At  this point in this dismal season, everyone and their mother is looking toward the future of this franchise. It’s probably not as bleak as things seem right now but it’s not very bright either. The Wilpon’s don’t seem to want to spend like the Steinbrenner’s do and our minor league system is quite weak. Therein lies the problem.

Every year we plug the holes that leaked last season and don’t have the foresight to realize the holes that are already sprouting. After the collapse of ‘07 when are starting pitching fell apart down the stretch, we went out and got the best available starter via trade in Johan Santana but we failed to address the rest of the team. We re-signed Moises Alou and Duaner Sanchez. So when the bullpen collapsed in ‘08  we signed the top free-agent closer in the off-season yet failed to address the outfield situation properly. The organization decided not to spend on relatively cheap options in Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn, or Raul Ibanez, I won’t bring up Manny. Of course with the injuries this season, the Wilpon’s will give most of the organization a pass. But really what does our future hold, where is the organization heading???

In today’s game of baseball you’re either a big market team that goes out and spends the big bucks year in an year out and has lesser minor league talent or you’re a smaller market team that builds your organization around the farm system a la the Tampa Rays, Twins. The Mets, at this point do NEITHER. While we’re one of the highest payroll franchises we never seem to go over the top like the Yankees do and our farm system is pretty much depleted.

Like Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs, we’re Stuck in the Middle. The song actually fits quite well with this franchise if you read the lyrics,

“Well I don’t know why I came here tonight, I got the feeling that something ain’t right, I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair, And I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs.”

“Losing control, yeah, I’m all over the place,Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.”

It is too difficult to guess what this organization’s plans are for next year and beyond. Will they tear it down and try to rebuild in New York or will they open up the wallets again and address needs? Yes, we’re unfortunately stuck in the middle with the Mets.