Mets - 2d world class choke in 2 seasons

[Gato es Verde]

If you're not following the storyline of the NY Mets - its like watching kittens drown.

Last year they blew a 7 game lead with 17 games to play. This year, they blew a 3 1/2 game lead with 17 games to lead.

Now they've lost 2 of 3 to the Cubs B-team - including a stunner tonite in the 10th inning. Runners on 3d 5 innings in a row and they can't score runs... just phenomenonally bad baseball.

[Beowulf]

It's called bullpen pitching. The Mets don't have any.

[DesertFox]

All I ever remember about the Mets anymore is that in the Eighties they literally had the worst team money could buy, going from first to worst in one season with the game's highest payroll.

[Timberwolf]

Soooo....Steinbrenner stole a page outta der playbook?

[Beowulf]

Soooo....Steinbrenner stole a page outta der playbook?

Steinbrenner's problem has been that he thinks he can continue with what I call "cherry picking." He looks at each team, finds out who the best player is and buys them. He did that with Giambi when he was in Oakland and A-Rod in Texas to name two. Money will buy talent but NOT team unity.
The glory of it is that the more they spend each year, the further away from success they fall.

Money says they buy Manny Ramirez this year and C.C. Sabathia.

Fact is, the success they had during the 90's was a direct result of a built up farm system. They should try that again. Problem is, the spoiled Yankee fans want titles NOW and aren't willing to rebuild like everyone else has too.

[Timberwolf]

Yuppers...that explains how the Twinkies are vying for the last playoff spot with one of the lowest payrolls in both leagues. They have an exceptional farm system.

[Republican_Legion]

Steinbrenner's problem has been that he thinks he can continue with what I call "cherry picking." He looks at each team, finds out who the best player is and buys them. He did that with Giambi when he was in Oakland and A-Rod in Texas to name two. Money will buy talent but NOT team unity.
The glory of it is that the more they spend each year, the further away from success they fall.

Money says they buy Manny Ramirez this year and C.C. Sabathia.

Fact is, the success they had during the 90's was a direct result of a built up farm system. They should try that again. Problem is, the spoiled Yankee fans want titles NOW and aren't willing to rebuild like everyone else has too.

The problem goes even deeper with the Yankees.
Yankee farm system is way overated compared to the strong farm system of Boston/Anaheim who are big spenders but have made the farm system a huge priority.

I'll start with Ian Kennedy. Ian Kennedy was so highly touted by the media they made it seem like he would be #1 or #2 starter and it turns out he has only a 87-90 MPH fastball and is looking more to be projected as a #5
Phill Hughes looks more like a #3 in his future than a #1 because of his control and health issues. Even guys with good stuff like Hughes end up being #3s or #4s because they cant keep control of their stuff at the MLB level. AJ Burnett is a fine example of a guy with really good stuff but never lives up to his potential because of health and control issues.

Yankees farm system hasnt produced future studs like Boston or Anaheim.
Boston: Lester, Bucholz, Ellsbury, Lowrie, Papelbon, Pedroia, Masterson, Youkilus, Varitek etc.
Anaheim: Napoli, Saunders, Santana, Lackey, K-Rod, Wood, Sean Rodiquez, Kendrick etc.

The Mets also have imported players to fix a failed farm system.

[Beowulf]

RL, Varitek was acquired in a trade from the Seattle Mariners but your point has been otherwise well made. I'll replace his name with another good Sox farm product, Manny Delcarmen, who has given us some solid middle relief over the last few years as well as a good spot closer. I just wish we could have kept a few guys we traded too that we developed, like Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins.