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Mets GM Omar Minaya recently appeared on WFAN’s Mike and the Maddog, and had the following to say regarding…
…the idea that he let Willie Randolph twist in the wind, by not making an announcement about his future sooner…
“It really started more after the Sunday game…I went to Willie’s office, and he was very emotional about losing. And, I feel, being the GM, I have to be there to answer the questions, because you’re the head guy. And the first question that came to me was, ‘Hey, is Willie gonna be back,’ and, for me, at the time, I have to sort of sit back and think about this. I’ll be honest with you, when you have the kind of season we had with the type of team we had…I felt I had to at least pause and at least review these things. It’s only fair…
“I told Willie, too, ‘These things happen,’ and Willie understood. I also feel, in looking at that, I had look at Willie’s body of work that he’s done here…It was my decision. I didn’t have to go to ownership, and ask if it was okay that I do this. I run the Baseball Operations department, so those managers are my decision. That being said, I did tell Willie, and he understood.”
…the relationship between Randolph and Minaya’s Assistant GM Tony Bernazard…
“There is not a problem between them…He has a great relationship with the players because he used to be with the Player’s Union…and that actually helps the manager, because the person has a great relationship with the player and is able to convey things to the manager that help out.”
…whether he feels it is important to have unity among the coaches, i.e., let Randolph choose his coaching staff, as opposed to Minaya making the selections as has been done the last two seasons…
“I’m half way on this, in that I think a manager should have the freedom to pick his coaches. So, lets look at our coaches: Rick Peterson came on board, and when we came on board, we decided to keep him…Jerry Manuel is Willie’s guy…Sandy Alomar was picked by Willie…Tommy Nieto, I had never met Tommy Nieto, he’s done a great job, and that’s Willie’s guy…Rick Down was Willie’s pick, and that one we disagreed on this year…and we went back and forth. He wanted to pick Howard Johnson, I said that’s no problem…
“My philosophy is such that the manager should be able to pick his guys, but I also believe that as a GM I have the ‘veto power’ to say no to a guy…If Willie doesn’t want a guy, he will not be back…and I think it’s fair to say we are going to sit down and evaluate all our coaches.”
…the relationship between Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes, and whether it had a negative impact on Reyes…
“That’s news to me, as far as being out late with Reyes…As far as Reyes’s decline…I think there’s a combination of things, I think he got tired and part because Jose had never been through a pennant race and I do believe he got in to a rut and could not get out of it mentally and physically – and I’m pretty sure he started to press.”
…the idea that the Mets were too confident, and got complacent…
“I think you guys are right, a lot of times I think there was a sense of over-confidence. There was that because we’re good on paper we’re gonna win this. I hope we learn from this that you don’t win on paper.”
…the idea of immaturity, the hi-five celebrations, lack of discipline, and dancing on the top step of the dugout, etc…
“I don’t know that the word is immaturity, but there is definitely inexperience and yes they do need to mature…That’s why I say, you know, understanding that you’re on the big stage, you’re in the pennant race for the first time…I do think there is a way to play this game correct, but I also am understanding of young kid’s emotions and how they express themselves…and that’s why the model is one of veteran players and younger players.”
…whether he feels he must make wholesale changes…
“I have always believed that you make change if it makes sense, not just changes for the sake of making changes…To me, we have the nucleous…We’re going to sit down and evaluate those things and if it means we need to make major changes we will make them.”
To listen to Minaya’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
omar on delgado saying we get bored:
i never heard that before.
WTF! is this guy living in a bubble?
sorry but omar is the new steve phillips. he will be an analyst on espn by july.
yeah that got me upset too, but at least he said he didnt like to hear that…he said at first he was unaware, then kinda contradicted himself…but come on, dont call him steve phillips…
how could you not know that? it was quoted everywhere. how can he be making decisions about the future of this club if he doesnt even know how badly his players are knocking the team and its management?
whats wrong with calling him steve phillips? both were regarded as the best in the business. now steve is an analyst, and warming the seat next to him for omar. this team will not recover from this year. both willie and omar will be out by the all star break.
i KNOW, for an absolute, 100% guaranteed FACT, because ive seen it with my own eyes, AND because i heard from the bartender ANDDDD DJ at Bridgeview Yacht Club, that Jose Reyes would get RIPPED, utterly POLLUTED drunk on Saturdays or Tuesdays there, over the summer, with or without Castillo.
