Breaking News: Mets Fire Randolph
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Tue, June 17, 2008 07:37 AM | Comments: 106
Posts
The Mets fired Manager Willie Randolph very early Tuesday morning. Randolph led the Mets to mediocrity this season, a year after faltering down the stretch with the NL East lead, allowing the Phillies to win the division on the last day.
Bench Coach Jerry Manuel will take over as manager. Pitching Coach Rick Peterson and First Base Coach Tom Nieto were also dismissed.
The news came at 3:15 a.m.
I feel pretty bad for Randolph, especially given the time of the dismissal. They couldn’t do it at 9 a.m.? Randolph aside, the move and the timing of it shows General Manager Omar Minaya is trying to send a cold message to the rest of his team. But how will the Mets respond?
Well, speaking of responses, Matt Cerrone at MetsBlog.com “feels dirty” being a fan the way the whole thing went down. He says he’s being mocked by fans of other teams for the dismissal:
“Nevertheless, the Mets took so long to make this decision that it made them look foolish, classless and disorganized.”
They needed a shakeup, absolutely, but was Randolph the right fall guy? I don’t think so.
Posts: 0 Jeffrey
Happy as I am to see the Mets in turmoil, Randolph is too classy a guy to be cast on to the garbage heap in the middle of the night.
Posted: 08:38 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Dan C.
has Billy Wagner made a stupid comment about the firing yet?
Posted: 08:44 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I can’t believe that Randolph is taking the fall on this one. I actually think he was a good coach. He’s coaching the wrong team. Who would want to coach a bunch of overpaid primadonnas?
Posted: 08:59 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
What a cowardly, gutless move by mets management. fly him out to the west coast, then wait until after the game to fire him. thats typical new york behavior.
randolph got stuck with that clubhouse, which is filled with THE most overpaid, lazy players in baseball. oliver perez was the pirates ace but has since regressed upon his arrival to the mets. delgado, beltran, alou (why on earth does he still play), castillo, the catchers. all lazy overpaid bums who have regressed in ability since coming to new york. santana, wagner, maine, and some others are fine but they are quiet and outnumbered by the rest of them.
randolph isnt a mean guy so asking him to manage that is like throwing him to the wolves. omar minaya should have been the fall guy. the mets need to blow itup and rebuild younger.
Posted: 09:06 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Greg V.
I think Randolph deserves better. The Mets are an older team and are playing like a .500 team and not a championship calibur team. Randolph was not really the problem. Given younger guys to work with would have been more appropriate. The team just needs to rebuild.
But whatever. The Mets are suffering and to me, that is always a good thing.
Posted: 09:14 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Good point, Geoff. They flew him out with the team, then didn’t even wait until the end of the series to can him. They knew all along they were firing him; Minaya and Co. were given the green light to fire him and went out too. Incredibly gutless.
Posted: 09:19 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Billy Wagner
I am the greatest baseball player of all time. Willie just held me back from my own greatness. I am the greatest baseball player of all time. Willie is a bad person, he pushes old ladies and sells decapitated birds to blind children. I am the greatest baseball player of all time. Hopefully everyone will come to their senses and make me the manager, starting pitcher, and closer. Oh did I mention that I am the greatest baseball player of all time
Posted: 09:21 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Jose Reyes
No Billy, I’m the greatest ball player of all-time!!! Willie sucked as a manager. Are you kidding me? That prick benched my ass for not hustling. He should have been fired for that bullshit. Now that Willie is gone we are “The Team To Beat.”
Posted: 09:31 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 NYC PIMP DaDDy
You Phillies fans are fags. with your sissy comments above
Posted: 09:32 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
NYC PIMP DaDDy…First of all what a dumb way to type out daddy. Are you 12? Second of all, do you guys think you’re going to win a world series now that Willie is gone? He was the only one in that organization that had any heart. The players certainly don’t. They just care about getting paid. And seriously who says sissy? You must be 12. You can say pussy, it’s okay. We can take it.
Posted: 09:35 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Jose Reyes
NYC PIMP DaDDY is actually my friend Carlos Delgado. I know dis because dat’s his nickname on his myspace page.
