Spending money still is not in the Mets’ plans. Another opportunity has passed them by with the signing of a veteran shortstop.
Stephen Drew signed with the Red Sox for $10 million. The Post asked Sandy Alderson point-blank Tuesday if the Mets would have been willing to shell out that kind of money.
“Which is what, $14 million pro-rated?’’ Alderson said. “I think the short answer is no.’’
Give Alderson credit for being honest.
The short answer is no.
The Wilpons continue to run the Mets like the smallest of small-market teams. Even if Alderson wanted Drew, Fred and Jeff would have had to sign off on the deal. Clearly, they didn’t.
Instead of spending money, the Mets will continue to go along with Ruben Tejada (.183) and Wilmer Flores, who is getting on-the-job training.
The Mets also continue losing, getting trashed 9-4 by the Dodgers at Citi Field, a night the Mets went 0-for-4 with the bases loaded. The loss dropped the Mets (20-24) back into last place all by themselves.
Cheap and bad is no way to go through life.
The trade route remains a possibility with Seattle’s Nick Franklin available, or perhaps now that Tony La Russa is running the Diamondbacks, the Mets will have the chance to land Didi Gregorius.
No matter who plays shortstop, it’s going to be someone who does not cost a lot of money.
Hey, it’s only shortstop. Why do you need to spend money at shortstop, one of the most vital, if not the most vital, positions on the field?
“I don’t think I ever said we didn’t have interest in Drew, but under all the circumstances, we decided not to pursue it,’’ Alderson said. “One of the interesting things is, I guess, is the Red Sox don’t forfeit a draft pick.’’
The way things are going at shortstop for the Mets, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mr. Met taking grounders before a game.
Manager Terry Collins focused on the Dodgers, saying the Mets’ motivation on this night “should be the L.A. Dodgers and their $240 million payroll.’’
Mets fans can only dream of half that payroll.
Collins said this of Drew: “He’s a veteran guy everybody says can do some damage in your lineup and being left-handed.’’
This is Sandy Year Four, and the Mets still don’t have a shortstop.
David Wright continued his up-and-down season and left four runners on base his first three at-bats.
“I think he’s trying too hard,’’ said a scout who has seen Wright play a lot this season.
The Mets are running their offense on the bases-per-out mode, yet they are just 6-for-40 with the bases loaded this season.
It’s interesting to note that four hours before Tuesday night’s game, Curtis Granderson broke out Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long’s home-run drill, and had several teammates participate. It paid off with a single, double and homer for Grandy.
By signing Drew, the Mets could have given Tejada breathing room and a mentor. Tejada has been given every chance in the world. As someone from the Mets told me months ago, Tejada would be a good backup on a good team.
It’s sink or swim, though, in their frugal world.
Flores was given the start and grounded out with the bases loaded to end the seventh.
Before Monday night’s game, Alderson said he had seen Flores play shortstop just one game. Asked whose job it is, Alderson responded, “That’s a good question. What we have to do is make sure we are taking a structured approach to these things. We have to give our young players a chance to realize whatever potential they have.’’
Translated, that means Tejada and Flores will be given a schedule when they will play.
An evaluator’s job is to evaluate and project. Too often the Mets and the Wilpons run their team like an open tryout. It’s the major leagues, not “Million Dollar Arm.”
For the Mets, a million-dollar arm probably is too expensive a buy.
So buying a major league shortstop with a championship ring is definitely out of the question.