Ricciardi Added to Alderson Arsenal
BMF is a big fan of adding ex-Jays GM JP Ricciardi as a special assistant to Alderson.
I don’t think I’ve EVER been excited by a front office hire under a GM the way I am by Ricciardi. This is fantastic hire as we essentially get a second GM working in the Met front office.
I mean who would you rather have, Omar and Tony “No Shirt” Bernazard or Alderson and JP?
If you told me a month ago JP Ricciardi would be the Met GM I would’ve believed you so to add him as the number 2 guy seems like an almost coup.
JP left Beane’s A’s for an 8 year tenure in Toronto as GM that had it’s ups and downs. He never won the division but when you’re in the AL East it’s almost not fair.
On the plus side he did build baseball’s best pitching staff one season which is all the more impressive considering 38 games vs the yanks and Sox alone can sink a team ERA.
But the best part about this is the message its sends loud and clear. Sandy Alderson is assembling a team of top notch execs to lead the Mets into the future and I’m feeling more confident in the direction this team is headed by the day.
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Bad news for Backman
According to Adam Rubin the Mets know some things about Backman that is not public info that will essentially preclude him from getting the managerial job.
Hmmmm, I wonder what that might be and I also wonder if Wally will get a courtesy interview anyway…..
November 3rd, 2010 at 6:53 am
Agree that adding JP is a great move
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:10 am
I like this move alot but what position do these two guys play on the field.
We will know more when we start to mold the team.
All things seem to be heading in the right direction but it needs to trikle down to the 25 players on the field.
LET GO METS!!!…Continue on !
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:03 pm
I don’t agree adding JP is a great move. His track record is of terrible contracts (Vernon Wells, Alex Rios) and stupid statements or outright lies. Feel free to read up here…
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/08/12/worst.contracts/index.html
And that was before he handled the Roy Halladay situation poorly, in my opinion.
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Mets picked up the option on Reyes…that is good. Now Sandy has a contract he can talk up at the winter meetings! Who needs an undisciplined hitter who has ADD in the INF and has a problem staying healthy? What can Sandy bring back in return for one of our biggest chips?
I know there are a lot of Backman backers on this blog but hate to say I don’t see that happening. Frankly, not sure why so many are supportive of him…lets get over our 86 love affair already, it’s ancient history.
November 4th, 2010 at 11:52 am
If not Backman…Who else would fit Sandy’s request?
November 4th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
BrooklynBill, in addition to knowing him personally, here’s why I’m a Backman fan:
1) He has won at almost every place he’s managed.
2) Quite a few of his former players who have made it to the Bigs have praised him for his efforts.
3) He’s a fiery guy who won’t settle for players going thru the motions.
4) He’s not concerned with anything but winning.
In short, he’s everything I want in a manager.
November 4th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Don’t forget this reason…
5.) He smells like a McRib Sandwich.
November 4th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Hey look Wally got screwed in not winning the batting title under Davey Johnson’s Platoon ritual so He’s used to getting screwed..
November 5th, 2010 at 12:14 am
But what experience does he have at the major league level? look, I like Wally don’t get me wrong. But I don’t think we can afford to give someone a chance for sentimental 86 reasons…managing in the bigs is a quantum leap from managing in an independent league somewhere or at the AA level. Not to mention that managing under the microscope of the NY media is a challenge in itself. I don’t think Wally is perceived as the polished, media savvy guy the Mets want running their clubhouse and doing the post game interviews. He may be fiery to a fault.
November 5th, 2010 at 12:23 am
Now that Sandy is our new GM, I dusted off my copy of Moneyball and re-read it recently. I am even more convinced now that Jose Reyes will not be in a Met uniform on Opening Day. Inside the #s that matter, he is overvalued as leadoff hitter. I am sure he will be traded to a team that perceives him to be a bargain @ 11M and have first crack at signing him to a long term deal. Sorry Reyes fans…but on these new Sandy led SABR-METS, Jose will be sold high…traded away for better value. I will be 100% behind the move. His OBP is not high enough, he does not walk enough, and stolen bases will no longer be considered a premium.
November 5th, 2010 at 12:43 am
Sign Al Weis to be the lead off hitter…I mean who really gives a f@@k
November 5th, 2010 at 12:59 am
Since Dave Jauss was interviewed for manager, thought some fans may find this interview interesting:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=10088