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05/05/2003 Archived Entry: "Today's MLB News: Mets GM on Hot Seat"
Today's MLB News by Eric Gartman
Today's MLB News: Mets GM on Hot Seat- Rumors are swirling around Major League Baseball concerning the fate of Mets General Manager Steve Phillips. With the Mets off to a poor start, and having finished in last place in the NL East last year, most observers are saying its only a matter of time before the Mets let him go. Does Phillips deserve this fate? Let's examine his moves. After an anemic offense crippled the team in 2001, Phillips set out to add some punch. His biggest (no pun intended) move was acquiring Mo Vaughn from the Angels before the 2002 season. It was an expensive gamble. Vaugn had signed a six-year $80 million contract with the Angels in 1999. He had produced fairly good numbers in 1999 and 2000, but well below his level with the Red Sox in prior years. He missed all of 2001 with a biceps injury, and was overweight and out of shape. But Phillips needed some power, and traded for him. Not only was he to be paid $10 in 2002, but $15 million in 2003 plus the $8 million remaining of his signing bonus, $15 million in 2004, and a $14 million option for 2005. Vaughn was terrible for the first half of 2002, before posting some decent numbers in the second half. Still, 72 RBI's was not what the Mets had in mind. Even worse, the Mets are stuck with Vaughn and his huge contract until the end of 2004. I somehow doubt they will take his option in 2005. Phillips also traded for Brewers slugger Jeromy Burnitz for the 2002 season, taking his two year $20 million dollar deal with him. Burnitz was 33 years old in 2002, and his numbers had been declining a bit. But he managed 100 RBI's in 2001. The Mets could not have expected him to drop of to 54 RBI's in 2002, but acquiring an aging free swinger was not a good idea. Another expensive gamble that failed was Roger Cedeno. Phillips signed him to a large free-agent deal, but Cedeno regressed both offensively and defensively. Finally, signing former great David Cone has not worked out, and his ERA is near 7.
And there were also a couple of deals Phillips made that didn't work, but should have. Acquiring Robbie Alomar was a good move since he is the greatest second baseman of his era, and he was coming off a great year in Cleveland in 2001. But Alomar slumped badly in 2002. He may come back in 2003, but it will probably be too late to save Phillips. Cliff Floyd was signed in 2003, but has not produced yet, although he most likely will. The one bright spot for Phillips has been the signing of Tom Glavine, who leads the Mets with a 4-2 record. But for $117 million, the Mets are only 13-18. They will probably improve on that record, but not enough to compete. As for Phillips, the Mets would be right to let him go. He was shown a penchant for acquring old, expensive, and ultimately useless players. The Mets may not compete again until he is gone.
