"An owner's thoughts about his franchise" September 23, 1999
Binghamton Mets owner Jason Garnar sat in his small log cabin and
mulled over the future of his Binghamton Mets. Garnar smiled with
satisfaction at the work he had done this year. After struggling last
year only winning 77 games, Garnar, through a slew of trades, turned the
Binghamton Mets into a winner. Jeff Bagwell was brought in, So was the
veteran Joe Carter. The power hitting Mark McGwire was traded for. A
potential MVP Ken Caminiti was also acquired. Garnar also acquired a
better shortstop in Pat Meares. The pitching was also not ignored.
Veterans Ramon Martinez, David Cone, and Troy Percival were also traded
for in an attempt to shore up the staff and the bullpen.
In light of these trades, the season has been kind. The Mets are
92-59, with 10 more games to play. They have locked up their division.
As Garnar sat by his fireplace, he also reminded himself about what he
had given up to get his stars. Numerous draft picks were traded. Oort
Cloud, a potential franchise player, was dealt. Jim Thome and Brad
Radke, two of the most brightest young stars for the Mets were also
dealt, along with veterans Mark Whiten and Chilli Davis. Although
Garnar knew he was giving up youth, his desire to win was above anything
else.
What bothered him immensely was thinking about the upcoming Free Agent
plan. Garnar (and many others) had traded most of his youth to
struggling franchises for his older stars. He realized this was a good
thing, however. These strggling franchises would receive his youth, and
rebuild with them. On top of that, they would recieve not only his
draft picks, but much higher ones for themselves. This was balance he
thought, and it was good.
Now, seemingly the balance has been altered. Not only did these teams
get his young prospects and draft picks, they will now also be able to
get an all-star player from him. His hands trembled when he thought of
the stars he had so desperately acquired leaving Binghamton and being
snatched up by another team. Troy percival, Fred Bass, Matt Mieske,
Benito Santiago, David Cone, and Craig Biggio-one of them will be gone,
decimating a team that was built up just so recently.
He knows that something has to be done. However, he is powerless to
stop it. Mr. Peck, the commissioner, is an all-powerful man, who has
the final say on everything. He is simply a team owner who made the
great mistake of trying to field a winning team this year. For this
mistake, we will soon be punished for it. The playoffs should be on his
mind, but they aren't. He try's to think about the playoffs, but is
just reminded of what will happen to his team once they're over. Again,
he thought. Something must be done. But deep within his thoughts, he
knows probably nothing will ever be done to change the travesty of what
we call the FA Plan.
