Dear Mr. Alderson,
We – the worldwide group of Mets fans – have gone through a lot. After two epic collapses in 2007 and 2008, we have patiently endured a slow and gradual rebuild that has essentially lasted six years.
First the “tear down” of “Los Mets” from 2009 through 2011. Then from 2012 through 2014 a gradual rebuild, focused on reducing payroll, adding young talent, and also developing the talent we already had in the farm system. It was for the long term “greater good” of the franchise and an ownership group that unfortunately is unable to finance a “large market” payroll in the largest market in the world.
We can certainly agree that the old ways of this Mets franchise did not work and – financial problems or not – things had to change.
We applaud you for your patience and a couple of very good trades during your first 4+ years on this job and understand that some moves over that time failed to work. It happens, but overall this looked like a very promising rebuilding. A team finally blessed with a strong farm system, a payroll with room for growth, and entering 2015, finally a strong nucleus of young talent that seemed major league ready and especially a young rotation looking like the envy of Baseball.
Of course, with contention, a “sit back & wait” approach isn´t as valid as during an extensive rebuilding. Yes, the injuries to a bunch of players, some key, has been a tough blow and it’s really stretched any depth that existed, beyond its limitations.
But it can´t be an excuse to just stand pat and let the team sink towards wherever it is that it’s sinking to.
You have used up our patience. It´s time to act. Or your legacy will forever be tarnished and remain incomplete and unfinished. And the dwindling number of patient and understanding Mets fans will approach just a scant few before this season is over.
There´s NO justification to keep running out an inept defensive team that doesn´t hit without doing something about it, day after day, sabotaging the young pitching you worked so hard to put together.
A solid defensive shortstop by trade is being forced to play third base. A young player, borderline capable of handling second or third base defensively, is forced to play an even more demanding shortstop. Some non-major leaguers with supbar hit and field tools have also played a lot at third base.
Furthermore, your veteran outfielder with the weak throwing arm is playing right field Your other veteran outfielder with the subpar range is playing in left field. Your center fielder is banged up and clearly in need of a two-week DL stint to recover, hopefully.
In a nutshell, your team needs help. And it needs help NOW before things spiral completely out of control.
If you don’t have the bats, at least Bring up better defensive fielders so at least basic plays are executed behind the extraordinarily good pitching. Put players into positions where they may succeed instead of setting them up for failure.
Finally, you need to think about whether this manager is still the right man to handle and guide your team. We’re talking about a manager who went 0-for-6 in making the playoffs in his two previous gigs (and his successors went a combined 4-for-6 in the seasons after). And so far, he´s now 0-for-4 as the Mets manager and is perhaps veering toward a fifth consecutive losing season – all on your watch.
Terry Collins may be a good soldier, and he’s no doubt been admirable during the rebuilding phase. But unfortunately he lacks the “winning aura” a young team needs from its manager.
Is Collins a good manager when it comes to handling a bullpen? Is he the right man to entrust your most valuable assets to, i.e. a young rotation for the ages? I think we both know the answer to that. It’s time for a new voice with a vision and message that will resonate with this young team.
Mr. Alderson, it´s on you to consider some – if not all – of these things I mention, and to turn this thing around. No more excuses. Accountability. It’s time to act and make the right moves and stop ignoring the obvious.
Give this team and its strong pitching a major league defense and try to upgrade the offense as well. This early to mid season collapse is unacceptable and could have been avoided. It’s not too late to right this ship and save this season, but it will require swift action and a firm commitment on your part.
With Hope,
A Mets Fan Base That Wants To Believe Again
