Good morning! I trust you’ve digested the pair of financial stories. Rich Sandomir does a tremendous job on A1 of the New York Times detailing the perks owners could receive for a minority ownership stake, from quality time with Mr. Met to access to luxury suites that would otherwise be occupied by Lady Gaga. And the New York Post reported that the Mets will shut down a minor league team in the Gulf Coast League to save some money.
Short take on these: the Sandomir story lays bare just how little the team has to offer a prospective minority buyer. The Post story reinforces that while the Mets are cutting costs at the major league level, they are also cutting costs below, not reinvesting that money. Nothing new, per se, but both provide illuminating details about the crisis. Sandomir, in particular, is fantastic on those details.
But the big story yesterday was about the team’s interest in Eric Young, Jr. The rumored deal would send Justin Turner to Colorado.
Let’s be clear: this is a win for the Mets if it happens. A simple comparison of skills makes this obvious.
Eric Young Jr.: ability to play second base, all three outfield spots at below-average levels, speed, patience
Justin Turner: ability to play second base, third base at below-average levels, small amount of power
Don’t know about you, but I’ll take the first set of skills over the second, especially given the team’s lack of backup outfield options, and David Wright at third base.
2 Comments
Howard,
I usually agree with most of what you write but don’t think Eric Young for Justin Turner is any kind of win for the Mets. Patience??? Turner has 470 career ABs and 44 walks. Young has 427 and 47 walks. Not much difference there. Turner’s career OPS is 666 while Young’s is 619. I’ll take Turner over Young.
Turner, middling as he seems to be, at least offers some grit and exuberance. As of now, the only one offering that is the feisty little manager.