Tuesday, October 28, 2003
METS WALLOW IN THEIR OWN DUQ-IE
(note: I'm pasting the New York Times article here because if I just linked it, you'd have to get a member ID and a password and stuff and it takes too long. Here, I'm just giving you the material. There is no by-line for the article).
Jim Duquette will be introduced as the Mets' general manager at a news conference today at Shea Stadium. Duquette was appointed to the position on an interim basis after Steve Phillips was fired on June 12.
Duquette soon engineered the salary-dumping trades of Armando Benitez, Roberto Alomar and Jeromy Burnitz. Duquette had been the organization's farm director and a top assistant to Phillips.
The Mets interviewed other general managers, Gerry Hunsicker of the Astros and Omar Minaya of the Expos, each a former Mets executive. But Hunsicker accepted a one-year contract extension to remain with the Astros, and Minaya opted to continue with Montreal after the Mets presented him with a position that would not give him the final say on baseball decisions.
The Mets wanted Minaya to become the organization's top talent evaluator and work alongside Duquette, a relationship in which they would share in decisions and report to ownership. Minaya said Sunday that he was grateful for the Mets' interest, but that he was hesitant to give up the control of player moves that he has in Montreal. He also said he was reluctant to leave the post after becoming the first Hispanic general manager in baseball.
The Mets will continue searching for someone in the mold of Gene Michael, the Yankees' top scout, to assist Duquette in player evaluations.
Jim Duquette will be introduced as the Mets' general manager at a news conference today at Shea Stadium. Duquette was appointed to the position on an interim basis after Steve Phillips was fired on June 12.
Duquette soon engineered the salary-dumping trades of Armando Benitez, Roberto Alomar and Jeromy Burnitz. Duquette had been the organization's farm director and a top assistant to Phillips.
The Mets interviewed other general managers, Gerry Hunsicker of the Astros and Omar Minaya of the Expos, each a former Mets executive. But Hunsicker accepted a one-year contract extension to remain with the Astros, and Minaya opted to continue with Montreal after the Mets presented him with a position that would not give him the final say on baseball decisions.
The Mets wanted Minaya to become the organization's top talent evaluator and work alongside Duquette, a relationship in which they would share in decisions and report to ownership. Minaya said Sunday that he was grateful for the Mets' interest, but that he was hesitant to give up the control of player moves that he has in Montreal. He also said he was reluctant to leave the post after becoming the first Hispanic general manager in baseball.
The Mets will continue searching for someone in the mold of Gene Michael, the Yankees' top scout, to assist Duquette in player evaluations.
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