After Terminating Minaya & Manuel, Fred & Jeff Wilpon Face The Press

The Mets had a 1:30 press conference (Presser) to discuss and answer questions about the termination of Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel, as well as the state of the Mets.

Some questions were right on point, while others were retarded.

Some of the things I took from this display was that I don't believe a word out of Jeff's mouth, and I have a hard time hearing him call his father Fred.

Below are some quotes and questions. I tried to get the entire quote accurate, but at the very least, paraphrased, if not accurate to the word.

When asked if the new GM will have "autonomy", Jeff started, and Fred finished by saying:

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"The old GM had that."

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I don't believe that for a moment, and hopefully Jeff and Fred don't believe that. If they don't, then they can change. If they do believe it, it is going to be the same old hat.

When asked about how decisions are made in regards to budget or building a team, Fred intimated that the Mets as well as his other business are a family business and said:

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"No major decision is made without a consensus between the three of us."

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Regarding the hiring of a manager, where in the press release Jeff said, "We feel a fresh perspective in the leadership of our baseball department will elevate the performance of our club. That person will work with Ownership to hire a new Manager and will be responsible for creating a winning culture."

When asked the same question during the press conference, Jeff back-peddled a little:

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"We will hire a GM first and let him hire a manager."

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When asked about bad contracts and that the Mets essentially played with 23 or 24 players because others (Castillo and Perez) were never used, and what the Mets will do in the future, Jeff responded:

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"Omar never brought to us to get rid of so and so. If he did, it would had been taken under advisement."

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A few times the Wilpon's were asked about the perception of their team and ownership, and would it be difficult in hiring people, Fred enlightened the press corp:

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"This is a good job. People want to be GM and manager here."

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The owners were asked why neither man was released during the season, Jeff responded:

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"...we were committed to giving Jerry and Omar a chance the finish (sic) the season."

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My favorite question was asked by MLB reporter Marty Noble when he asked if the Mets "are equipped to go after Free Agents like they did with Beltran, Piazza, Ventura, Foster..."

The senior Wilpon emphatically answered: "Absolutely"

Mr. Wilpon continued:

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"The Madoff issue for Sterling...the money smarts. I don't like to lose money by having it stolen, but it's the betrayal that I will take to the grave...It took liquidity away, but is not an impediment...the money lost was not part of the business that runs the shop."

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After the "presser", Fred Wilpon met with Kevin Burkhardt for much of the same questions. Mr. Wilpon promised to:

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"Work hard , to hire the best person, and win between the lines..."

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