One week ago, Omar Minaya confidently emphasized the club’s patient approach to this off-season. Having lost the confidence of fans and the favorable press he once enjoyed, Minaya badly needs to be right. The future of the franchise is at stake.

So one week later, that patience thing better be working out.

It still could, but as the free agent talent pool shrinks the Mets self described patience meanders its way to dithering.

Gone now are players whom know how to win in Jason Marquis (Nationals), Garrett Atkins (Orioles) and Darren Oliver (Rangers). The Braves apparently are about to sign Troy Glaus to play first base. The once publically coveted Orlando Hudson is said to be talking to the Nationals as well.

As bad as it was last year, it’s hard to imagine how the last place Nationals are kicking the Mets ass so far this off-season. Nevermind the fact that they are closing the gap with Marquis, reliever Brian Burney and first ballot Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez.

Players are not afraid to go to the Nationals. They have alot the Mets cannot offer. The Nationals were an energetic, fun team to watch at the end of last season. They have a new manager and GM with a mandate. The Nationals offer a sense of certainty that their organization is moving in a positive direction. The Mets have nothing of the sort.

It’s being noticed, too.

Meanwhile the Mets signed journyman knuckleballer, R.A. Dickey. Most Mets’ observers went beyond a yawn to a snicker.

Minaya and the Mets are not going to be able to survive the negative perception that will come with the failure to secure the services of a Jason Bay. Unless that is they know something we don ‘t. As no one in the Mets hierchy talks to the NY print media anymore, this could easily be true.

The negotiations for Bay and Bengie Molina might simply be just business, and that in the end the Mets won’t be outbid for them. And maybe they know that the upgrades they seek in the rotation will come from a trade. See all those Cincinnati Reds rumors. Several starters remain unsigned such as Joel Pineiro and Jarod Washburn.

Right now there isn’t enough roster change that helps Jerry Manuel’s team to go into next season with any confidence. If the current perception of dithering manifests as reality, the narrative that emerges about 6 weeks from now in Port St. Lucie will not be pleasant.

Collectively, everyone will be waiting for the manager to get fired. The Wilpons will look like fools to have kept Omar Minaya around after last season while the Mets struggle to finish ahead of the Nationals in the NL East cellar.

Posted under Uncategorized