When ex-Met GM Steve Phillips planned on calling up a reliever to fill out his bullpen, he would withhold the candidates’ names as if they were state secrets. The method turned simple interviews into grand jury interrogations.

Phillips’ purposely evasive strategy negatively offset his best media quality, his availability.

Phillips’ replacement, the refreshingly honest Jim Duquette, will not only reveal who might be called up, but gives post-mortems on trade discussions.

Duquette’s technique is win-win for everyone. By thoroughly explaining the Mets’ thought processes, he makes the team come across more sensibly. With reporters not forced to lean as heavily on outside sources, stories are more detailed. In turn, Met fans will know more, which could lead to even more interest.

For Duquette, a Matchup victory makes stripping the “interim” label off his GM title unimportant. While leading the Mets to a World Series might compare, the Matchup will always be Duquette’s most esteemed accomplishment.