What an offseason it's been for the Mets.
Carlos Beltran was hired, then fired. The Wilpons sold the team, then they didn't. Now, their fancy, newly renovated clubhouse is going to be used for spring training and spring training only. Minor leaguers be damned.
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New York — but, really, Floridian taxpayers — spent $57 million on a spring training stadium renovation that included major updgrades to its clubhouse in Port St. Lucie, Fla. You could probably play an arena football league game in here.
This is the Mets’ new major-league clubhouse in PSL. It’s huge pic.twitter.com/q7xFNu0Crr
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) February 10, 2020
Here’s a look at the Mets new (and considerably larger) clubhouse at the renovated Clover Park.
— Deesha (@DeeshaThosar) February 10, 2020
You will notice, Jed Lowrie’s locker is sandwiched between Pete Alonso and Robinson Cano. pic.twitter.com/Xa9p1YX0Ix
Impressive new clubhouse for the Mets after a $57-million dollar spring training renovation ... #Mets legends decorating the walls pic.twitter.com/0BOTFwhshl
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) February 10, 2020
Well, there's a catch. The Mets' new clubhouse will only be used for the major league squad, and not for the St. Lucie Mets, the High-A affiliate that calls First Data Field home for their regular season.
The most striking part of the Mets' $57 million spring training renovation may be the home clubhouse. The Mets are only using it for Spring Training, not for the St. Lucie regular season, to give minor leaguers a reminder of the status they're working to earn. pic.twitter.com/k1b3vTTkj3
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 10, 2020
Per MLB.com Mets beat writer Anthony DiComo, the Mets are only using the new digs for spring training, and the reasoning is pretty absurd: "To give minor leaguers a reminder of the status they're working to earn." DiComo did clarify and make sure the message came from the higher ups, and that it wasn't speculation on his part:
That is the actual reason, per Mets.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 10, 2020
It's so very, incredibly petty that these guys need a "reminder of the status they're working to earn." I mean, after all, even for the Mets' High-A affiliate, it seems pretty ridiculous. These guys are baseball lifers scratching and clawing to make the Show. What harm is there in letting them use nice facilities for the season?
To be fair, the High-A Mets got a nice little refurbishing of their own, but it's not as gaudy as the big-league's deal.
For those asking, here's the St. Lucie regular season clubhouse. It's also brand new and quite nice, albeit much smaller than the spring clubhouse. pic.twitter.com/0ULuC6hul1
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 10, 2020
Also interesting to note — and likely customary — Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen has a locker, too, in the auxiliary clubhouse at the park.
The GM and his staff have lockers in the auxiliary clubhouse. pic.twitter.com/gqs7AL6a56
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) February 10, 2020
The question remains: What will this clubhouse be used for when the Mets break camp? Storage? A jazz club? Jousting tournaments?
Motivation comes in all shapes and sizes, but if a minor leaguer needs a nice clubhouse as a reason for motivation, then maybe they're playing the wrong sport.
Minor leaguers get paid crap, they get put up in the worst hotels, and they're often accustomed to the playing in the worst conditions at the worst times. Let them use some nice freakin' lockers, Mets. Jeez.
