MLB: Mets Better Off Without A-Rod

New York Mets general manager Steve Phillips made his best off-season move to date on Monday the 13th. He didn’t make a blockbuster trade or sign a high profile free agent. That’s the day he withdrew from the A-Rod hunt. A move that proves what a brilliant GM Phillips really is.

Phillips who in arguably the best move in franchise history, brought Mike Piazza to Shea, could have possibly added free-agent Alex Rodriguez to what was already a World Series team.

Phillips as well as Mets co-owners Fred Wilpon and Nelson Doubleday believed that A-Rod, who is probably the best hitting shortstop to ever play the game, would have been a detraction from team unity. While A-Rod would have come at a high asking price, 200 million it was the other amenities, which Phillips deemed too costly.

Phillips stated that one of the requirements he received from Rodriguez’s agent Scott Boras was an office at Shea stadium (from which Rodriguez could work with his sponsors). But it doesn’t stop there. Boras also wanted the Mets to have billboards for A-Rod citywide, which would exceed the number of billboards currently, devoted to local heroes Piazza and Derek Jeter.

Boras also wanted a separate hotel suite, which might alienate A-rod from his teammates and be detrimental to team unity. And in what might have been the kicker, was Boras’ demand for a twelve-year contract with escape clauses, which would kick in every three years if certain escalator clauses were not met. Rodriguez could still opt out of his contract after seven years and become a free agent again, even if the Mets Paid the escalator clause.

Other reported requests were use of the Mets logo in marketing, a booth to sell A-Rod merchandise (hats, shirts, etc.) at spring training. In addition Boras wanted A-Rod to receive incentives if there was a rise in attendance and also a share of the TV/radio revenue. He also requested a private jet to be made available top Rodriguez 365 days a year.

While Boras denied that he asked for these amenities by saying “These are not issues. Alex’s issue is winning. We’re not demanding anything.” Phillips seems adamant against Rodriguez becoming a Met stating “Structure of the contract aside, it is the other stuff. I have serious reservations of a structure in which you have a 24 plus one man roster. I don’t think it can work. I can’t anticipate any change that would draw us back into it. It’s the right thing for the Mets.”

And it is the right thing for the Mets. While having A-rod certainly would have helped the Mets in the World Series. Not having A-Rod didn’t cause the Mets 4 games to 1. A lack of great pitching did.

The Yankees with Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez. Roger Clemens, and Andy Pettite have three aces on their pitching staff. The Mets just couldn’t counter. A third starter to go along with Al Leiter and Mike Hampton would have changed the face of the series.

Now facing the prospect of losing free agents Hampton and Rick Reed, the Mets need to concentrate on their pitching staff. By either re-signing Hampton and /or Reed, or bringing in a free agent like Mike Mussina.

Not signing Alex Rodriguez and bolstering their pitching staff, by re-signing their pitchers or through free agency is the only way to preserve the team unity and make another run at the World Series. And the only way to stave off division rivals the Atlanta Braves, who will be both hungry and healthy, next year.