Why Fred WIlpon May Soon Be The Most Hated Man in New York

(Allow me to begin with a special thank you to LeBron James, who, after his post-game comments following his team's Game 6 and series loss to Dallas, has affirmed the image I had of him, which I talked about in my last blog post, that he thinks he's better than everyone else.  Thanks for proving me right, buddy.)

At a time where many, including fans, think that things can't get any worse for the New York Mets franchise, it soon could.

As Fred Wilpon, the majority owner of the Mets, sat down with a reporter from the New Yorker late last month, it is hard to imagine what he could have been thinking.  He was asked about a few of the team's key players and answered those questions quite honestly.  Now what is wrong with an honest answer you may ask, but as an owner of a professional sports team, especially in New York, there is a lot wrong with it.

Wilpon and his Mets.  Courtesy of Jeffrey Toobin's article in The New Yorker, 5/30/11.

When the subject of David Wright came up, his elite starting third baseman often considered the face of the franchise, he said flat-out that he is a really good player and a great kid, but he is not a superstar.  Now, true as it may be, considering it takes years of stellar productivity and marketing to reach superstar status, I'm not sure how wise it is to knock the face of the franchise down a few pegs, if for nothing else than to keep things the same in the clubhouse, as he is widely considered the team's leader.  Honest, yes, but possibly very dubious.

The conversation soon geared toward starting right fielder Carlos Beltran.  Beltran signed a 7 year, $119 million contract with the Mets following a ridiculous performance in the 2004 playoffs as a new member of the Houston Astros.  In that postseason he tied Barry Bonds' record of 8 home runs, and seemed to be an emerging elite talent in the MLB.  His Met career since, although very good by normal standards, has been riddled by injuries and fallen a bit shy of the expectations that accompany such a high-profile contract.  That happens, what are you going to do?  Now everyone knows that Beltran hasn't been spectacular, albeit a very good player, for the Mets, it is all but common knowledge.  But for the owner to say that he dramatically overpaid for Beltran, and should never have based a contract off one postseason is a little unnecessary, especially in the midst of a resurgent season when he was considered done.  But that, like the comments about Wright, were not what could have ruined Fred Wilpon, aside from his financial woes after being involved with Bernie Madoff's Ponzi Scheme.

The thing Wilpon said, though, that really may have done him in was what he said when discussing his leadoff hitter and star shortstop, Jose Reyes.  So far in his MLB career, all of which has come in a Mets uniform, Reyes has been viewed as one of the most explosive players in the league, often atop the league leaders in triples and stolen bases, with blazing speed, but one who cannot seem to avoid the injury bug. However, Wilpon's comments have come during a season in which Reyes has not only been healthy, but has put himself in the early conversation for the National League MVP.  Thus far, Reyes has compiled a .346 average (good for 1st in the NL), 47 runs (tied for 3rd in the NL, one behind the leader), 11 triples (not only 1st in all of baseball, but nearly double the next spot of 6), and 33 multi-hit games (which also leads the majors).  Now, what did Wilpon say?  He told the magazine that Jose Reyes thinks he's going to get Carl Crawford-like money (Crawford signed a 7-yr $142 million contract with the Boston Red Sox in the offseason), and with all the injuries he's had, he's just not going to get it.

Reyes, who has been rumored to be on the trade block, in an attempt to get something for him as the Mets may not be able to afford his salary in a new contract, will undoubtedly attract many suitors.  But, what I cannot understand is why Fred Wilpon would downplay Reyes' abilities and value at a time where he may be shopping the newly-turned 28 year-old.  And more importantly, if they cannot trade him at the right price, would Reyes even want to stay in New York anymore for such an owner, even though he has repeatedly stated that he wants to remain in the Big Apple?  Why would you risk upsetting your star shortstop at a time when he is emerging as the team's best player?

Let's say Reyes does leave, either by trade or by choice in free agency.  How will the Mets even begin to try to replace him atop the batting order, or defensively? I'm not sure prospect Wilmer Flores or young middle infielder Ruben Tejada can even begin to fill his shoes.  And if he leaves and continues his successes elsewhere, Mets fans, myself included, may never be able to forgive Fred Wilpon.  In a city where the Mets always have been, and more than likely always will be, second fiddle to the Yankees, Fred Wilpon could soon be the most hated man in New York, surpassing the likes of John Rocker and, well, anyone in a Boston uniform.  Whether he was trying to be the new polarizing owner in New York baseball, following the late, great George Steinbrenner, or not, his comments may soon prove costly, with potentially grave consequences.

If there's a will there's a way, and the Mets need to keep Jose Reyes.  If not for his productivity alone, then for the fanfare, the ticket sales, and what he means to this team inside the clubhouse.  If he keeps up this level of play this year, then yes, Fred Wilpon, you're right, Reyes won't get Carl Crawford money, he'll get more.

-TA