Patience

If there is one thing Omar Minaya learned this past off-season it is that patience may be a general manager’s greatest virtue. The way the market played out last year, Minaya was both rewarded for his patience and punished for a quick decision.

On November 19th of 2007, Omar Minaya opted to beat the market for second basemen by securing Luis Castillo to a 4 year, $25 million. At the time, the Mets had faced stiff competition for Castillo’s services from the Astros, Nationals and Cubs (all expressed interest in Castillo) even though the 32 year old Castillo had been battling leg problems. Other second basemen on the market included Marcus Giles, Tadahito Iguchi, Kaz Matsui and David Eckstein. Eckstein, in December of 2007, received a one year deal only a month after the Mets were discussing a multi-year deal for the “pest.” (I would not have been able to handle him in a Mets uniform). The point is, had Omar waited for the market to develop, he would not have had to invest four years in the injury riddled Castillo. It appears that every other second basemen on the market got a 1 year deal. (Note: Hindsight is 20/20).

Omar Minaya wanted Johan from Day 1 of last year’s offseason. Minaya, however, was patient. Instead of sweetening the offer in November, Minaya waited out the market and was able to pick up Santana for a reasonable package. Imagine if Omar had pulled the trigger in November with Fernando Martinez, Pelfrey and Carlos Gomez (and others) headed to Minnesota.

That brings me to this off-season. Right now, free agents such as Oliver Perez and Francisco Rodriguez have lofty demands. Who knows what these demands will be in January if teams are reluctant to give in. Hopefully Omar utilizes the “Johan Technique” and lets the market play out before making rash decisions (as long as he doesn’t let the market pass him by).