My first attempt at a video blog. My thoughts on what the Mets need to focus on during the GM meetings and remaining weeks leading up to the 2009 season. Let me know your thoughts.

A couple years ago, the New York Mets inked a 20 year $400 Million deal with CitiGroup for the naming rights of their new ballpark that opens in 2009 (”CitiField“). Unfortunately CitiGroup has fallen upon hard times, will cut 52,000 jobs and has been bailed out by the government so that it doesn’t completely fold.

With that said, now you have a couple New York City Council Members proposing that the Mets and Citi Group change the name of the ballpark from “Citi Field” to “Citi/Taxpayer Field”.  Let me just start out by saying that I think this name change proposal is one of the silliest ideas I have ever heard. You actually want to name the ballpark “Taxpayer”? Really?

I completely understand how this looks. You have a company that is being supported by the government, cutting jobs left and right and yet they have $400 million to spend on naming rights to a baseball park over the next 20 years. I get it and yes in these times of economic struggle CitiGroup should be cutting unnecessary costs and trying to keep as many people employed as possible.

At the same time let’s remember a couple things:

1. This deal was agreed upon years ago long before CitiGroup began having financial trouble.

2. In no way shape or form should the New York Mets be blamed for any of the controversy surrounding the name. They inked a deal with CitiGroup and if CitiGroup cannot hold up their part of the bargain, then the out clauses in the contract need to be evaluated and some type of settlement should be reached. 

Here is how I would resolve this if I were the Mets. First, I pay no attention to these council members. This is a clear attempt by a couple politicians to gain some publicity for themselves and stir the pot if you will. Second, I have my attorney’s review the contract, look at the out clauses and see what I can do to get out of these deal as quickly as possible. The Mets are in a position where they cannot win. I don’t blame them for this mess but you cannot have your ballpark named after a company and industry that has heavily stuck smack in the middle of the country’s economic crisis.

I know this leaves the Mets with a “No Name” park and egg on their face just four-five months before opening day but the Mets have to show some sensitivity here to the general public. Get out of the deal as painlessly as possible and find a new sponsor as quickly as possible.

As a side note….Mets fans any surprise that something like this would happen to us? We closed Shea Stadium in the worse possible way and now open the new ballpark under a cloud of controversy. LOL

What are you thoughts on the Citi Field controversy? Any good ideas for a new ballpark name?

* Photo credit: New York Mets

Forget Santa, this year I am writing my Christmas wish list to the General Manager of the New York Mets Omar Minaya. Omar if your listening, all I want for Christmas is Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe and Brian Fuentes. For the past four years as the Mets GM Omar, you have always seem to come through and put a present under my tree.

Whether its been Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Billy Wagner or Johan Santana you have always given me reason for hope in the new year. But this year I am not only asking for a present under the tree, I need a ribbon on top of the present and a little stocking stuffer as well.

For the last two years, Mets fans have watched the offense disappear in September. Solution - Manny Ramirez. I know there is the baggage that comes along with Manny but after being put through complete agony the last two years, I don’t care. Go to Manny with a 4 year, $18 million per year deal, put him in left field and let Manny be Manny.

With Pedro gone and Oliver Perez up in the air, the Mets are in desperate need of a starting pitcher that eats up innings. Forget about CC Sabathia (let the Yankees overpay) and AJ Burnett. Go get me Derek Lowe. Lowe is a good steady winning pitcher who will eat up 200+ IP.

The Mets are also in need of a closer. The obvious choice would be Francisco Rodriguez. With all due respect for to the 62 saves he had last year, I don’t want him. I can’t shake the image of him blowing playoff games to the RedSox’s the last two seasons. We need a stop gap, steady type of closer until we figure out what to do long term. I’d spend my money on Brian Fuentes. A professional closer who can come in without a lot of media stir and do the job.

What say you Mets fans? Am I asking for too much?

The last game ever at Shea Stadium was a bitter-sweet experience. The Mets not only lost the game, but were knocked out of post season play for the second consecutive season. There will be plenty of time for me to absolutely kill the Mets but now is not the time. I’m 32 years old and I’ve been going to Shea for as long as I can remember and as someone who loves the history of baseball, I was glad I was there. After the heart breaking loss, it was tough to stick around for the post game ceremony but I’m glad I did because it was great to see all the players that came back one last time.

I would say if there was one moment where I got goose bumps it was when Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry were introduced and met behind second base and shook hands. Those two guys are two of the most celebrated players in Mets history. They both came up very young with alot of excitement, lead the Mets to the 1986 World Series Title and then both left New York as somewhat fallen heroes. It was good to see them both back as well as all the other all time great Mets. There isn’t much about Shea Stadium itself I will miss (after all it’s a complete dump). I’m looking forward to taking all my memories over to CitiField.

Check out some pics below: