The Mets need a game-changer. They need to start dreaming big.
The Post broke the news about Jay Z’s Monday night Cano concert dinner with all the Mets bigwigs. Jay Z is out there selling his client, and that is what he is supposed to do, and at least the Mets sat down and listened.
That’s a start.
The Mets have to get into major buy mode — after all, they are in one of the most desirable markets in the major leagues. The Mets have to come to the realization that forever small market does not play in big-market New York unless you are a winning team, something they haven’t been since 2008.
The Mets have averaged 75 wins over the past five seasons.
There is one word to describe that: atrocious.
Yes, the Mets don’t really want to be involved with $100 million players, as general manager Sandy Alderson has made clear — much less $300 million players. But the fans are tired of dealing with 75-win teams. Did you ever think of that, Mets?
In each of the past two seasons the Mets won just 74 games.
That’s why sitting down with Jay-Z and talking Robinson Cano was significant, even though the meeting was initiated by Jay-Z.
Mets fans, let yourselves dream a little bit. Imagine having a lineup with David Wright from the right side and Cano from the left side. Imagine having two major league-quality hitters then having some young and impressive proud arms on the mound.
Now that is something to get excited about.
If the World Series has taught us anything the last few years it’s there are no perfect teams anymore. A couple big bats, a couple big arms, and anything is possible.
Remember the excitement when Mike Piazza was traded to the Mets from the Marlins. Imagine if the Mets could somehow pull off a deal to acquire someone as talented as Carlos Gonzalez or Giancarlo Stanton. The Mets would be a big-market team again.
The Mets need to realize that. Make the right move and suddenly they are no longer a laughing stock.
Dream along with me for a little bit more. Could you imagine if the Mets had Cano and Wright in the same lineup and how that would turn this town upside down. Imagine how Yankees fans would react to such a move.
Yes, I know it’s all a dream. When that idea was mentioned to Yankees president Randy Levine on Tuesday, at the Stroock government leadership forum on the Impact of Professional Sports on New York’s Economy, that there couldn’t possibly be any way he could envision Cano in a Mets’ uniform, he laughed and said, “For $300 million, yes.’’
The Yankees have offered Cano a seven-year deal for around $170 million. Levine said he hopes Cano remains a Yankee.
Make no mistake, Levine knows how this game is played.
“I think Robbie is a very smart guy,’’ he said. “I think Jay Z and Brodie [Van Wagenen] are very smart, competent guys, and I am not here to tell them how to conduct their strategy or how to sell their player. They can do anything. I’m sure they have a plan. They know we’re here. They know we’re very interested. But right now the money, their demand, is just too high.
“I think the commitment we’ve already made to Robbie anticipates him being a leader, anticipates him being the new face of the Yankees.’’
The Mets need to find a way to wipe away the face of failure that has been with them every day for years. The Mets need to find a way to add a big bat to their lineup.
Going out to dinner with Jay Z to at least talk about Cano was a start. Remember this, though, Mets, you need a little sizzle to go along with that steak.
Don’t be afraid to dream big every once in a while. After all, this is New York.