchers, he's spot on.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 23 2020 05:04 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Edgy MD wrote: Also, a confession: Before I stumbled across this presser, I didn't know what a POBO was. It's what they call a hero or a hoagie in New Orleans.

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 05:40 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Lefty Specialist wrote: Edgy MD wrote: "To a person," all the GM candidates have said that "bringing Rojas back is the right thing to do." Sandy wants an NL DH. Boo. "Pitchers can't even bunt any more." Fuck that logic, Sandy. Yeah, but when he's talking about the Mets pitchers, he's spot on. I disagree. Because current Met pitchers fail to bunt effectively does not distinctly mean they cannot bunt. It more likely means they haven't been taught well or been given the reps. It's self-justifying logic.

Marshmallowmilkshake Nov 23 2020 05:52 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Theo's contract with the Cubs expires in a year. Perhaps they are keeping the light on for him. I used to hate the DH. Hate it. But I kind of got used to the idea of having Alonso and Dom in the lineup at the same time without having Dom in left.

nymr83 Nov 23 2020 08:05 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Lefty Specialist wrote: Edgy MD wrote: "To a person," all the GM candidates have said that "bringing Rojas back is the right thing to do." Sandy wants an NL DH. Boo. "Pitchers can't even bunt any more." Fuck that logic, Sandy. Yeah, but when he's talking about the Mets pitchers, he's spot on. The Mets are likely best positioned to take advantage of the DH. Certainly of the NL East teams.

Frayed Knot Nov 23 2020 08:16 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Nov 23 2020 08:17 PM

=nymr83 post_id=51288 ] The Mets are likely best positioned to take advantage of the DH. Certainly of the NL East teams.

But that alone is a poor reason to support the DH rule.

I remember NYM fans in the mid-80s wanting the DH because we had Rusty on the roster ... but that shouldn't be the point. Is it a rule that makes the game more interesting or less?

Frayed Knot Nov 23 2020 08:16 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Frayed Knot wrote: =nymr83 post_id=51288 ] The Mets are likely best positioned to take advantage of the DH. Certainly of the NL East teams. But that alone is a poor reason to support the DH rule. I remember NYM fans in the mid-80s wanting the DH because we had Rusty on the roster ... but that shouldn't be the point. Is it a rule that makes the game more interesting or less?

Edgy MD Nov 23 2020 09:26 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who remembers the average length of a Mets game increasing by six hours this season* despite the near-total elimination of extra innings, and an explicit program in place to reduce alleged dead time. * Not looking it up.

nymr83 Nov 23 2020 11:08 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

the Mets shitty pitching had nothing to do with that. neither did starters throwing a record low percentage of innings, which was driven by the pandemic and analytics, not DHs

LWFS Nov 24 2020 12:03 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Edgy MD wrote: Lindsey Kramer of Syracuse.com in the house, and he's asking about ... TIM TEBOW!!! Sandy says he's anxious to come back. Sandy advocated for him to return, saying he told him (paraphrasing), "Why let COVID policies end your career?" I dropped in just in time to hear this. I mean, come ON, man. "Whither black uniforms" is a headier someone-else-took-my-other-questions question than this... hell, "What kind of tree would you be" is, too.

Fman99 Nov 24 2020 06:08 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

I still and will always hate the DH. I don't care how much it helps the 2021 Mets roster. If you can't field a position then take your sad ass glove and go home. Start humping a desk like the rest of us.

Fman99 Nov 24 2020 06:09 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Also, I can tell you, at a Syracuse Mets game (which I missed dearly this past summer), that Timmy T gets the biggest applause when he comes in to bat and strike out late in a game.

MFS62 Nov 24 2020 06:33 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Did anyone ask if David Wright will have a job with the team (forget the title - good will ambassador?) under the new ownership? Even a dumb one like that would have been a better question. More people care about David. Later

Edgy MD Nov 24 2020 06:37 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

No, nobody asked about Wright, as far as I noticed.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 24 2020 06:46 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

I hate the DH too, but I have to admit I got used to it. It makes the game less interesting, and I got used to the less interesting game. Also, I despise the automatic runner on second base thing even more, so that probably distracted a little bit of the bile from the DH rule. I think I've come to accept, sadly, that the DH is inevitable. It may recede in 2021 but I fully expect a full DH to be part of the next CBA in 2022.

