In a recent New York Times article about the indecisiveness of the Mets with regard to replacing Omar Minaya, there was a very telling paragraph:

Minaya’s future with the team is in the hands of the three top executives in the Mets’ organization — Fred Wilpon, the chairman and chief executive; Saul Katz, the president; and Jeff Wilpon, the chief operating officer. Those three must first agree on the direction the team will go, then pursue the person they want to lead it.

The problem isn't money or intelligence, as many like to claim.  The problem is that there are three people at the top in charge, and that they each have different visions.  There is probably little, if any accountability in this arrangement.  After all, it can't be Jeff's fault because Saul is the president.  It can't be Saul's fault because Fred is the CEO.  It can't be Fred's fault because Jeff is the one in charge of day-to-day operations.

There needs to be accountability to one person, and that means that two of the three need to get out of the way.  One problem with this is that two people won't want to publicly lose power.  They need to save face.  Here's what I propose.  Name Fred Wilpon the chairman of the board, which will be a position that does next to nothing.  Saul Katz will be the vice chairman of the board, a position that does even less.  Jeff Wilpon will become the CEO, the position of COO will be eliminated, and the position of president will be vacated.

With the obtuse power structure eliminated, the Mets will be in a better position to hire a president, and to do so quickly.  The new president will be able to perform his job, and Met fans will have a chance at seeing a well run organization.

Losing is not fun.  We can only hope that the recent performance of the Mets will get the triumvirate to finally see the light and dissolve.  If not, prepare for more of the same.