Posted: 09:40 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Agreed that Minaya is the loser that put this group of OLD….beat up…overpaid….lazy……has beens together. He’s the one that should fired. I mean….if you look at this team without Santana no one would have picked them to win the NL East and Santana can’t turn a whole team’s mindset around.
Although, I think firing Randolph will help the Mutts in the long run and they will at least make a run for the NL East.
Posted: 09:48 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
well..look what bottom-feeding cochroach crawled out of the woodwork. typical new york, low-class behavior.
Posted: 09:48 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Omar Minaya
This was all a big misunderstanding. I wanted to fire Willie weeks ago. Someone has to take the blame and since I have such a wonderful track record (I traded Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee AND Grady Sizemore for a rental of Bartolo Colon) then someone else had to be blamed. It’s not my fault. YouknowhatIsaying? YouknowhatImean? I had to hire a Latin manager in order to make my plan complete. The reason we’re not winning is cuz our owner doesn’t know how to relate to the Latin players. YouknowwhatIsaying? YouknowhatImean?
Posted: 09:53 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Omar…….just keep working your magic. We love it down here in Philly.
Posted: 09:55 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 AP
What a jerk move. Seems like they were gonna fire this guy anyway..why do it 3000 miles away from home?!
Posted: 09:57 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 AP
But yeah, screw the Mets otherwise.
Posted: 09:58 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Todd
hey now… I’m a native NYer and I’m a phils fan. I can’t deny the low class scum we have here…. but uh, i’ve been to philly. not much better there, slick…
Posted: 10:04 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Julie
Who am I going home with? One cheesesteak or two? These are acceptable decisions to make at 3 AM. Should we fire the manager of our multimillion $ baseball club? Not a good decision to make at 3 AM. Low class.
Also, I reckon there can only be one Manuel in the NL east. I think Charlie and Jerry should have it out.
Posted: 10:07 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Which SP would you prefer the Phils REALISTICALLY acquire? According to various reports, these are the SP that will or could be available based on teams standing a month from now. Pick a top 3.
Sheets
Wolf
CC
Harden
Blanton
Bedard
Grienke
Pedro :)
Maddux
Burnett
Lowe
Cook
Posted: 10:13 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Add Harang and Arroyo to that list.
Posted: 10:14 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
Of those, I will be realistic and say that we don’t have the prosepcts for Bedard or C.C. The Royals made it know that Greinke is available but only if they’re “floored” with an offer. Wolf had made it known he wants nothing to do with Philly. Burnett and Pedro are free agents at the end of the year but their teams should be in pennant races. So that leaves two injury risks, Sheets and Harden, and Blanton, Lowe and Cook. Cook is pitching way over his head and I believe he signed a multiyear deal before this season. The A’s are still in the wild card hunt and are asking alot for Blanton. So that leaves the guy I would choose. Derek Lowe. he’s a sinkerballer so maybe it’ll work.
Posted: 10:17 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Brooks
This will be fun to see who does the spanking come early July.
If I did not have tickets on the 11th already, I would be a little nerved as to why this entire weekend series does not include a fireworks display? Why the wait until the following Wednesday (vs Cards) and also Friday (D’backs) for the big show?
Posted: 10:17 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
Harang. I forgot about him. I pick Harang, good call Gavin.
Posted: 10:20 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Griff….great points. Plus looking at all of those guys that are available……which ones DONT have a history with injuries? Most of them do, CC and Bedard are consistently healthy.
I would go with my top 3 wishes….probably unrealistic.
1) CC
2) Sheets
3) Harden
The top3 possibles I think are:
1) Bedard – I know it will take Cardenas, Golson, and at least one of our best young arms…..but I just have a feeling that it will happen. Just a hunch.
2) Grienke – I think this could be a steal. I dont think the Royals will kill us by taking too many of our young studs.
3) Wolf – I think Wolf would be willing to come back to Philly if they are out of it and we’re heading to play in Oct.
Posted: 10:23 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Yea, now that I think about it….Harang makes alot more sense than Wolf. I think Wolf pissed Gillick and Co. off last offseason and they probably wont even ask about him. The Phils seem to make alot of deadline deals with the Reds.
