VIDEO: Mike Piazza Defends Jeff Wilpon Amid Swirling Mets Sale Rumors

New York Mets owner Jeff Wilpon is the polar opposite of a fan favorite in Queens. After all, his bizarre refusal to cede control of the organization practically forced potential buyer -- billionaire Steve Cohen -- to back out of the previously-agreed upon deal. With the Wilpon's looking to sell the team (with no control clauses), former Mets catcher Mike Piazza came to Jeff's defense, claiming that the 57-year-old COO wants to hand the keys to the organization to "someone that cares about the team." Piazza added that it's misguided that Wilpon doesn't prioritize winning.

Sorry, Piazza, but you might be the one that's deluded here.

For starters, the main concern in Queens is the team's lack of success under Wilpon's reign. That's due largely in part to his stinginess and financial constraints. While Piazza claims "spending big to win" isn't always the best tactic, it, at the very least, shows some efforts being made towards producing a winning product. Wilpon's failure to do that in the past has been at the forefront of his criticisms.

Piazza claims Wilpon wants to pass the franchise on to someone who cares about the team, though a deal fell through with Cohen, who is perhaps the individual who best displays the qualities which Wilpon is seeking in a future owner. The 63-year-old is from Great Neck, and grew up a fan of the Mets. He's a driven worker who flaunts a winner-take-all mentality, and probably would have stopped at nothing to make the Mets a perennial playoff contender.

It's not surprising to hear Piazza come to the defense of Wilpon, especially considering the two remain in close contact, but his latest vindication of the Mets' owner seems a bit of a stretch.