Hey Omar, No “Edge?” Blame Yourself!!

In case you haven’t heard, Mets GM Omar Minaya criticized the team before Friday night’s game in Philadelphia for lacking an “edge.”

Whether or not that’s true is up for debate. I think you can argue either way, but that’s not the point we’re trying to make here.

Instead, I ask that you consider the source; Mr. Minaya. Hey Omar, if this team is lacking an edge, as you claim, isn’t that YOUR fault?

You were the one given the check book to fill this roster and you did so with guys you hand-picked. If you perceive “edge” as a problem with this team, why didn’t you address it in the off-season?

Omar claims that he did so by adding Gary Sheffield and Alex Cora. You’re kidding, right? Those two guys are the answer to the “edge” issue?

The last thing I’d look for from Sheffield is an “edge” OR leadership. And while Cora is a veteran presence, he hardly plays enough to make a significant contribution to the “edge” department.

If this really is a problem, the blame falls squarely on Minaya’s shoulders. We’ve known for years that David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado are generally quiet, lead by example type players. These are NOT fiery, rah-rah guys.

I guess the issue has come to light because the Mets are in Philly this weekend, home of lively leaders like Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino. Now THOSE are guys you’d definitely classify as having an “edge.”

But that’s not the Mets’ fault – it’s Omar’s. Usually a GM gets the credit when a team does well, and should receive his share of the blame when things to wrong. And in this case, it’s all Omar’s fault.

If a team doesn’t pitch well or suffers an offensive slump, you can point to the players. But if there’s an issue concerning the make-up of a roster, it’s on the GM.

Maybe Omar was trying to light the fire under the Mets by calling out their “edge.” But in reality, all Minaya accomplished was calling to attention his failure to build a well-rounded lineup.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle