The Mets Ownership / Management Thread

[Paulypal]

Yes, the Mets would be a better team this year with Reyes at SS. However, Reyes wanted and got a LONG TERM deal. A six year contract for a speed player with bad legs is a bad baseball decision. The Marlins offered it because they needed to make a splash to sell tickets for a new ballpark. I perdict in two or three years from now Miami will be trying to unload Jose much like the Mets tried to unload Luis Castillo. A young Castillo was very similiar to a young Reyes. Too bad Luis got old and was wearing a Met uniform when it happened. I am happy for Reyes and happy to know he will get old in someone elses uniform. I asked this question a few weeks ago the last time Jose was put in the HOF by a few on this thread; If Jose Reyes was such an attractive free agent, how come no other teams in baseball were interested in him? No one had a answer to this simple baseball question. However, many spoke of the teams finances which they really know nothing about unless they see the teams books or can put the owners on a polygraph machine. It amazes me how much some can talk about something they really know nothing about.

I agree with you on Reyes. I think whatever team signed him to a long term deal would live to regret the last couple of years. What sits badly with Met fans is that because of financial constraints an offer couldnt even be made.

With that said my question has always been - Why would Reyes have wanted to stay regardless of the offer? Why would a player want to stay with a team that ownership publicly criticized him, the team is going no where for the next 5 years, and would sign for less money than he would have received from another team?

If anyone is going to respond to the above paragraph by saying "but he was a homegrown Met, and should have been loyal"......think about what your typing...get in the real world.....delete the line before you hit "submit reply"....step away from the computer, and go pet your dog.

What I strongly disagree with you about is putting Castillo and Reyes in the same sentence. Jose's game is so much more dynamic than Castillo's ever was.

[Strawman]

Yeah comparing Reyes to Castillo is really going too far - he's a much more dynamic player.

Of course, Jose wanted his big free agent deal - it's a rough business and it's rare that the talent within this business is in such a strong negotiating position with management (think of the many thousands of prospects who don't pan out on a yearly basis). But the thing is, what part of a contract do you pay for? Reyes took a first-year discount to sign with the hideous Marlins, for heck's sake - he agreed to back-load his deal to get it done, knowing they may deal him on the back-end. For less than what Alderson spent on some mid-level talent this off-season, the Mets could have had Reyes batting lead-off and playing SS behind Johan Santana on Opening Day - what's that worth to ticket sales? A ton.

I guess Pauly's right about the financial constraints - except that Alderson over-spent Jose's year one contract by several million bucks for the likes of Frank Francisco and Company! Sure, it's the Alderson model not to go long-term, and that's what we have now until he departs. We have to face facts: that's why Alderson was brought in - to slash and burn like Sherman through Georgia (Sherman was better with the fans and media, however).

But I think if the Mets had actually made an offer of 5-6 years in the range of what the Marlins did, even back-loaded because of current financial pressures, they'd have inked Reyes and sold the 300,000 tickets they now won't sell in 2012.

Further, what's the most successful franchise in MLB....[insert Jeopardy music here]...that's right Mets fans, it's the one across town owned by that corporation down in Tampa. Do they sign everyday All-Star players to long-term deals (especially 29-year-olds)? Oh, I think they do.

[rjsallstars]

Yeah comparing Reyes to Castillo is really going too far - he's a much more dynamic player.

Of course, Jose wanted his big free agent deal - it's a rough business and it's rare that the talent within this business is in such a strong negotiating position with management (think of the many thousands of prospects who don't pan out on a yearly basis). But the thing is, what part of a contract do you pay for? Reyes took a first-year discount to sign with the hideous Marlins, for heck's sake - he agreed to back-load his deal to get it done, knowing they may deal him on the back-end. For less than what Alderson spent on some mid-level talent this off-season, the Mets could have had Reyes batting lead-off and playing SS behind Johan Santana on Opening Day - what's that worth to ticket sales? A ton.

I guess Pauly's right about the financial constraints - except that Alderson over-spent Jose's year one contract by several million bucks for the likes of Frank Francisco and Company! Sure, it's the Alderson model not to go long-term, and that's what we have now until he departs. We have to face facts: that's why Alderson was brought in - to slash and burn like Sherman through Georgia (Sherman was better with the fans and media, however).

But I think if the Mets had actually made an offer of 5-6 years in the range of what the Marlins did, even back-loaded because of current financial pressures, they'd have inked Reyes and sold the 300,000 tickets they now won't sell in 2012.

Further, what's the most successful franchise in MLB....[insert Jeopardy music here]...that's right Mets fans, it's the one across town owned by that corporation down in Tampa. Do they sign everyday All-Star players to long-term deals (especially 29-year-olds)? Oh, I think they do.

Look through Castillos stats, I supplied a link at the bottom and you see exactly what happens to a player who relies on speed and has bad legs when they get older. Castillos stats up to age 30/31 are actually all-star caliber, a far cry from what we saw of him with the Mets, but the Mets paid him for what he did with the Marlins. Met fans did not go to watch Reyes last year when he was fighting for a batting title, what makes you think they would come this year to see him, much less for the next 6 years as his skills erode? He would just turn into another overpaid whipping boy who was smart enough to seperate a fool from his money. Met fans would boo him!!

Although the relievers the Mets signed/traded for look terrible so far lets give them at least until late April before we deem them worthless!!

As far as the Yankee comparison, the Mets have already failed at trying to be the Yankees. Please lets not try it again.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...ilu01.shtmlTE]

[Strawman]

Look through Castillos stats, I supplied a link at the bottom and you see exactly what happens to a player who relies on speed and has bad legs when they get older. Castillos stats up to age 30/31 are actually all-star caliber, a far cry from what we saw of him with the Mets, but the Mets paid him for what he did with the Marlins. Met fans did not go to watch Reyes last year when he was fighting for a batting title, what makes you think they would come this year to see him, much less for the next 6 years as his skills erode? He would just turn into another overpaid whipping boy who was smart enough to seperate a fool from his money. Met fans would boo him!!

Although the relievers the Mets signed/traded for look terrible so far lets give them at least until late April before we deem them worthless!!

As far as the Yankee comparison, the Mets have already failed at trying to be the Yankees. Please lets not try it again.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...ilu01.shtmlTE]

Yeah Castillo was a very good player - made 3 All-Star teams. Ran a lot early in his career, but that declined at age 26. But he's no Reyes, in terms of speed, power, production, the full package. Never had 200 hits, only scored 100 runs once. Etc. Reyes - if he stays healthy - has a shot at the Hall of Fame. He's already highly rated in terms of all-time shortstops and will only climb the ladder (again, if healthy).

BTW, the SB will continue to be part of Jose's game - but he's more of a 30-40 guy now, which is perfectly cool. His bat does the talking. This pure "speed" thing is Aldersonian jive, not worthy of repetition here. If Reyes merely matches the number of hits and extra base-hits and only has 20 sb's - he'd still be top-drawer. His 162-game average is pretty stellar especially for a shortstop:

.292
201 hits
113 runs
34 2B
15 3B
12HR

Besides, plenty of "speed" guys play a long time. To me, Jose Reyes is Paul Molitor with a better glove and arm. Molitor, an early speedster, had his best years in his 30s - after some bad injuries. I think Reyes will too.

As to the Yankee point, the Mets have never matched the Yanks in terms of investing in baseball operations - prospects, free agents, signing all homegrown stars to long-term deals, deep bench top to bottom every year - so the "they already tried that" line makes no sense at all. They really haven't tried it.

[Ralf]

God, when will these silly circular Reyes arguments end......?

In more relevant Mets related news, the unfairly and oft-maligned Alderson (perhaps with a new mandate due to the Madoff saga being over), is about to make a great move by extending Niese. I think we'll start to see him put more of a stamp on the franchise now that Omar's mess is nearing its end and there is the appearance of fiscal stability. The first two offseasons he was severely hampered by some dead weight and no payroll flexibility. I actually think this will be a fun transition year as guys develop and we see who will be a long-term solution.

[rjsallstars]

God, when will these silly circular Reyes arguments end......?

In more relevant Mets related news, the unfairly and oft-maligned Alderson (perhaps with a new mandate due to the Madoff saga being over), is about to make a great move by extending Niese. I think we'll start to see him put more of a stamp on the franchise now that Omar's mess is nearing its end and there is the appearance of fiscal stability. The first two offseasons he was severely hampered by some dead weight and no payroll flexibility. I actually think this will be a fun transition year as guys develop and we see who will be a long-term solution.

