Van Wagenen made slick move in hiring Mendoza, Leiter
NEW YORK — Ultimately, Brodie Van Wagenen cannot control what the Mets do on the field, but has already showed the ability to manage the message surrounding his team.
Is anyone in the media, or inside the ‘Valley of the Stupid,’ going off on him for the lack of movement in Jacob deGrom’s contract negotiations? No, they assume it’s ownership’s fault and don’t hold BVW accountable.
Is there any panic over the injuries to Jed Lowrie or Todd Frazier? Of course not.
Van Wagenen’s rookie status, combined with his fan friendliness and media accessibility, has produced a false sense of security. So, when ‘Van Microphone’ hires ESPN voice Jessica Mendoza and former pitcher, current MLBN analyst Al Leiter as “special advisors” it not only gives the GM a chance to control the story line of the day, but provides more evidence for those who already perceive him as an “out of the box” innovator.
Still, we got to hand it to ‘Van Microphone.’ This was a slick move.
Don’t think of Mendoza and Leiter, who BVW put on the payroll last week, only as his advisors. They were hired as disciples (The Disciples of Bro) to spread the message and methods of Van Wagenen around baseball. More than anything else they’re a highpowered extension of the Mets PR department. It sounds nice hearing they both will provide feedback to the GM and be involved in the operation. And maybe they will, sometimes. Yet it’s more important for them to be out and about in the baseball world talking up BVW, spreading his word to friend and foe alike.
Hallelujah, Brodie! Leiter is mildly critical by nature, Mendoza, not so much. But there is no way either of them is going on the air and torch the Mets without incorporating BVW’s side of the issue in their critiques. Since Mendoza and Leiter now work directly for Van Wagenen, they can easily get insight others won’t when commenting on anything to do with the Mets. And they don’t have to worry if they lean too far toward the Mets. When they blessed the Mets hiring Mendoza and Leiter, ESPN and MLBN showed they don’t care about any negative perceptions or potential conflicts.
In Leiter and, especially Mendoza, BVW has also employed two scouts, a couple of antennae out in the field who have great access. A harsher term is: spies. Does anyone really think if Leiter and Mendoza come across pertinent info that would interest BVW they will not report directly back to him? And through her ESPN work, Mendoza regularly is now behind “enemy” lines, meeting with managers, players, and front office suits. She could be a fountain of information for BVW, unless all these people decide they’re better off not talking to her — or Leiter, for that matter.
No worries, if their regular sources decide to freeze ‘The Disciples of Bro’ out, BVW will find his “special advisors” another assignment
That’s just what geniuses do.