This is Why the Mets’ Front Office Sucks

Some of the moves the Mets in recent history have made have been just flat out confusing (who signs a 32-year-old 2nd baseman, whose been on the decline, with TERRIBLE knees to a 4 year deal?) But that is not even what I am talking about. Their treatment of young players is just horrendous. Just look at the Health Bell situation. Couldn’t make up their mind on what to do with a young kid with talent which caused his results to suffer. He finally gets a STEADY role with the Padres and becomes and All-Star closer.

In present times they are just making themselves look silly. Just about a week ago we got the humorous story about how great New York Mets’ front office communication is. This story just hit home for me. As a Met fan I try to stay positive, support the team, and ignore the public perception of them but they make it near impossible. How can a GM and manager be so far apart on the outlook of the team and make comments like this just hours apart? It really makes you question if anybody knows what they are doing.

Mets Have Worst Scouting Director in MLB?

Andy Seiler did a ranking of all the scouting directors in Major League Baseball for his blog MLB Bonus Baby. You are never going to guess who came in at #30 for last place…

30. New York Mets, Rudy Terrasas: I have to go with the director that was almost on the chopping block at the end of season in 2009. Terrasas is in a difficult predicament, having few resources and picking hit-or-miss players, making his job even more difficult. The few resources he’s given are sometimes wasted on players that have no future as Major League players. For that reason, he gets the last spot on the list.

Yes, the Mets have had bad drafts lately, but they are definitely not the worst scouting team in baseball. Since Rudy Terrasas took over the Mets have produced major leaguers in Kevin Mulvey, Joe Smith, Daniel Murphy, Tobi Stoner, and Eddie Kunz. Not to mention the 2008 draft that saw Ike Davis, Reese Havens, Brad Holt, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and Kyle Allen.

The Cardinals on the other hand since Jeff Lunhow have taken over have flopped 1st round picks Adam Ottavino, Tyler Herron, Mark Mccormick, and arguably Pete Kozma. The only draft picks that pop out to me are Chris Perez, Colby Rasmus, Mitch Boggs, and Tyler Greene. That is also with an extra year of drafting and much much more money to spend. Their last two drafts have looked a little better, but that is just because of top talents who fell to them (Shelby Miller and Brett Wallace). Somehow though they have found their found their way to #24 on the list.

The Mets are just always taking crap for their drafting, but if you look at their roster they have the homegrown talents of David Wright, Jose Reyes, Jon Niese, Mike Pelfrey, Angel Pagan, Bobby Parnell, Mike Jacobs, Fernando Martinez and Jason Bay went through the system even though he wasn’t drafted or signed by the Mets. Its the whole perception that the Mets farm sucks that makes people give them dead last rankings like this. I don’t see how a team that currently has a farm in the #13-18 range can have the worst scouting director in the league. If anyone can fill me in on how this makes sense it would be greatly appreciated.

Update: Look at this list. Anyone still care to say the Cardinals have a better scouting director.