I could not agree with you more. People are going to get the chance to see a team built from the ground up and it will make the celebration of a championship all the sweeter, just like in the 80s. But it will take some time, have patience Met fans.

[Paulypal]

Yeah comparing Reyes to Castillo is really going too far - he's a much more dynamic player.

Of course, Jose wanted his big free agent deal - it's a rough business and it's rare that the talent within this business is in such a strong negotiating position with management (think of the many thousands of prospects who don't pan out on a yearly basis). But the thing is, what part of a contract do you pay for? Reyes took a first-year discount to sign with the hideous Marlins, for heck's sake - he agreed to back-load his deal to get it done, knowing they may deal him on the back-end. For less than what Alderson spent on some mid-level talent this off-season, the Mets could have had Reyes batting lead-off and playing SS behind Johan Santana on Opening Day - what's that worth to ticket sales? A ton.

I guess Pauly's right about the financial constraints - except that Alderson over-spent Jose's year one contract by several million bucks for the likes of Frank Francisco and Company! Sure, it's the Alderson model not to go long-term, and that's what we have now until he departs. We have to face facts: that's why Alderson was brought in - to slash and burn like Sherman through Georgia (Sherman was better with the fans and media, however).

But I think if the Mets had actually made an offer of 5-6 years in the range of what the Marlins did, even back-loaded because of current financial pressures, they'd have inked Reyes and sold the 300,000 tickets they now won't sell in 2012.

Further, what's the most successful franchise in MLB....[insert Jeopardy music here]...that's right Mets fans, it's the one across town owned by that corporation down in Tampa. Do they sign everyday All-Star players to long-term deals (especially 29-year-olds)? Oh, I think they do.

I say let the Marlins live with a bad contract and pay Jose 20+ million to limp around the bases in a few years. I'll pass.

[Strawman]

God, when will these silly circular Reyes arguments end......?

In more relevant Mets related news, the unfairly and oft-maligned Alderson (perhaps with a new mandate due to the Madoff saga being over), is about to make a great move by extending Niese. I think we'll start to see him put more of a stamp on the franchise now that Omar's mess is nearing its end and there is the appearance of fiscal stability. The first two offseasons he was severely hampered by some dead weight and no payroll flexibility. I actually think this will be a fun transition year as guys develop and we see who will be a long-term solution.

Thats exactly what's bad news - Alderson's 'stamp' on the franchise. Omar was a mess, but man it was a much better, more competitive team that just fell short. Niese is an ok lefty - he's decent 4th starter type. But going long-term there shows how clueless and past it Alderson really is, and goes 180-degrees from the guy's stated strategy. The Mets are in terrible hands.

[Mongoose]

I find it interesting the same fans supportive of Wilpon spending very little on the team also tend to be supportive of him charging a lot. They don't want the Mets to be the Yankees in terms of spending, but don't seem to mind it where ticket prices are concerned.

I think they've got it ass-backwards.

Like many others on this board, I think their reported losses on the Mets were nonsense. This goes beyond the Mets: MLB is terrified of opening its books. The Wilpons are probably MLB's worst offenders, though, because they're in a huge, lucrative market yet give their fans a garbage team. The fact the Wilpons had enough cash on hand to buy $120 million in shares of the team from themselves proves all the talk about not signing anyone over MLB minimum to maintain "payroll flexibility" was a lie.

I see no bright side in fielding a big market version of the Pittsburgh Pirates. I see it as an act of contempt towards the fan base. The fact that some fans are making excuses for ownership over this can be seen as justifying ownership's contempt.

[Strawman]

I find it interesting the same fans supportive of Wilpon spending very little on the team also tend to be supportive of him charging a lot. They don't want the Mets to be the Yankees in terms of spending, but don't seem to mind it where ticket prices are concerned.

I think they've got it ass-backwards.

Like many others on this board, I think their reported losses on the Mets were nonsense. This goes beyond the Mets: MLB is terrified of opening its books. The Wilpons are probably MLB's worst offenders, though, because they're in a huge, lucrative market yet give their fans a garbage team. The fact the Wilpons had enough cash on hand to buy $120 million in shares of the team from themselves proves all the talk about not signing anyone over MLB minimum to maintain "payroll flexibility" was a lie.

I see no bright side in fielding a big market version of the Pittsburgh Pirates. I see it as an act of contempt towards the fan base. The fact that some fans are making excuses for ownership over this can be seen as justifying ownership's contempt.

