Read: Financial calamity threatens future of Mets

Turning to our northern rivals, read Adam Rubin's appraisal of the New York Mets and the erosion of the Wilpons' hold on the franchise. [Link]

According to Rubin, Major League Baseball has retained a law firm specializing in bankruptcies as an independent adviser regarding the Mets, who are trying to raise about $200 million from minority investors. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has verified that the organization lost $70 million in 2011, partially due to a reported 12 percent tumble in stadium revenue, including a 20 percent drop in food, beverage and merchandise sales, the story says. Those numbers figure to plummet further as the Mets are expected to dwell in the National League East cellar. One luxury box owner cited in the piece says he's not only struggling to sell his suite, but can't give tickets away. The organization acknowledged taking out a $40 million short-term loan from Bank of America just to cover operations for 2012, on top of their mountain of dept, the story says.

Read the full piece at ESPNNewYork.com.

Comments

[Matt]

*giggle*

[bs]

time to talk to them about a possible trade for David Wright

[DPatrone]

Who cares about the Mets?

Phils like to sign Pierre on Minor League Deal per MLBTR.com

[oogie urbina]

Clout-- Just to follow up on Cardenas's defense: You're right-- he's awful 2396 chances with 87 errors (at 4 diff positions) However, Freddy Galvis is only slightly better. 68 errors in 2360 chances at shortstop only. Yet isn't Galvis thought of as being good with the glove?

[DPatrone]

Don't they already have Pierre in the form of Podsednik?

[CJ]

"Errors" is a terrible stat to measure defensive effectiveness.

[clout]

Re: Cardenas from last thread:

Beane's hand got forced because he signed Gomes. The 40-man was full up and he had to clear a spot.

I'm guessing he'd look to deal him for a young prospect who doesn't have to be placed on the 40-man. If he can't get one, he may pull Cardenas back and cut someone else who's more likely to pass thru waivers.

Cardenas is a very good hitter who's a very bad fielder. They've given up on him in the INF and are trying him in the OF now. Problem there is he doesn't hit HRs and doesn't have the range to play CF.

That makes him a non-power hitting corner OF with a bad glove. There aren't too many of those guys holding everyday jobs.

It's a shame because, even though he doesn't hit HRs, he's managed a career OPS of .780 (including .791 last season in Trip-A at age 23.)

The guy can flat-out hit and he doesn't strike out much. He'd hit .285 in MLB with a .350 OB.

[oogie urbina]

Read that article last night JW. If Selig wasn't Wilpon's best friend, the Mets would be run by MLB and be forced to sell. Maybe Mrs. Madoff can be a minority investor :) Wright will get traded, but I doubt to a division rival.

[MG]

DPatrone - Podsednik missed most of last year with the Iron Pigs due to various foot injuries. I wouldn't be surprised if he is done.

Amaro said all offseason he wanted to add speed off the bench. Pierre is that guy. He would be a decent fit as a 5th OF which means the bench would likely look:

Mini Mart
Schneider
Thome
Nix/Mayberry
Pierre

[CJ]

Yo, new thread.

[clout]

oogie: Great question. The answer is twofold:

1. Minor league infields can be pretty terrible and since the shortstop gets the most chances on fielding hit balls, he's bound to have the most errors. In the minors, especially low minors where your firstbaseman might not be skilled at scoops, errors can be misleading.

2. For a SS especially, range is at least as important as sure-handedness and arm strength. Plus surehandedness and throw accuracy (skills) tend to improve with experience, while range and arm strength (tools) are either there or not. Galvis has superb range and arm strength. Experience should reduce the errors.

If you look at good young shortstops over the years, you'll see their errors decline the longer they play. one who comes to mind is Shawon Dunston. he made 32 errors in his first year as fulltime player. Within 2 seasons it was down to 20 and then into the teens.

[Dan in Philly]

I know NT and all, but this really stinks for baseball.

[kuvasz]

Who in the hell is stupid enough to cough up millions for minority ownership of a poorly run team? When someone is willing to invest such amounts of money they ought to expect some say-so in the running of the club, but they won't get a chance, because the folks who ran the franchise into the ground still think that they are actually wizards of finance.