Marshmallowmilkshake Nov 24 2020 06:48 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

The Syracuse beat reporter was doing his job. And Alderson's answer about Tebow was pretty interesting. Alderson was on the Talkin' Baseball podcast a while back and shared how he tried to woo Michael Jordan to the A's when he was talking about playing for the White Sox.

MFS62 Nov 24 2020 06:56 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

=Marshmallowmilkshake post_id=51305 time=1606225715 user_id=119] The Syracuse beat reporter was doing his job. And Alderson's answer about Tebow was pretty interesting. Alderson was on the Talkin' Baseball podcast a while back and shared how he tried to woo Michael Jordan to the A's when he was talking about playing for the White Sox.

Both of those moves (Tebow and Jordan) are like building a Jackie Robinson Rotunda in a stadium designed to look like Ebbets Field, that is the home field of the NY Mets. They may make the owner feel good, but the fans would rather time and money be spent on ballplayers who can help the club win a pennant.



Later

Edgy MD Nov 24 2020 07:04 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

The idea that adding those players took time and money away from the attempt to win a pennant is hard to support. The idea that they are analogous to a rotunda is a stretch and a half. The Syracuse reporter, again, was doing his job.

MFS62 Nov 24 2020 08:01 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Edgy MD wrote: The idea that adding those players took time and money away from the attempt to win a pennant is hard to support. The idea that they are analogous to a rotunda is a stretch and a half. The Syracuse reporter, again, was doing his job. And that is why I deleted my post while you were typing yours. Later

Centerfield Nov 25 2020 07:59 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Bobby Heck out of the running for GM. Not sure if that means he withdrew or if the Mets passed. Chris Young, the pitcher, has been interviewed. The move would fly in the face of Cohen's aversion to first timers, but I guess these are the options left. Again, all this suggests that perhaps executives weren't as eager to join this team as one had hoped. I wonder if the impression that Sandy would be calling the shots works against them. Who knows.

LWFS Nov 25 2020 08:28 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I hate the DH too, but I have to admit I got used to it. It makes the game less interesting, and I got used to the less interesting game. Also, I despise the automatic runner on second base thing even more, so that probably distracted a little bit of the bile from the DH rule. I think I've come to accept, sadly, that the DH is inevitable. It may recede in 2021 but I fully expect a full DH to be part of the next CBA in 2022. Time-traveling 2019 Me would probably call what I'm about to say heresy (y'know, because this is DEFINITELY going to be the thing that disturbs him most about the present day), but: while the DH does make the game less interesting... it's not THAT much less interesting, as it turns out. The pitchers being SO bad at hitting makes the pinch-hit-or-don't-pitch-hit decision almost as automatic after a certain point in the game as, like, having a DH come up. Plus, it shortens the bench, and reduces options for other late-inning substitutions/defensive weirdness. If it's practically a push, and it'll let me root for Polar Bear AND Dom (or future Polar Bear-and-Dom-type combos), well, why the hell not. =Centerfield post_id=51370 time=1606316375 user_id=65] Again, all this suggests that perhaps executives weren't as eager to join this team as one had hoped. I wonder if the impression that Sandy would be calling the shots works against them. Who knows.

Adults don't like bikes with training wheels, I guess?

Edgy MD Nov 25 2020 10:40 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

Well, keep in mind that the DH is part of what has shortened the starting pitcher's workday, so there is a cause-effect correlation going on. (I disagree with nymr on this score.) If pitchers have indeed become more heinous hitters and brutal bunters, the smarter executive should say that this is a low-hanging opportunity to get an edge on the opposition.

Fman99 Nov 25 2020 09:04 PM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

I just assume that the DH was the specific primary reason why every Mets game seemed to take 30 minutes longer than all of the 2019 games. That could also be due to me being a year older and grouchier and more intoxicated.

Edgy MD Nov 26 2020 09:36 AM Re: I’m Just a POBO Nobody Loves Me

I don't know who else watched this press conference, and apropos of nothing else, but between Sandy looking tired and the bad lighting (was this from his home?), it sort of had the feel of a hostage video.