Exactly - it's like watching a hostage tape sometimes.

[rjsallstars]

I find it interesting the same fans supportive of Wilpon spending very little on the team also tend to be supportive of him charging a lot. They don't want the Mets to be the Yankees in terms of spending, but don't seem to mind it where ticket prices are concerned.

I think they've got it ass-backwards.

Like many others on this board, I think their reported losses on the Mets were nonsense. This goes beyond the Mets: MLB is terrified of opening its books. The Wilpons are probably MLB's worst offenders, though, because they're in a huge, lucrative market yet give their fans a garbage team. The fact the Wilpons had enough cash on hand to buy $120 million in shares of the team from themselves proves all the talk about not signing anyone over MLB minimum to maintain "payroll flexibility" was a lie.

I see no bright side in fielding a big market version of the Pittsburgh Pirates. I see it as an act of contempt towards the fan base. The fact that some fans are making excuses for ownership over this can be seen as justifying ownership's contempt.

Then root for the Yankees or don't root at all. Maybe its time to get on with your life .Btw, I think if Fred knew you were making fun of his yellow teeth you would have hurt his feelings, boy you showed him!!

[rjsallstars]

I find it interesting the same fans supportive of Wilpon spending very little on the team also tend to be supportive of him charging a lot. They don't want the Mets to be the Yankees in terms of spending, but don't seem to mind it where ticket prices are concerned.

I think they've got it ass-backwards.

Like many others on this board, I think their reported losses on the Mets were nonsense. This goes beyond the Mets: MLB is terrified of opening its books. The Wilpons are probably MLB's worst offenders, though, because they're in a huge, lucrative market yet give their fans a garbage team. The fact the Wilpons had enough cash on hand to buy $120 million in shares of the team from themselves proves all the talk about not signing anyone over MLB minimum to maintain "payroll flexibility" was a lie.

I see no bright side in fielding a big market version of the Pittsburgh Pirates. I see it as an act of contempt towards the fan base. The fact that some fans are making excuses for ownership over this can be seen as justifying ownership's contempt.

Then root for the Yankees or don't root at all. Maybe its time to get on with your life .Btw, I think if Fred knew you were making fun of his yellow teeth you would have hurt his feelings, boy you showed him!!

[dstoffa]

I never understood why any Mets fan would be more concerned about Wilpon's bottom line than seeing quality players on the field.

If players took Monopoly money as payment, and money grew on trees, (or I had Steinbrenner money), I'd simply pay him what he wants. But I don't have that bottomless pit. In a few years, when Reyes' numbers no longer justify his salary, I am stuck. I cannot trade him, because no team will want him, and if I do trade him, then I have to eat part of his salary and then pay his replacement.

I'd have this opinion no matter WHO owned the team. If I were owner, I wouldn't have made him the offer he got. That contract will be an albatross sooner rather than later. And having my hands tied hurts me in a few years when all the rebuilding efforts are in place, and I need to make an upgrade...

For YEARS, the New York Rangers paid mercenaries to achieve greatness. Only in the past six / seven years has management finally gone down the right path, and developed a team with home grown talent, with limited big-ticket free agent help. The Mets will need to follow this path in they plan to field a consistent winner over the long haul. If that means letting a player go whose salary no longer fits into the mold, then so be it. Lou did it in New Jersey all the time....

Cheers!
-Doug

[Strawman]

If players took Monopoly money as payment, and money grew on trees, (or I had Steinbrenner money), I'd simply pay him what he wants. But I don't have that bottomless pit. In a few years, when Reyes' numbers no longer justify his salary, I am stuck. I cannot trade him, because no team will want him, and if I do trade him, then I have to eat part of his salary and then pay his replacement.

I'd have this opinion no matter WHO owned the team. If I were owner, I wouldn't have made him the offer he got. That contract will be an albatross sooner rather than later. And having my hands tied hurts me in a few years when all the rebuilding efforts are in place, and I need to make an upgrade...

For YEARS, the New York Rangers paid mercenaries to achieve greatness. Only in the past six / seven years has management finally gone down the right path, and developed a team with home grown talent, with limited big-ticket free agent help. The Mets will need to follow this path in they plan to field a consistent winner over the long haul. If that means letting a player go whose salary no longer fits into the mold, then so be it. Lou did it in New Jersey all the time....