There is a techno song that has the OLE OLE OLE in it, Reyes got excited about that song, jumped up and down, went to talk to my friend who DJs there, saw his A-ROd jersey and got “mad” at him, like as a goof…later that night, he had to be helped out
NOW, not that this is a BAD thing, or makes him bad, because we’ve all done it or STILL DO, and what the hell, he’s a rich celebrity in NY….but it got me a little upset to see him get like that, Saturday before a day game sunday..ive also seen him and SPOKEN to him at Posh nightclub in LI (which is now closed) and i know first hand of QUITE a disturbing story involving him and a lady….
so i DO appreciate and understand omar’s words on the FAN that i just listened to, and i think he’s mostly telling the truth..but at the same time, he knows he’s being listened to by a million people…maybe take some of what he said with a grain of salt..
whats ur source I really dont think Jose would do that. i know he has a family and a house in LI
they blocked my response to this one too…i dont remember exactly what i posted, but I AM YOUR SOURCE, i SAW IT WITH MY OWN 2 EYES, ANDDDD i am VERY good friends with the staff therre (promoters, bartenders, DJ)…heck, i was just with the bartender last NITE eating wings, watchin the games and we were talkin about that nite again…
dude, you gotta tell this story.. im very interested.
So you know “first hand” of a disturbing story involving him and a lady….
Are you the lady? If not, it’s not “first hand.”
no idea if its true but i have heard the same story…i live about 10 min away from posh and i know the exact story you have heard but if repeated would def not get posted on metsblog
yep, you’re right…glass table, thats all i gotta say
You know I am friends with everyone at every hotel in the city. All my best friends have told me that Derek Jeter and A-Rod often sneak into hotels and check into the same room. These rooms have cameras and you didn’t hear this from me but there will be a sex tape coming out between the 2. True story
LOL.
they keep taking down my posts, so im gonna just quite while im ahead…if u wanna talk to me, just look at my login name here…and aim for a way to talk to me
You know what’s really really sad….you may know the same girl that my friend knows.
He told me the EXACT SAME THING about Jose a couple of weeks ago…and i didnt believe it.
I think it needs to be known: think Doc and Daryl
i definitely want to hear this story
so f’in tell us about it. Cerrone keeps taking it down? Post it. If it’s what i think it is, then it will surface eventually.
Post it, be the first to do so.
There’s not much to say…a lot of he-said, she-said stuff….as far as what I know…
But what I did hear is that it’s a growing problem….
i hope reyes goes out and enjoys life. who doesn’t?
think most athletes don’t go out partying?
how about wright, floyd, and lo duca?
http://deadspin.com/sports/baseball/meet-the-mets-181663.php
Yes, I know the exact story you are talking about that involved a coffee table.
I can’t wait for Opening Day in April!
Will the Mets be hanging a “2007: Biggest Regular Season Collapse Ever” banner to go along with the ridiculous “Wild Card Winner” and “Division Series Winner” banners?
This Omar interview was disturbing. He is either full of it, clueless, or in denial about the mess of a team that he put together.
The Mets are not a young team.
He filled this team up with 35 y.o. + players; their avg. age was tied with Boston as oldest (30.8) in the majors.
He built a team that is win now and refused to trade younger players he had as trading chips for the pitching help he desperately needed.
Plus, Willie needs to go. Omar is keeping Willie around to make Willie the scapegoat when things go wrong again.
This is a franchise that settles for being mediocre and doesn’t do what it takes to get to the top of the mountain.
Boston got rid of Grady Little after 2003.
Willie is responsible for 3 straight terrible Septembers, his team was bored, his team chokes, his team had the worst regular season collapse of all time, he doesn’t know common baseball strategy.
What other reason do you need to get rid of him?
Omar’s greatest successes are giving Beltran & Pedro the years and money (Wilpon’s money) no one else would. The rest of his track record is 50-50 at best.
In “Omar We Trust T-Shirts”, now 5 for $1.00!!!
omars 2 greatest achievements are getting maine and perez
I will give him credit for Maine but Perez was a salary dump throw in on the Nady for Hernandez trade.
As you recall, the Mets desperately needed bullpen help (Hernandez) at the deadline after the Sanchez accident. He had no intention of trading Nady and the Pirates had given up on OP.
