The question I am about to ask if one that pains me to even strike the keys on the keyboard to type out, but as the Mets continue to pile up wins it is beginning to become a question that needs to be asked—is this unprecedented success the result of the new front office regime led by Sandy Alderson or a tribute to Omar Minaya actually being worth a damn as a G.M.?
Look at the facts of the situation, yes Alderson has become the face of this recent success but it was Minaya who brought all of these pieces into the organization. He just never had the chance to see these pieces through.
While we can rip him forever for two of the worst contracts in baseball history with Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez, we also have to praise him for bringing in R.A. Dickey, Matt Harvey, Wilmer Flores, Lucas Duda, and I guess even Ike Davis (although that is pending him realizing he can still actually hit a baseball).
Minaya saw something in Dickey that no one else did. Teams around the league laughed as the Mets bought in to a gimmick pitcher who was considered less than a poor-man’s Tim Wakefield. Except now they are not laughing, instead their jaw has hit the floor as Dickey has developed into the second most reliable pitcher in New York behind C.C. Sabathia.
Not only are most of the pillars of success on the major league level a result of Minaya’s work, but the main gripe towards him was his inability to discover young talent. However, the majority of the stud prospects who are populating the Mets farm system were all brought in by Minaya.
In reality, it was absolutely time for Minaya to go when he was given the boot after the 2010 season. But it may be time to change our perception of the guy who we always considering among the dumbest in N.Y. After all, he built a solid foundation which has the Mets future beginning to look very, very bright.
Let’s give credit where it is due.
