This weekend it was announced the Mets and hedge fund manager David Einhorn have ended their exclusive negotiating window, meaning Einhorn will no longer be an option for the team’s vacant minority owner position.
“Mr. Einhorn wanted the option to eventually buy the entire team,” said a lawyer close to the proceedings. “It’s like buying the back seat of a car and never being able to drive it. Where’s the gain in that?”
What the Wilpon family will do next is anybody’s guess. Rumors are swirling that they will look to obtain the $200 million that walked with Einhorn by raising already high ticket prices, and hounding comedian and avid Mets fan Jerry Seinfeld to kick in some of that “sweet TV money.”
“It’s the Wilpon’s fault,” said Mets beat reporter Ted Dunn. “I mean, I don’t have any evidence to back that up, but it’s just so much easier to blame them.”
The real question in all of this mess is what will become of Jose Reyes? When the news of Einhorn buying a stake in the team was announced, it seemed to solidify the idea that the Mets were serious about re-signing the speedy star. Now that the tables have turned, re-signing Reyes is about as likely as a Mets’ pitcher throwing a no-hitter.
The solid play of youngsters like Ruben Tejada and Lucas Duda may have factored in the Mets’ decision to end the talks. The two players seem ready to step into the lineup next year, with a combined salary of less than $1 million, which is the price of four Jason Bay RBIs.
“I just want to thank the Wilpons for considering me,” said a visibly relieved Einhorn. “Nah, I’m just joshing, those guys are impossible to work with. I hope the fans finally see through their [expletive] and jump off that sinking ship.”