Do you honestly think that if the Sanchez accident didn’t happen that Omar was going to trade Nady that day for Perez and someone else?
no i don’t think he would’ve made that trade if the accident didn’t happen…however he did make the trade and had the smarts to trade nady for instant help (although roberto wasn’t so great) along w/ long term help which has worked out very well…just b/c the pirates were being stupid and dumping salary doesn’t mean omar didn’t make a very savvy move and just b/c outside circumstances provoked the trade doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be commended for it
thats ridiculous that the used the excuse of that the young guys in reyes, wright, milledge, gomez, peflrey and maine were in their first pennant race . First off only reyes, wright and maine were on the team the whole year the other 3 were on it but weren’t main parts! also thats NO EXCUSE AT ALL for willie to get the young guys focused on the pennant race (wright seemed pretty wise and focused) ALSO these team is A VETERAN TEAM! pedro, glavine, alou, delgado, green, lo duca, wagner ect ect these guys should know how to handle this Omar contradicts himself so FREAKIN MUCH and always tries to say the “right thing” hes so vague he really pisses me off. He MUST MUST get atleast 2 new stars on this team and get MUCH MUCH younger. the fanbase won’t recover from this but 2 stars would provide some hope for 08 because that collapse was a disgrace!
Granted, I may not be the ultimate one in the loop, but this is the first i’m hearing of Reyes out partying… remember the USA Today article earlier this year where he rarely went out? Obviously, contradiction here… you can surely bet if Castillo is/was a bad influence on Reyes, he will not return, so perhaps that will tell at least part of the story, whether or not Castillo returns…. Stay tuned
yo, they blocked my response to this…i dont feel like gettin into it again…but rest assured, i am FRIENDS, hung out with the guys just the other day, with the staff (bartenders, promoters, dj) from BYC and ive also seen it with my own eyes…doesnt make him BAD at all…im just sayin..omar might not KNOW, or turn a blind eye..that was my point in all this
what did reyes do?
nothing bad, just seen him gettin whacked a few times, and one time in particular, had to be helped, preetty much dragged out on a sat. nite, before a sunday afternoon home game…
Your’e going to need a shovel to read through all of that BS.
Sorry, but all this is a reflection on the Wilpon’s….This guy Minaya is an embarrassment…
“KNOW WHAT I’M SAYIN?”
The only thing that we need to remember is what changes will make this team better? Who besides Ramirez or Rollins would be an upgrade at short? What can Omar do? The free agent class isn’t that great, you can always make trades but to get value you gotta give something up. I keep hearing about Santana but at what cost? It aint as easy as it looks to be a general mgr. Unless you are Cashman and can spend unlimited $$
Ever hear of “Bad Karma”?
Go ahead, keep bad mouthing the Yankees – while all they do to answer is: WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN…
(That’s 13 WIN’S in a row for each of the last 13 years)….
right,…if it was bad mouthing that decided this dude, the Yankees and their fans would all have a lot of bad things done to them…
terrible argument or point
Exactly what I’m talking about – YOU MADE MY POINT YOU FOOL!!!
LOL
Trade beltran, hello gAy-ROD
omar has done a very good job rebuilding this franchise from the rubbles of the 2001-1004 era. omar need to improve the starting pitching and bullpen going into 2008. let’s get it done, omar.
*2004
the only sane comment on here since sunday
how does this guy back up his rickey comments with “he lead the league in steals”…his percentage actually got worse after rickey got here, and reyes was so far ahead when rickey was hired, and the lead over juan pierre was smaller at the end…rickey is bad news, better not be back next year
This Willie thing is a bad move…I forsee the same group of losers being paraded out for ‘08.
Don’t know what Fred is going to do with that new Dodger Center Field and new TV contacts and what have you.
“Come and see the clowns!”
“Everyday is Old Timers Day!”
“Get a free Himlick Manuver poster tonight!”
Mercy, they really broke my heart….
Our METS will be forever remembered for this collapse but they have a chance to also play the bounceback card next year. They can be remembered as a team that knocked on the door, fell down, then broke the damn door off the hinges the following year. A little like the Chicago Bulls of the 80’s when they kept losing to the Pistons before they broke through and won the whole thing and 6 of 7 Championships for one stretch.
What the METS need more than anything is youthful successful starting and relief pitching.
STARTING PITCHING
Pedro does not qualify but he will be great next year. Write it down now. 18 wins
Perez and Maine are two big pieces of the puzzle and can each be very good #3 type starters
El Duque should go to the pen and a 7th inning guy and potential long man. He can not be counted on to pitch as a starter next year.
This means we have 2 holes to replace. We should drop our pants and give up what is needed to get Santana from the Twins. Humber and Pelfrey and Milledge if that gets it done. If they want Maine or Perez, do it. Trade em Maine and Milledge or Pelfrey and Maine for Santana. Do the trade get the quality guy you must have. Peavey is not going anywhere nor is Webb. You can get a guy from Oakland (Blanton, or Harden or Haren) but that is not the type of quality needed. We need a true ace level guy. Target and GET SANTANA
RELIEF PITCHING:
Wagner is back and is very good
Heilman can be kept for the 8th inning role
Feliciano back
El Duque – moved here to the 7th inning role
Joe Smith – Back
Dirty Sanchez???????
