Wilpon Vs. Alderson Blame Game Rages On

As the Mets have devolved over the last four years, fans have searched for answers.  Although the Bernie Madoff scandal was public, the aftereffects as they related to the team's ownership group never were.  As a result, the debate of who was to blame for the team's ever diminishing payroll is often split between the Wilpons and Sandy Alderson, who conveniently took the team's GM spot about the same time.

Despite that fact that today should have been the high point (with the exception of resigning David Wright) over the past four years, today was no different.  In the fog of war following the confirmation that the Mets had signed Curtis Granderson to a 4 year, $60 million dollar contract, WFAN's Mike Francesa stated on air that Sandy Alderson held firm with a three year offer to Curtis Granderson and that it was the Wilpons who went over his head to add the fourth guaranteed year.

Immediately those within the fan base took the airwaves that Francesa's statement proves that Alderson is at fault for organization's downfall.  Then...this:

A person involved in the process said the final decision on adding the fourth year belonged to Alderson.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) December 6, 2013

Look, I honestly don't know who is right anymore.  I find it hard to believe that any general manager wouldn't spend every red cent (within reason) offered to him by his owners.  With that said, I'm not blind enough to think that Alderson hasn't low-balled people in the past.  Now was that because its his financial philosophy or because he didn't have the money to offer?  We'll probably never know for sure, but one thing I do know is that today was a rare good day for the Mets, so lets not ruin it for each other.

David Wright Is Going To Be Disappointed

Late yesterday afternoon, David Wright spoke with Mike Francesa about the current offseason and the future of Wright's career in general.  Wright explained to the Radio Pope that he remains expectant of a big winter and acknowledged that its been somewhat of a slow start.  Wright hopes to see the Mets add offense to compliment their already deep starting pitching.

You'll recall that a big part of the supposed reason he chose to sign an extension with the team last winter was a "plan" for improvement that would see the Mets turn into contenders.  However, he did say yesterday that he never really gave real thought to leaving the organization.  A bluff during a contract negotiations?!? Who would've thought...

In the long run, Wright said he greatest accomplishment was to be named Captain of the team.  Also, despite what has already been a fairly successful career, one in which Francesa himself said Wright could flirt with the Hall of Fame, he ultimately wants to be remembered as the leader of a winning team. 

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Wright remains my favorite current player, but I fear he's going to find himself disappointed.  Empty aspirations and hollow promises from the team's front office may have painted a much rosier picture than the future actually holds and a get the impression Wright contract may eventually be cost restrictive to improvement as time goes on.  A lot will have to change for the Mets to be perennial winners during Wright's tenure, which currently has just seven years left on the clock.