Posted: 10:25 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
After hearing his manager say that bedard is programmed to throw 100 pitches and is useless after that, im a little scurred off.
the easiest option does seem to be derek lowe. hes old, but as a sinkerballer at CBP ill bet hed resign with us knowing that CBP will add a few more years to his career. I wonder if we have what it takes for harang..i doubt it, i think cinci wants top haul for him which we dont have. I wonder who costs more, harden or blanton? harden hasnt been healthy so i would serouisly give up a C grade prospect for him. burnett i like, but he has a checkedred injury history too. plus if toronto is afraid hell walk with an 11mm salary the phillies wont touch that. hed be a rental.
wish list:
1 – CC (not happening)
2 – sheets or harden (whichever guy is healthy in two weeks) – could happen but dont want to give up too much for a guy with injury history especially if they arent going to resign
3 – derek lowe (WINNER) – i think this is our man here, we can resign him easily i think.
bonus – man it would be nice to get aaron harang though.
Posted: 10:31 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
arroyo would be a disaster at CBP. era of over 6 would be my guess.
Posted: 10:32 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Harang would be AMAZING to pick up.
Posted: 10:33 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
Walt Jocketty, the former Cardinals GM is now with the Reds and I’m trying to think of any deals with the Cardinals that we’ve made in recent years. The Ron Gant/Jeff Brantley for Ricky Bottalico trade was in ’97 or ’98 and obviously the Scott Rolen deal.
I wonder what the Reds would ask for Harang? Does a package of Cardenas/Golson and something else get it done or would they insist on Carrasco or Savery as a starting point?
Posted: 10:34 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
The Phils would have to give up at least Cardenas, Golson, and a pitching prospect.
Harang is only 30, but he has pitched over 210 innings the last 3 years. We know how that can wear down a pitcher. (See Freddy G) He’s a K machine and would do well at CBP. Hell it aint any worse than GAB in Cincy.
Posted: 10:41 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Harang’s career stats.
Posted: 10:41 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
My bad.
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/stats/individual_stats_player.jsp?playerID=421685&statType=2
Posted: 10:43 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Actually showing you can consistently go 200 innings a season usually means you’re in good enough shape as a pitcher to continue doing it.
Posted: 10:43 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
He’s a huge dude too. 6’7 275.
Posted: 10:44 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
yeah, people forget that Billy Beane gave up on him. He’s a beast, he would be GREAT for the Phils. Does anyone know his contractual status?
Posted: 10:47 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
I just want to use this time to say that Ryan Church is an asshole. He was a jerk when he played for the Harrisburg Senators, and he’s an even bigger jerk now.
Posted: 10:55 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
He’s signed thru 2010.
Contract:
signed 4-year deal worth $36.5M thru 2010 season on 2/6/07- + he receives salaries of $4.25M on 2007, $6.75M in 2008, $11M in 2009 and $12.5M in 2010- + the deal includes a team option for 2011 worth $12.75M or a $2M buyout- + the value of the option rises to $13M with 210IP in 2010- + the option becomes a mutual option if he is traded the value of the option also rises to $14M against a $2.5M buyout- + 2006 salary: $2.35, 2005: $440K
Agent: Sam and Seth Levinson
Posted: 10:58 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Jose Reyes
Mike T…….why? What did he ever do to you? Just cuz he cant play when he has a headache dont mean he a jerk.
Posted: 10:59 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
I dont think cinci will give him up unless theyre blown away. theyll give up arroyo for some prospects as well as griffey and dunn. theyre building for the future. harang is still not 30 so i think theyll want to be overwhelmed. golson, cardenas, carrasco plus at least one more prospect. hes a 4 or 5 prospect talent. youre talking about a strikeout machine who can be the stabilizing force for your rotation for years is he stays healthy.
is it worth it? you will have to give up the farm for him. theyre going to need golson to come up in a year or two. carrasco is going to be relied upon next year and theyll need him. lou marson is your catcher of the future. joe savery is cy young talent that is behind in his development because of injuries in the past.
those guys should be untouchable. harang or not. thats the future core of your team. cant do it. or you could trade shane victorino within the national league and hope it doesnt bite you in the ass for 10 years…
they can afford to give up perhaps bastardo, cardenas, swindle, happ, and some others. theyre in a toufh position. they need another solid starter but they really dont have enough expendable prospect talent to get CC or someone that good.
the indians and every other team knows the phillies arent going to trade golson, savery, carrasco, marson. thats why they probably wont answer the phone when gillick calls unless he informs them hes broken on that stance.