The others can go. Drop Mota and eat the money. Trade Shoewneweis and pay half the contract if needed. Get him out of here. Sele. obvious
Need one excellent reliever and another lefty. Excellent quality should be closer type in the making. It could be the kid we got from the Royals (Burgos) who throws 100MPH but he should start the year in AAA and get himself right. He is only 21 or something.
Target a Chad Cordero type closer and make him the true set up man. I’d even consider trading with the BoSox for Gagne to take a flier…if they would trade him straight up for Shoeneweis
POSITION PLAYERS
Reyes
Wright
Delgado
Belran
Alou – Bring him Back
LoDuca – Bring him Back
Gomez – 4th outfielder
Gotay – back up utility guy
Drop Castillo and trade Milledge giving a new opportunity for a stud RF type.
Hence, need one big time OF and one high on base percentage #2 type to play 2nd
This is my hope
Sorry for the length. I just needed to put it out on paper for myself as much as for everyone else. It was cathartic
Need one excellent reliever and another lefty. Excellent quality should be closer type in the making. It could be the kid we got from the Royals (Burgos) who throws 100MPH but he should start the year in AAA and get himself right
Burgos had tommy John, see him in 08 maybe
gomez has speed and speed only, he’s a hyped up version of essix snead.
ahhhh esix snead, the guy who had that 1 walk off HR and the 02-05 Pinch running callup
I agree with your comments on the rotation. We need n off-season #3 (probably the best that’ll be available) to replace Glavine and take a shot on Pelfrey for #5. Put El Duque in the pen to be the 7th or 8th innning guy, where he could be lights out effective and more likely to last the season. Hope the Twins fall out of it and shop Santana at the deadline; of they do, offer whatever it takes (e.g., Milledge, Pelfrey, Fernando Martinez). Santana may be the best #1 in baseball, and he’s still in his prime; could be like the BoSox getting Pedro in the 90’s.
But I wouldn’t assume that Sanchez (or Padilla) will be back in 2006 form. I’d go hard for two premium relievers to help shut down opponents in the 6th through 8th.
And I’d let Moises go, find a RH stud for left, and turn RF over to Milledge (he can build his 23 year old stats as trade bait, then we can give a more seasoned Gomez another shot). Love Moises’ bat, but he’s now an 80 or 90 game guy, and that won’t get it done. And I’d replace Paulie with a strong defensive catcher, even if he hits 8th.
What about this Senario.
Reyes and Pelfrey for Santana
Pick up A-Rod to go back to SS
mets will not trade Jose just sayin
Drop Castillo? Are you crazy or dumb? With Reyes and him at the top its a double threat every time. They are both switch hitters and are fast, The problem is that Reyes was not on base so he couldnt steal or keep the pitcher of balance. Delgado should go, we need a younger bat at first base. We should NOT dump LM we need him to replace Green and our pen is the spot we need to work on. Send Glavine back to Atlanta and pick up another starter. How many games did the pen cost us? We need to take out the trash and rebuild the pen. I say keep Duke as a long man from the pen and see what out there and what it will cost. LoDuca could go if we can replace him with somthing good and Connine must go as well as Alomar and that other dork from the bench. We should keep Anderson and Chavy.
Don’t forget about Padilla
wright, reyes, maine’s first pennant race?
we got alot closer to a pennant in 06 and they were all on the team then. not understanding his logic at all here, this is their second pennant race, and a completely abysmal one at that.
the more and more i hear about reyes, the more and more i want to deal him for santana. i just see him turning into the pompous stuck up leadoff hitter (aka rickey) i never wanted to see on this team again.
if the chance arises where we can deal him for santana, i say do it. his contract was frontloaded with alot of money upfront so i really don’t think the twins would mind taking it on. forget the talk of beltran for santana, if they wanted to pay 15-20 mill a year for a centerfielder they would re-sign Hunter, whom I also don’t think would be a bad option as our left-fielder or center fielder pushing beltran over to left.
regardless, i’d trade reyes for a stud ace pitcher this offseason, sign a-rod to play short if possible (my wildest dream scenario), or sign a guy who can hit at the top of the order, get on base, play hard, basically do it all (eckstein anybody?), and in the meantime draft kid and pray he’ll be able to come through the system and be ready by the time whoever we sign to play shortstop will be done.
