Quote: Willie on Off-season, and Next Season
…from what i understand, Willie Randolph will have lunch with his team’s beat reportersthis afternoon, as he has done during past Winter 
Meetings…i’m sure our favorite beat writers will provide a variety of interesting and stories and quotes from the lunch…
Meanwhile, Randolph talked with reporters while in the lobby of the Winter Meetings a few moments ago, and essentially said…
Lastings Milledge will be a good player, but needs to work ‘across the board,’ on offense, defense, base-running, ‘awareness for the game,’ ‘feel for the game,’ and developing a winning attitude, adding, “We see things you guys don’t.” The Mets are built to win now, and while some organizations can be patient with young players, as far as making mental mistakes and maturing, it’s a lot to ask of a young guy to be perfect in that respect, especially while playing in pennant race in New York City. ‘You cannot make mistakes when you’re trying to win a championship.’ Milledge may develop that ‘winning attitude,’ but he didn’t show it during his time in New York, and ‘you can’t be blinded’ by one asset of the guy’s game, ‘winning attitude matters in big situations.’
Jose Reyes just slumped at the wrong time last year, ‘that’s what it boils down to.’ He has talked to him about how the season ended. he went in to a ‘funk,’ and ‘picked the wrong time to go through a real tough growing pain,’ and he couldn’t find the rhythm and confidence to get on his game. Reyes learned a lesson last year, and will be better for it, noting that ‘he’ll be more determined next year.’
Ryan Church will have the opportunity to compete for starting jon in right field during spring training.
The team does not need to make an acquisition just for the sake of making an acquisition, as ‘that does nothing for a team,’ plus ‘you might regret that later.’
He has talked to most of his players by phone, and neither he nor them are harping on last year. They are eager to start fresh and are all looking forward to a good start.
Yesterday, SNY’s Matt Yalloff talked yesterday with Randolph about 2008, his memories of 2007, and the future of Milledge.
To watch the two-minute chat, go to SNY.