Posted: 11:01 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike T.
So what would we give up for Lowe then?
Posted: 11:04 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
Any players on the 25 man that you’d give up in the deal? Ruiz? Obviously we could live w/o SoTag, but you’re right ………….they would have to give up alot. Harang could be a stud for another 6/7 years or so though. I’d trade Cardenas/Golson/Happ/Outman for him. Thats as far as I’d go.
Posted: 11:05 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
For Lowe? I’d only give up one guy that looks like a solid big leaguer. They dont need any OF. They need a replacement for Kent soon. Cardenas would have to be in the deal. After him….if they wanted a stud, I’d tell them to goto hell. No pitchers in the deal unless its someone we dont even know about down in Clearwater or the Iron Pigs.
Posted: 11:07 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Gavin
I dont know how much of an upgrade Lowe would be for us?
Posted: 11:11 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
I’d give up some of the key farm guys to get Harang. That guy with Hamels would be an incredible 1-2 punch leading the staff. Make sure you keep Carrasco. They might want Werth because Dunn and Griffey are gone. Jay Bruce is their CF. They won’t ask for Victorino. They’re a power bats kind of team in that ballpark. Werth is a power bat. They don’t need Cardenas honestly. Brandon Phillips is a great player.
Posted: 11:17 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
I agree that Harang would be worth if I we could get him at the right price. I’d hate to give up those two stud pitchers (Carrasco and Savery).
As far as Ryan Church goes I hate him b/c when he was with the Nats in 2006 they took 2 of 3 from the Phils late in the year in Washington. He said that the Phillies fans were the worst and that all he wanted was to knock the Phillies out of the playoffs. Also, he’s an anti-semetic piece of trash.
Also, he’s a Met. So I hate him.
Posted: 11:27 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Rob
If i am not mistaken Harden is also under team control for another 2-3 years. If the phils actually have a Doctor look at his arm and give a thumbs up, I would make the trade. Harden might be the best pitcher in the league when healthy. I know that is a HUGE when, but still he is only 27 i think. I would part with any of our prospects but Cardenas, solely because when Howard walks we can move Utley to 1st and bring up Cardenas for 2nd. I am thinking Golson, Carrasco and Kendrick. But considering this is billy beane that may be to low. Also has anyone been paying attention to Marson in AA, he is laying down the law down there.
Posted: 11:42 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
The reds could move cardenas to shortstop because im sure by the time hes ready hell be better than jerry hairston jr.
golson could be used in their OF to add youth and speed alongside jay bruce.
a big problem is a lot of these asshole GM’s overvalued their own trade candidates. memo to billy beane: NOONE will give you three A prospects for joe blanton or even rich harden. thats insane. ill bet beane still gets a good haul though just nothing that extreme.
carrasco will be in our rotation next year. out man is nice but they moved him to the bullpen stating hes clearly not good enough to be a starter. bullpen guys are automatically more expendable than starters obviously. ja happ isnt going to be a great major leaguer either.
happ.outman.golson.cardenas is a nice package. i dont think theyre gionng to touch golson though, i really dont. theyll have to put two lesser guys in there to replace him.
they already are thin in their OF depth beyond the top 4 guys.
i agree that LA needs an infielder more than cincinatti. kent is old and furcal is like 31 so hes not exactly young.
Posted: 11:43 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Marson reminds me of a Joe Mauer type. Kendrick is definitely acceptable in a trade if we’re getting an ace in return.
Posted: 11:44 AM on June 17, 2008
Posts: 0 Phil
Maybe we can get Lowe and Harang. haha
Posted: 11:46 AM on June 17, 2008