ANAHEIM – Jim Duquette grew up during the dawn of Rotisserie baseball, but he is a player-development guy. With Steve Phillips getting kicked to the curb, the Strat-O-Matic era of the Mets appears to be over.
Firing Phillips was the best dismissal since actor Eric Stoltz was bounced from the lead role in “Back to the Future.”
The question is: Will Duquette eventually be as successful as Michael J. Fox?
Duquette’s principles as a baseball executive are guided by his patience, a trait the Mets’ new interim general manager pointed out after his promotion Thursday.
“If we can improve the team in the short term, we will, but we have to keep an eye on the long-term picture,” Duquette said. “I think my personality is more patient and I tend to wait on things.”
Like Duquette, his bosses, Fred and Jeff Wilpon, now will be patient. They will study which young players develop this season. They will give Duquette, 37, a 31/2-month audition. And they will show patience while waiting for a possible replacement.
As Duquette began the task of dismantling the roster of pending free agents and other driftwood yesterday, indications were the Mets would attempt to interview the best GM types in the game after the season.
As Duquette attempts to deal Roberto Alomar, Armando Benitez and anyone else he can move, the Wilpons will be clutching their own wish list. Theirs likely will include Atlanta GM John Schuerholz, Yankees guru Gene Michael, San Francisco GM Brian Sabean, Montreal GM Omar Minaya, Houston GM Gerry Hunsicker, Oakland GM Billy Beane and Major League Baseball executive vice president Sandy Alderson.
Many of those names are under contract presently, but the Mets hope a few can escape. Heck, even Yankees GM Brian Cashman has been mentioned as a possible candidate.
Duquette’s duties are more immediate. One of his first tasks is deciding when to recall right-hander Aaron Heilman, the No. 2 prospect in the organization behind shortstop Jose Reyes. Duquette showed patience there, declining to give Heilman a spot start tonight in Anaheim. Instead, control specialist Jason Roach will get the nod.
Duquette and manager Art Howe talked about the decision, and they wanted the best candidate to counteract the Angels’ patience at the plate. Heilman has been inconsistent at Triple-A Norfolk, but Duquette is sure his time is coming and acknowledged he probably could handle a spot start at this moment.
Other issues await Duquette down the road. With Vance Wilson and Jason Phillips playing extremely well, Mike Piazza’s return in the second half will present an interesting problem. Will Piazza become the everyday first baseman? Will he be healthy enough to catch? If Alomar is traded, could Ty Wigginton move to second to accommodate Phillips or Wilson at third base?
Don’t expect a slew of trades, for various reasons. Duquette cited Pat Gillick as a role model, and the Seattle GM was derided as “Stand Pat” in the mid-’90s as he put together two championship teams in Toronto.
“He’s about as patient a GM as I’ve seen, and he’s done all right,” Duquette said.
One thing will change. Whatever deals Duquette makes in his tenure will be done only after a) The Mets secure total injury information and are assured their acquisition is healthy; and b) The team is certain the player can handle the rigors of New York.
“We need to do a better job [in those areas],” Duquette said.
