Comments on: Read: NYT on Mets Draft Strategy

By: BringBackDaveTelgheder

BringBackDaveTelgheder — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:28:17 +0000

Uh…Omar would rather have late picks then early. It probably is because he has no idea how to identify top talent.

By: barrylyons

barrylyons — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:23 +0000

Yes exactly my point. The theory that people are trying to lay out here is almost suggesting that the Mets are the only big market team. Like you are pointing out, there are always there other big spending teams (everyone but the Mets apparently) willing to drop the cash who will again have picks that follow the Mets.

By: barrylyons

barrylyons — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:46:38 +0000

Well sir, in this case you are allowed to speak for me, since you basically explained it exactly how I would have.

Like you said, i’m not saying the Mets do everything perfectly, just say there is alot of piling on, and selective examples being presented to exxagerate the points bashing the Mets.

By: VCarver

VCarver — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:35:15 +0000

No prospect is going to drop above-slot demands just because the Mets may be conservative with the money. Why should he if the Red Sox, Yankees and all the other supposedly big spenders are willing to go over slot?

The premise doesn’t make any sense.

By: VCarver

VCarver — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:32:00 +0000

I can’t speak for barrylyons, but I think he is saying there is a lot of exaggeration going on about the Mets and their draft strategy. They may not be the model to follow, but they are certainly getting an unfair amount of criticism for the money they do spend.

Their poor farm system has more to do with poor strategy (ie, not being able to offer arbitration to their creaky old vets to get picks back) and poor selections than penny pinching in the draft.

Per round, in terms of where in the draft they do pick, the Mets are about average in their spending. There are some big market teams that do not spend significantly more than the Mets. This was shown in a chart that Toby Hyde did after this year’s draft.

By: VCarver

VCarver — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:24:57 +0000

Exactly, barrylyons. In the context of the current draft and how it works, that statement makes no sense.

When I first read that a few weeks ago, I questioned the statement (though not under the original post as Matt had closed comments for it by the time I saw it).

If a player is going to ask for more, what the Mets do is irrelevant since supposedly, according to the Mets critics, every other team in baseball, if not all, are willing to go over slot. So that prospect theoretically will have plenty of takers if he is any good.

Sounded to me like just more dumping and piling on the Mets and their farm system when they are down. If they won the WS this year, half of the crap being spewed out there wouldn’t see the light of day.

By: davidus1

davidus1 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:19:06 +0000

Im not really understanding where your arguments are coming from? Are you suggesting that the Mets approach to the draft is the best approach?

Going over slot is not about the first round. Its about the 5th round. Its about drafting a guy who is commited to a top baseball college and saying “I’ll give you $1 million” to change your mind. Its about taking a guy who would otherwise have been a top 10 pick and getting him in the later rounds.

Forget the first round. Go take a look at how many 7 figure deals other teams have given to players outside of the first round. Then you will find who the true spenders are.

The Mets on the other hand are notorious from walking away from top talents over differences as small as $100k.

By: davidus1

davidus1 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:15:20 +0000

Yes, but now you are talking about 5-7 teams that might be a match instead of 30 teams. Now assume there are 5-7 guys like that in every draft class who want the big bucks. One of those top talents will slip to you in a later round.

By: Ceetar

Ceetar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:07:56 +0000

Personally, I think it’s rare that it does have an impact, I’m just laying out the theory.

It depends on where those above-slot teams are drafting, and if they have an interest in a player. these things all get worked out to death, so if the Mets are looking for a RF but the other teams willing to bid above slot are looking for a pitcher or a catcher, maybe the interest isn’t as high in the first round.

Next year is where it may make a difference because the Mets have a higher pick due to Manuel’s mismanaging and their injuries.

By: Hit The Weights Zeile

Hit The Weights Zeile — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:52:11 +0000

This and the fact that our 1st round pick is secured are reasons why we should look to fill our holes through free agency not trade (yes i would love halladay but if we sign lackey instead id be just as happy). If we sign holliday and 2 SP and a catcher we’d be fine. Any trades for bullpen or bench help would be minor and thus not effect our overall farm system since I doubt Ike Davis is going anywhere for a LH pinch hitter.