Mets must resist temptation

Updated: November 21, 2003, 12:31 PM ET
By Jerry Crasnick | ESPN Insider
It's time to dig into the Insider mailbag, as we wish Bill Singer best of luck in his new career as a Shea Stadium parking lot attendant.

Jerry,
I have one question: Why would the Mets be interested in a contract like A-Rod's? If the Mets are trying to reduce salary, why would they pay someone over $20 million a season and be locked in with him for at least six years? What would they then do with young phenom Jose Reyes? Look at what A-Rod did for Texas. He did well, but the team still finished in last place. The Mets should try to piece their team together by signing pitchers and people like Mike Cameron, who are in a different market (a cheaper market) In the past when the Mets have gotten big-market players, such as Alomar, they haven't done well and they were just a huge salary. -- Mike, New York

Mike,
The Mets entered this offseason looking to add pitching, defense and speed, and vowed to avoid overpriced free agents and spend their money more productively. Now Alex Rodriguez wants out of Texas, and it's full-throttle hysteria. The next few weeks will show if Fred Wilpon plans to let Jim Duquette execute a long-term vision for the team, or if the Mets are just going to react once more to talk-show and tabloid insanity. Does it really make sense, when your only young impact player is a shortstop, to go out and sign a $25 million shortstop who's already shown he can't do it alone? Not in my book. But when you're the No. 2 team in the biggest market in sports, there's always pressure to respond to public pressure rather than follow your own agenda.


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Jerry Crasnick | email

ESPN.com MLB Sr. Writer
  • ESPN.com senior writer
  • Author of "License to Deal"
  • Former Denver Post national baseball writer

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