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Fred: Wiill own Mets forever & Reyes was Sandy's decision


Despite his ongoing legal and financial woes, embattled principal owner Fred Wilpon said Monday that his family plans to own the Mets "for a very long time."

Speaking on a practice field at Digital Domain Park while the Mets went through their first full-squad workout of spring training, Wilpon said the sale of seven of a possible 12 minority stakes in the team worth $20 million apiece — which are expected to boost the team's operating cash flow and enable it to repay a $25 million loan to MLB — are currently in escrow awaiting closing. He also revealed that two of those shares will be purchased by members of his family and four by SNY.

"There shouldn't be concern about us owning the franchise…Whether (fans) are happy about that right now or not, I don't know,"
Wilpon said. "As long as I can, I plan to be the owner here."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/fred-wilpon-family-plans-ny-mets-a-long-time-legal-financial-woes-article-1.1029252#ixzz1ncSaS8Ds

Still, the Mets' payroll is down nearly $50 million from last season — from the $140 million range to around $90 million — including the loss of losing All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes to the Marlins via free agency. But as Wilpon noted, that reduced figure also includes the departures of "many people who weren't here or weren't producing," namely Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo. Francisco Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran also were traded before last season's trade deadline.

Wilpon insisted that Reyes' departure was "a baseball decision" made by Alderson rather than one forced because of the team's shaky finances.

"That was absolutely Sandy's decision,"
Wilpon said. 'I think Sandy made an offer of around $100 million that Jose could've earned if he remained healthy. But Jose did what was best for Jose.

"Are we a little leery of six-year, seven-year, eight-year contracts? Yes. Is Sandy leery of them? You bet. Others have done it. I don't want to criticize anyone who's done something different. We did it different also, and we got burned. That doesn't mean there won't be some player in the future that we think we may do something on a longer term. But history has not been very good."

Like Reyes last year, David Wright will play this season with an expiring contract and the possibility he will be traded before he hits free agency. Wilpon added that Wright's situation "is not tied to" the Madoff proceedings.

"My intention is always to follow the baseball people in spite of what you all say that we run the baseball department. Sandy Alderson has a great feel for this, so does Terry, and if it works out, I'll be thrilled," Wilpon said. "There's no finer guy, he's just a very fine young man…and we'd be proud to have him as a son."

Wilpon also was asked if the Mets' finances will affect whether he authorizes Alderson to add payroll if the Mets are in contention.

"I would tell you let's see how this team plays, and let's see what we need," he said, before adding of Alderson, "I don't think I would've chosen anybody (as GM) that would've had a different philosophy. I was tired of throwing money at something and not getting the success."

    

Last edited by vtmet, 2/27/2012, 5:26 pm


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Re: Fred: Wiill own Mets forever & Reyes was Sandy's decision


I took a different interpretation away from the interview. He never said forever. What he said was "a very long time" which might mean they are seeing the handwriting on the wall. Planning to own it for a long time and actually owning it are two very different things, particularly when a judge has his say about the matter next month.
2/27/2012, 7:05 pm Link to this post Email LaidBackRider   PM LaidBackRider Blog
 
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Re: Fred: Wiill own Mets forever & Reyes was Sandy's decision


the funny thing is that Fred and family are "buying" 6 of the minority shares in the Mets...2 by Wilpon family members and 4 by SNY (which even if Fred has to sell the Mets, I don't think that he'll walk away from SNY ownership)...

Is it possible you may have more minority shareholders there than you originally planned?

"Well, if nothing falls out right now, we have more than 10. But you never know. We probably would consider selling 12, because we bought the first two."


The Times said it was four shares for SNY. Is that accurate?

"For SNY? Yes."


Is selling this team in your vocabulary?

"As long as I can, I plan to be the owner here."

Twelve shares is the max, because 12 at 4 percent each keeps the collective minority investment at less than 50 percent?

"It's correct arithmetically, but it's really not correct because you can find a lot of ownership where someone might own 20 percent and yet they are the control person."

So you don't have to keep 50.1 percent?

"You don't have to. I doubt whether we would sell significantly more. That's not the plan right now."

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/38790/fred-wilpon-speaks-about-mets-future

Last edited by vtmet, 2/27/2012, 8:08 pm


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2/27/2012, 7:57 pm Link to this post Email vtmet   PM vtmet Blog
 
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Re: Fred: Wiill own Mets forever & Reyes was Sandy's decision


I see your point Reece...he does say things like "for a very long time" and "as long as I can"...However, I do like to jazz up the title a little bit...

I'm sure Fred's heart is in the right place...and this was a dismal franchise when he and Nelson bought the Mets...but sometimes, a change in ownership is good for a business that relies on customer perceptions...

Last edited by vtmet, 2/27/2012, 8:13 pm


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Re: Fred: Wiill own Mets forever & Reyes was Sandy's decision


1. "For as long as I can" means until he passes, he has stated earlier in the week they plan to give the team to Jeffpons aweful offspring.

2. This one really pissed me off.. "'I think Sandy made an offer of around $100 million that Jose could've earned if he remained healthy. But Jose did what was best for Jose."

Reyes and Sandy have both said no offer was made from the Mets, if they had offered that he would still be here.

I have defended this man long enough, I apologize for that, I blinded myself to think he had the fans and the team in his best interest and I now realize how he thinks we are just the dumb 99%.

I will officially root for Picard..resistance is futile

Oh and dont get me started on Jeffpons "Under Dog" tee's..
2/28/2012, 4:21 am Link to this post Email RenoHitman   PM RenoHitman Blog
 
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Re: Fred: Wiill own Mets forever & Reyes was Sandy's decision


a well written piece echoing my thoughts


http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/null/2012/02/5358745/fred-wilpon-worryingly-why-mets-fans-shouldnt-be-concerned-about-his-ow
2/28/2012, 4:51 am Link to this post Email RenoHitman   PM RenoHitman Blog
 
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Re: Fred: Wiill own Mets forever & Reyes was Sandy's decision


Nice of Fred to throw Sandy under the bus, huh? "Yeah, it was Sandy's idea to cut payroll and jettison players who had talent in order to give ABs to the Mike Nickeas' of the world."
2/28/2012, 11:58 am Link to this post Email LaidBackRider   PM LaidBackRider Blog
 
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Re: Fred: Wiill own Mets forever & Reyes was Sandy's decision


Typical of Fred. I warned about this when he bought out Nelson Doubleday. I knew the Wilpons having sole ownership would not be good for this team. I so wanted to be proven wrong...sigh.

Now I'm fervently hoping you're right, Reese!!


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Re: Fred: Wiill own Mets forever & Reyes was Sandy's decision


Interestingly, a few hours after I wrote that entry, the very same phrase headlines this article echoing my sentiments:

Fred threw Sandy under the bus
2/28/2012, 5:25 pm Link to this post Email LaidBackRider   PM LaidBackRider Blog
 
vtmet Profile
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Re: Fred: Wiill own Mets forever & Reyes was Sandy's decision


quote:

LaidBackRider wrote:

Interestingly, a few hours after I wrote that entry, the very same phrase headlines this article echoing my sentiments:

Fred threw Sandy under the bus



Ed Ryan is a good guy...he used to post with us at Flushing University (and maybe even Gotham before that one self destructed)...

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