Sandy Alderson has been the Mets general manager since October of 2010. Under Alderson, the Mets have had seasons of 77, 74, 74, 79, 90, 87, and 70 wins. That run does include a trip to the World Series in 2015 (they lost in five games to the Royals) and a loss in the 2016 NL wild card game.
Alderson is 70 years old, and it seemed as though the run of mediocrity, especially last season’s massive disappointment, might mean it was time to move on, or at the very least prepare a plan of succession.
Instead, the Mets announced an extension:
The New York Mets today announced that General Manager Sandy Alderson has signed a contract extension. Terms were not disclosed.
…
“I’m excited that Sandy will continue to lead the organization,” said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon.
Alderson was honored as the 2015 Baseball America Executive of the Year.
“I feel that we have some unfinished business,” said Alderson. “Spring Training is around the corner and our quest to return to the postseason will continue.”
That’s interesting timing. Alderson’s deal was reportedly up at the end of 2017, so the Mets were going to have to do something, of course. And they hadn’t signaled wanting to make a major change, so fans expecting a shakeup were probably always destined to be disappointing. But why wait two months to announce it, if it was always going to happen?
Mets fans, though, weren’t pleased about it, replying to the tweet announcing the move thusly:
We have extended the contract of General Manager Sandy Alderson. #Mets
More Info: https://t.co/KmPckU1AEY pic.twitter.com/VAS38Pk7AM
— New York Mets (@Mets) December 21, 2017
Our farm system is garbage, he has been garbage at picking top prospects, and our team is in no shape to compete compete in 2018. But okay. Reward him.
— Molly (@mps0409) December 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/DeanPapp/status/943640863573532677
— TMFGDB (@TMFGDB) December 21, 2017
The ratio grew pretty quickly:
The Mets with the "If Dave Kingman Played In 2017" Ratio pic.twitter.com/Sz7F91bjVr
— jesse spector (@jessespector) December 21, 2017
Perhaps my favorite exchange, though, was at the top of the replies when I saw it. These two responders cut right to the heart of the Mets real problem:
This means nothing if the Wilpons don't sell the team so thanks for nothing
— Jeff 🏴 Ⓐ (@clashcityrkr728) December 21, 2017
I will never understand how a divorce could force the sale of a team but getting caught in a ponzi scheme can't
— Jen (@jpizzle40) December 21, 2017
That’s in reference to the saga that saw MLB force Frank McCourt to sell the Dodgers, a move that’s resulted in people with money buying the team, hiring an expansive and intelligent front office, and becoming a force in the National League now and for the foreseeable future. The Mets, meanwhile, are still owned by the Wilpons despite team ownership essentially hiring Bernie Madoff to manage the team’s finances.
So why are the Wilpons still in charge?
Because MLB is just as complicit in this as the Wilpons
— Jeff 🏴 Ⓐ (@clashcityrkr728) December 21, 2017
Ah yes, there we go.
The ratio is still climbing, too.
