Opinion: Unacceptable and Spending
In a report for Newsday, regarding the team’s media blitz on Monday, David Lennon explains 
why action, not words, are what matter most from the Mets right now.
I agree, 100 percent.
People keep asking why I have been so quiet in my response to Monday’s media tour. I’m quiet because I just don’t think what the Mets say in public matters at this point… and I no longer know what to believe.
It’s hard to take seriously a statement that labels poor results as ‘unacceptable,’ after which essentially every person responsible for the poor results is welcomed back… and that’s the thing, in the end, it’s all just language and window dressing, regardless of whether it is true or not… like Lennon says, now, for the Mets, it’s about action, not words.
The thing is, if the Mets are going to use big language, if they say they plan to spend and make trades and improve the roster, while using words like ‘unacceptable,’ then, guess what, they now have to follow through on those statements. Otherwise, the team will 
look like a bigger failure than it does right now.
Speaking of money, why do the Mets keep boasting, ‘We have one of the highest payrolls in baseball,’ which was repeated on several occasions this week, as if there is some special trophy for this ‘accomplishment.’ I would think, given the on-field results, payroll would be a source of embarrassment for the team, not a source of pride.
The Yankees are impressive. But, spending $200 million on payroll guarantees nothing, and, deep down inside, I believe most fans know this. Instead, I contend, while they may be impressed by the dollars being spent in the Bronx, most Mets fans know success is based on how you spend money, not how much you spend.
I hope the Mets understand this. I’m sure they do. But, emphasizing cost – and not the actual product – makes me fear they believe marketability, advertising and pre-season ticket plans are more important than on-field results; but, to Lennon’s point, in the end, these are all just words. True judgment will come on Opening Day and again next October, on field, and not in an off-season press conference… time to make things happen, gentlemen, just like you said you would.
By the way, to read more from Lennon, specifically how the team might already be lining up replacements for Minaya and Manuel, read his report, here.
