Jeff Wilpon To Blame For Mets Radio Shakeup

There was some pretty significant backlash when it was recently reported that WOR Radio, the new radio home of your New York Mets, was looking to break up the radio broadcast team as they made the transition from WFAN to WOR this spring.  Now it would appear that team ownership may be the one to blame, with Howard Megdal of Capital New York reporting that its actually Jeff Wilpon who is making a push replay Josh Lewin with an ex-player in the booth for this upcoming season. You may recall seeing recently that either Cliff Floyd or Darryl Hamilton are possibilities for the spot.

This reeks of desperation in my opinion as Jeff Wilpon looks to levy some sort of control on the franchise.  The disappointing thing is that the team's broadcast groups, both television and radio, are amongst the most successful things about the franchise.  Breaking on of them up in what can only be an attempt to divert attention from a slumping offseason is unfortunate.  The notion of breaking up the team's radio broadcast team has  been met with unanimous opposition, yet here we sit waiting for one of the most clueless ownership groups in all of baseball to impose their will and rob the fan base of one of the few remaining positives about this organization.

WFAN's Joe Benigno Critical Of Matt Harvey's Social Life

Joe Benigno, WFAN's midday co-host, strapped on his high horse and set his verbal crosshair on Matt Harvey's nighttime activities with his supermodel girlfriend, Anne V. Benigno goes on to say that "Harvey has accomplished nothing" and basically infers that he doesn't deserve his new found celebrity.

Here's where I stand on this... Benigno has become a shell of himself. A talking head who plays second fiddle to his younger co-host. This was a ratings grab and nothing more. Unfortunately, its succeeded. Harvey took the baseball world by storm last summer and immediately cashed in on that stardom. Just as he does when he's on the mound, Harvey didn't exactly back down from the rant, posting the following on his twitter account:

@JoeandEvan very classy! Jealousy is a bad trait. #justdontwatchthen
— Matt Harvey (@MattHarvey33) December 18, 2013

Its worth nothing that Harvey also retweeted a rather colorful, if not vulgar, tweet from a fan that's just a hair too profanity laced for our filters. He promptly removed it, but the damage was done. Harvey will need to learn to manage the media, but his response in this instance was warranted. He's twenty-four years old, loaded, and has a future ex-trophy wife on his arm at all times. He needn't stay in hiding because he's injured. Benigno needs to get a grip on reality. Harvey is a superstar and he's here to stay.

Wright Thinks The Offseason Will Pick Up At The Winter Meetings

David Wright's "The Mets Are Mediocre At Best" media tour continued this afternoon when he appeared ESPN NY 98.7 Radio.  In what amounted to an identical interview to the one he had on WFAN 660 yesterday, Wright had the following to say:

- Sandy has some tricks up his sleeve for the Winter Meetings, when Wright believes the plan will start taking shape.
- Everyone knew the free agents prices would be high.
- Wright expects the team to be much better going into next season, so fans should "have faith".

The organization has been sucking the faith out of its fans for what amounts to the better part of a decade now.  Even those of us who still have some, don't have much.  With that said, the Mets have been more than vocal about their sticker shock this winter.  Perhaps, Wright should have let the front office in on the notion that prices would be sky high.

Finally, for what its worth, the MLB Winter Meetings will take place from December 9th thru the 12th in Orlando, FL.  This is usually when the offseason ramps up, however this winter has seen a slew of early action.  Perhaps Alderson does have a plan of actions, but I think its a better chance Wright is just hoping against hope that he wasn't swindled by the front office's presentation last winter when he reupped.

Wright remains a consummate professional, so it should come as no surprise that he said all the right things in these interviews.  However, I feel his pleas are falling on deaf ears with both the front office and the fans.

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.

Mets100

I was born in 1984. I became a Met fan in 1988 upon becoming a conscious human being. In 1987, the Mets began broadcasting their games on the radio station WFAN.  So...I have known no other station. In September it was reported that the Mets and the familiar confines of WFAN would be parting ways. This made me a bit sad as I would not hear the old jingle and the same voices that I had been hearing on all those summer vacation car rides and all those trips home from the baseball field. It was comfortable. It seemed the FAN never updated...and I like that.

With that said - it appears the Mets have found a new home. The Mets are closing in on a new deal with WOR 710 AM to be their radio home. This is a Clear Channel station (aren't they all?) and is affiliated with Z100,  and KTU, amongst others, to name a couple of stations in the tri-state area.

I think this is a good deal for the Mets. Aligning with a station that has links to some of the other more popular stations in the area can only do more to raise the profile of the organization and the players within in. Reportedly, the links to Z100 may also lead to more Citi Field concerts, such as Z100's annual Jingle-Ball concert series.

Additionally, and this would be a deal-breaker for me, it's reported that Howie Rose will follow the team to its new home. This is important as Howie has become as associated with the team, at least for me, as anyone has. I hope it will raise Howie's profile as well, as he is very deserving.