Wilpon Double Talk

"If you're going to listen to the new GM and he's going to tell you [it will] bring back five pieces or something, then I guess you have to listen," Wilpon said, according to ESPN.com. "I'm not saying we're going to do it, but you'd have to listen."

The quote above is Jeff Wilpon responding to a question regarding the next Met GM's ability to remake the franchise by trading a core player like David Wright. Wilpon appears to say here that Met ownership would not out rule any potential deals and the GM would have the opportunity to at the very least, present deals involving core players to ownership. This is an important element for any new GM to have at his disposal and was refreshing to hear Jeff Wilpon apparently say that ownership is open to any avenue the new GM would take in building the franchise.

However, that sentiment lasted 24 hours. Jeff Wilpon felt the need to call David Wright and reassure him that Wright would remain on the team.

"He just wanted to let me know that he wanted me to be here next year, and wants me to be part of the solution for many years," Wright told the Daily News by phone Tuesday. "I agree. I have been here in the good times and the bad times, and I want to be here for years to come."

I can understand that Jeff wanted to stop any media controversy by calling David Wright but I don't understand his explanation. Jeff could have easily said that the team will evaluate all players and no one is safe after the past four years and the new GM will have authority to explore all avenues to build the team. However, telling David Wright outright that Jeff wants him on the team is a huge back track. Jeff has already removed an option the new GM could have to build the team and has demonstrated that ownerships stance on the GM having "complete autonomy" is a load of crap.

This may seem like a non issue to some but it goes to demonstrate the double-mindedness that Met ownership, and Jeff Wilpon in particular, has run this team with for the better part of a decade. You cannot tell the media that you'll listen to any deal the GM presents and then turn around and call a player and basically tell him he isn't being traded no matter what.

Regardless of the words that come out of the Wilpons' mouth, their actions betray them and tell a different story. Like I said this could be a non issue for some fans but for me its a sign that there will be more of the same in Flushing no mater who the GM is.