The consensus opinion among the Francesas and Russos of the world seems to be that the main problem was that Willie didn’t get to pick his own coaches. What the…? That’s utter, total BS.
Omar had a chance to make a move, and he wimped out.
Do not be surprised, though, if the team gets off to a bad start–especially if Omar brings in more high-priced talent–Willie will be gone by mid-season.
gowrightgo-
Who is the RF stud you have in mind? They don’t grow on trees.
The Reyes rumors don’t surprise me. Reminds me of Gooden back in the 80s. no one wanted to believe it because he was such a good guy, and great pitcher. but the alcohol really brought him down. I hope the Reyes rumors aren’t true, but I can’t think of another explanation. The whole pressing thing is a cop out. Omar likely knows more than he’s letting on, but he’s got to find a way to deal with it or no pennant next year either.
What did Omar say about ex-Mets in the postseason?
Cliffy, Trachsel, and….talk about rubbing soy sauce in the wound—–Kaz Matsui.
heath bell sorta
Jorge Julio
Just throwing some ideas out here .. but I’m curious to see what you guys’ thoughts would be about signing a free agent like Jason Jennings or even Freddy Garcia on a one year incentives based contract, along with the acquisition of a front-line ace starter. I am thinking with the lines that Glavine will be gone and El Duque is properly put into a more limited role next year, most likely Darren Oliver-esque. I know Jennings and Garcia have both been injured on and off this past season but of course they are rather young, interesting talent and inning eaters when healthy.
I personally like Jennings as the better fit.
This would also obviously mean that Pelfrey and/or Humber would have been traded for that ace we are seeking for. Or if they weren’t traded give them extra time, if that need be the case.
Omar’s explanations and excuses were an embarrassment to the organization. The past week the organization took huge strides backwards.
I know Reyes is a fan favorite but it may be the best time to try to deal him. He has al the talent in the world but may lack the intangibles to be a winner. It pains me to say it but he will never be a Jeter type even though has posseses more talent. If we can get the best pitcher in baseball in Santana for him and Pelfrey then we must do it. A player like Reyes can be more easily replaced while a pitcher of Santanas caliber is not. Ifr we dont include Reyes in a deal with the Twins we wont get him. Teams like the Dodgers have better prospects to offer but no one like Reyes who is locked up for a cheap price for a number of years. I would however insist on negotiating with Santana before making a deal. Offer him 8 yrs at 30mil (240). Whatever it takes he would be worth it.
I just don’t get the point of these interviews. He admits to nothing being wrong between Willie and Bernazard, makes execues for players not running out ground balls, and says “You know what I mean” about a 100 times during the interview. I heard him on WFAN at work then on the way home on Michael Kay. When I got home I turned on Daily News Live on SNY and there he was again. And in each interview he really said nothing. But what is he really going to say? He’s not going to throw anyone under the bus. I just hope Omar looks in the mirror, as Willie, every coach and player should do, and realize what he contributed to this historic collapse. He says he doesn’t make trades for the sake of making trades. Then please explain to me why he traded Brian Bannister for a “hard throwing” guy like Ambriorix Burgoes when he had hard throwing Matt Linstrom and Henry Owens. He traded the later for soft throwers Jason Vargas and Adam Bostick. Yeah I know they are lefties but never the less. I like Omar but he should be held just as accountable as anyone if the Mets get off to a bad start next year.
I am sick and tired of Omar and Willies bull comments. Omar should of come out today and said that these situations/immaturities will NEVER happen again. That next season this team will be focused and will give 100 percent every night and that nothing else will be tolerated. Next season this team better show us that they want it. Not sort of want it, not win the division, they need to show us they will bleed for us and Willie better grow as a manager. Willie better come out next season with fire in his eyes. I can’t stand timid managers and after he let this team completely fall apart I can’t see how they can bring him back. If Reyes has another season like this,, you may have ruined the most exciting player in our history. GET THE RIGHT COACHES/MANAGERS……
THIS IS OUR,,,NOT YOURS OMAR,, LAST SEASON AT SHEA, AND WE DESERVE A TEAM TO COME OUT AND LAY IT ALL ON THE LINE. NO MORE DANCING , NO MORE NONSENSE,…
look if you can’t get santana. i would like to go after noah lowry of he giants, and the guy i would definetly trade for: young,cheap,flamethrower: his name is zack greinke.
How about signing Jason Jennings or even Freddy Garcia to a one year incentive based contract?
[...] presented some quotes of an Omar Minaya interview shortly after the Mets lost the NL East. I like this one: I have always [...]
Ed Coleman touched on it briefly on the air, the other morning.