Rick Hahn is out of the running for the New York Mets' GM job, but for the first time in his career, it wasn't his decision.
Previously, the interviewees had met with Jeff Wilpon and assistantgeneral manager John Ricco, who has headed the team's baseballoperations department since Minaya's dismissal earlier this month.
"John Ricco and I spoke personally with Allard Baird, Rick Hahn, LoganWhite and Dana Brown earlier today to thank them for their interest andtaking the time to interview with us," Wilpon said in a statementreleased Friday.
I don't know how badly Hahn wanted this particular job, but when the dust settles, it may be the best for everybody. Hahn completed a whole candidacy cycle and got a whole lot of good press while doing it, and, should the Mets hire Sandy Alderson, he'll have lost out to the biggest name of the group.
Really, he might not have actually lost when considering what would have greeted him. MetsBlog wanted Hahn, but acknowledges the reality of the situation:
The thing is, when you spend the better part of four years hunting downpublic perception, issuing statements about mysterious injuries andsurgeries, arguing with the league’s most influential agent in thepress, when you have a GM accusing beat writers of being disingenuous,when your $17 million closer punches someone in the player’s lounge andis arrested, when your ace is accused of rape, when people see you asbroke and incompetent, and when your fans are apathetic from beingburned over and over and over again, oddly enough, winning is not necessarily the most important short-term goal. Instead, working to create an environment for winning is more necessary… and I feel Alderson is most qualified and capable of doing that.
I don't think Hahn is missing out on anything.
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Our second offseason plan comes courtesy of ChiSoxHawk. No introduction necessary.
ChiSoxHawk's 2011 White Sox offseason plan
1) Would you offer arbitration to:
*A.J. Pierzynski? (Type A) Yes ... however, it can be risky considering A.J. got just over $6 million this past season. I really wouldn't want to pay him much more than that. At the same time, Flowers is not ready, but I am curious as to what Castro could do given a full season and 500 AB.
* Paul Konerko? (Type A) I can't see arbitration as a means of keeping PK. Sign him for three years at about $32 million front-loaded (14-10-8). Aging or not, he proved that he is still VERY productive, not to mention the intangibles he provides.
* Manny Ramirez? (Type A) Ha ha ... if "we" sign him then maybe I can bring my 82 m.p.h. heater to spring training and get a shot at the closer position.
* J.J. Putz (Type B) Arbitration ... yes ... I would accept anything under 6 million but I would like to get him locked up for 2 years.
2) Would you pick up Matt Thornton’s $3 million option for 2011, or buy him out for $250,000? (Note: This has already been picked up, and if it weren’t, there’s only one decision, anyway.)
Glad it was picked up. I would try to lock him up for anywhere from 3-5 years. If we made him the closer, we would save wear and tear on his arm and he would most likely still be as productive as he is now in a setup role.
3) Would you pick up Ramon Castro’s $1.2 million option for 2011, or buy him out for $200,000?
Pick it up Need a back up for A.J. and Flowers needs another year in the minors.
CLUB CONTROL (explain if warranted)
4) One-year contract for John Danks? If not, what would you pay to extend him?
I would re-offer him a 4 year deal. Slightly more than what we offered him the last time. Four years, $20 million.
5) Would you tender a contract to Bobby Jenks?
Say bye-bye to the fat man unless he will accept a one year deal at $2 million.
6) Would you tender a contract to Carlos Quentin?
T & T -- Tender and trade. True, his numbers are not that bad considering his "potential," but I sense he will never put up the figures of 2008 ever again.
7) Would you tender a contract to Tony Pena?
Sorry, I wouldn't. Versatile, but just not effective enough.
FREE AGENCY: WHITE SOX
8) Which of the following impending White Sox free agents would you attempt to re-sign, and at what price:
*Paul Konerko -- three years, $32 million, front-loaded as stated above.
*A.J. Pierzynski -- two years, $11-13 million.
*J.J. Putz -- two years, $10-12 million.
*Manny Ramirez -- MBM: Manny being Manny or Manny being Mendoza? As good a chance as Bonds has of finding work with ChiSox.
*Omar Vizquel -- Omar is not about the money but be fair. Give him a raise and remember this ... Omar Vizquel just may replace Ozzie ... perfect world.
*Andruw Jones -- Sign him to a one month contract: April, then let him walk. Screw it, just let him walk.
* Freddy Garcia -- Keep him on board. We have the option -- nothing more than the option year.
* Mark Kotsay -- Nice guys finish last ... or second. But then again, nice guys can get more than a couple of hits off of lefties. Bye-bye.
FREE AGENCY: OUTSIDE HELP
9) Which positions are in the most dire need of an upgrade?
3rd Base, Closer, DH and RF.
10) Name three (or more) free agents you’d consider, and at what price. MLB Trade Rumors has an list of 2011 free agents, but pay attention to club options.
*Carl Crawford -- I'd go as high as seven years, $105 million.
*Adam Dunn -- Four years, $48 million.
*Brandon Webb -- one year, $3 million.
TRADES
11) Name a couple (or more) realistic trades that could improve the Sox.
Williams sold the farm already so nothing I mention would be realistic since the talent we have I want to keep.
SUMMARY
12) Sum it all up in a paragraph or nine, and give a ballpark estimate of the total payroll.
It is obvious that we need to do something to move to the next level. Hearing that the payroll will likely decrease leaves little wiggle room. Best thing I could hear is that Reinsdorf reconsidered and he has decided to let Ozzie go elsewhere, Vizquel takes over as player/manager and then we get Crawford or Dunn...
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Arizona Fall League:
- Peoria 6, Mesa 2
- Eduardo Escobar hit his second homer of the fall, part of a 2-for-4, one-walk day.
- Charles Leesman allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits in his inning of work.