Cheers!
-Doug

You're kidding, right? The Mets DID develop homegrown players, including the All-Star shortstop who was the best at his position in team history. Unlike the Steinbrenners - whose ship-building business is no more and was probably smaller than the Wilpons Manhattan real estate empire anyway - the Mets made a decision not to keep that homegrown talent.

It's a catastrophic call, as the bottom has dropped out of ticket sales. I'm not saying signing Reyes would have improved ticket sales - I am saying it would have prevented total collapse among huge sections of the fan base. It's possibly the worst business decision in the last 30 years in Metsland.

[GordonGecko]

The big picture problem is that Jason Bay is collecting the paycheck Jose Reyes should have been getting. I blame Omar Minaya more than anyone for Reyes being gone. If Santana has any game left in him, he's going to be gone too. Wright is not going anywhere only because then you truly would have a total collapse in fans

[dstoffa]

You're kidding, right? The Mets DID develop homegrown players, including the All-Star shortstop who was the best at his position in team history. Unlike the Steinbrenners - whose ship-building business is no more and was probably smaller than the Wilpons Manhattan real estate empire anyway - the Mets made a decision not to keep that homegrown talent.

Again, at what price? Stupid trades don't count. How many home-grown Mets have left the team for a bigger paycheck via free agency? I can think of two off the top of my head: Daryl and Jose.

Call it apathy towards owners who come off as indifferent to the common man; call it a bad economy; call it modern professional sports. Ticket sales are affected by much more than one player.

It's fun to play with the crystal ball here, but unless Jose was willing to take a shorter deal, I wouldn't pay him that salary over the long term. It's Hampton Colorado money.... We all know how that deal worked out...

Cheers!
-Doug

[Strawman]

Again, at what price? Stupid trades don't count. How many home-grown Mets have left the team for a bigger paycheck via free agency? I can think of two off the top of my head: Daryl and Jose.

Call it apathy towards owners who come off as indifferent to the common man; call it a bad economy; call it modern professional sports. Ticket sales are affected by much more than one player.

It's fun to play with the crystal ball here, but unless Jose was willing to take a shorter deal, I wouldn't pay him that salary over the long term. It's Hampton Colorado money.... We all know how that deal worked out...

Cheers!
-Doug

Nah, it's Jeter-Yankees money - far more accurately than a pitchers' long-term deal. And please, this pro-owner Wilpon-excusing "left the Mets" disinformation is troubling - the Mets never made an offer to the best SS in their history coming off a batting title, a player equally as popular and marketable as David Wright. Sheer business lunacy. And in direct proportion, the bottom has dropped out of ticket sales.

Here's another story on that:

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/articl...-new-york-mets

[dstoffa]

Nah, it's Jeter-Yankees money - far more accurately than a pitchers' long-term deal.

I disagree. I don't think he remains healthy (and this productive) over the majority length of that contract, given his history with injury. Doesn't matter in my opinion if they made an offer or not. I don't think he's worth his salary in years 3+.

I think we will have to agree to disagree.


Cheers!
-Doug

[ribant]

Nah, it's Jeter-Yankees money - far more accurately than a pitchers' long-term deal. And please, this pro-owner Wilpon-excusing "left the Mets" disinformation is troubling - the Mets never made an offer to the best SS in their history coming off a batting title, a player equally as popular and marketable as David Wright. Sheer business lunacy. And in direct proportion, the bottom has dropped out of ticket sales.

Here's another story on that:

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/articl...-new-york-mets

Very poor analogy.

Jeter is worth far more in marketing $$$ than Reyes will ever be.

Derek stuff is a top seller cross country, he is in national ads, dates Minka Kelly, and is in the front of the paper as well as the back.

Jose stuff doesn't sell outside of New York, isn't in national ads, doesn't date celebrities, and is never in the front of the paper.

Derek is going into the Hall of Fame. The press loves him and is odds on for a first ballot entry.

Jose is not going into the Hall of Fame. The press isn't fond of him for pulling himself out to clinch the batting title and will not even be a Veterans Committee choice.

Derek has extremely high marketing value well past his playing days.

Jose has better than average marketing value until his hamstring breaks.

[Strawman]

I disagree. I don't think he remains healthy (and this productive) over the majority length of that contract, given his history with injury. Doesn't matter in my opinion if they made an offer or not. I don't think he's worth his salary in years 3+.

I think we will have to agree to disagree.


Cheers!
-Doug

True - we'll have to wait and see. But I do think one aspect is clear: ticket sales are dropping like a rock and it's linked specifically to the Reyes non-move and more generally to the feeling the club has given up on fans and is cutting (historically, the largest salary drop for a team in MLB history).

[ribant]

True - we'll have to wait and see. But I do think one aspect is clear: ticket sales are dropping like a rock and it's linked specifically to the Reyes non-move and more generally to the feeling the club has given up on fans and is cutting (historically, the largest salary drop for a team in MLB history).

I don't believe it is linked to the Reyes non-move. At least not as the driving force you claim.

This team not that much different than last year's team. Even with Jose going for the batting title the place was a morgue.

[Strawman]

I don't believe it is linked to the Reyes non-move. At least not as the driving force you claim.

This team not that much different than last year's team. Even with Jose going for the batting title the place was a morgue.

Well I've got two anecdotal pieces on this:

- I know 7 guys with plans last year. Two fulls, five partials. All not-renewing. None of them high-rollers, all upstairs. Every one cites the Reyes move first, then general dissatisfaction with the team.

- My teenagers, who've been going to games since they were in diapers. By far, their favorite Met was Jose Reyes. They argue the team is disloyal to them, unfocused on the future, and they don't want to go to the games this year. So we won't be going to more than 2-3 games at most.

It's absolutely about Reyes. And while you're right about Jeter's marketability, that money goes to Jeter - the Ford ads, btw, are regional not national. Sure, he's a Hall of Famer. But right now at age 29, Jose Reyes has better stats than Paul Molitor did. If he gets 200 hits this year, he's got 1,500 by age 30. You may think he'll decline, but I don't - an honest difference of opinion.

I do think he should have been signed as the "face of the Mets" - and their best player - for the next 5 years.

[ribant]

Well I've got two anecdotal pieces on this:

- I know 7 guys with plans last year. Two fulls, five partials. All not-renewing. None of them high-rollers, all upstairs. Every one cites the Reyes move first, then general dissatisfaction with the team.

- My teenagers, who've been going to games since they were in diapers. By far, their favorite Met was Jose Reyes. They argue the team is disloyal to them, unfocused on the future, and they don't want to go to the games this year. So we won't be going to more than 2-3 games at most.

It's absolutely about Reyes. And while you're right about Jeter's marketability, that money goes to Jeter - the Ford ads, btw, are regional not national. Sure, he's a Hall of Famer. But right now at age 29, Jose Reyes has better stats than Paul Molitor did. If he gets 200 hits this year, he's got 1,500 by age 30. You may think he'll decline, but I don't - an honest difference of opinion.

I do think he should have been signed as the "face of the Mets" - and their best player - for the next 5 years.

I don't doubt some dropped either in protest, or just from the organizations malaise.

I think OD is an event that pulls the fair weather fan and baseball's version of scenesters. They are the ones staying home in droves and I think it is because of the negative buzz the organization got in the press from Picard's lawsuit.

Even though they won the suit it will take a while, or a contending team to get those fan's back.

Keep in mind the passionate fans on this board account for about .00000002% of total sales.

FWIW I don't think Jose was ever being groomed as the face of the franchise. That is David's job.

[Strawman]

FWIW I don't think Jose was ever being groomed as the face of the franchise. That is David's job.

Oh, I agree - though it was grave mistake. Though David is a fine player and good fellow, he's no Jose in terms of personality and exuberant all-out hustle and he tends to wilt in the spotlight. The Wilpons should have chosen Jose as the face of the team - would have been better all around.

But let's just say they didn't believe he would "sell" - for whatever reasons people of an older generation tend to have - and leave it at that. But if they had to choose (and I'm convinced they really didn't have to), they chose wrong.

[Mongoose]

If players took Monopoly money as payment, and money grew on trees, (or I had Steinbrenner money), I'd simply pay him what he wants. But I don't have that bottomless pit.

I'm sure players would be happy to take SNY money - you know, the kind of money Wilpon gets scores of millions of per year, but doesn't reinvest in the team.

It's funny: other teams keep their regional sports networks as separate entities so they can shield profits from revenue sharing and pump them back into baseball operations - which helps make being in a big market a commanding advantage. The Wilpons simply stick that money into their pockets and plead poverty.

It's surprising any fans believe them.