Mets owners too weak to stand their ground with Beltran
By Joe Noa
A new day
Following the 2018 season, the Amazins hired former super-agent Brodie Van Wagenen to replace Sandy Alderson as General Manager. BVW quickly established a change in the clubhouse culture by taking care of the players while holding them accountable so they can produce.
Van Wagenen went ahead and traded for Robinson Cano‘s bloated contract, and star closer, Edwin Diaz, from Seattle, for a promising prospect Jared Kelenic. It was controversial because there seemed to be a conflict of interest. BVW was Cano’s agent before becoming GM.
He signed Wilson Ramos and blew off the extra year of control on Pete Alonso. That turned out to be a great call as Alonso won the 2019 National League Rookie of the Year Award. The GM traded for JD Davis who turned into a bright polished gem. Look for Davis to get much more playing time either at the third base of leftfield next season.
Unfortunately, both Jueryls Familia and Edwin Diaz were total busts in the bullpen. Hopefully, 2020 will see them both fighting for the Comeback Player of the Year award
With the blessing of the Amazin Nation, BVW gave manager Mickey Callaway his walking papers due to the latter’s horrendous on-field decisions. With all the potential candidates available, the Mets decided to bring Carlos Beltran on board, another controversial pick because the former NYM star had no previous experience in the dugout.