Jerry Manuel took over as New York Mets manager a little over a year ago and it has been an up and down year so far. His team got hot last year after he took over but it was all negated by yet another September collapse. He was lucky to get another shot this year after the collapse. So far it is not going very well as the Mets stand just one game over .500. Here is a look at the problems with Jerry Manuel.
Jerry Manuel's Post-Game Interviews
One of the biggest problems with Jerry Manuel is that he never speaks with a sense of urgency. Much like his predecessor WIllie Randolph, he seems to have this laissez-faire attitude that everything is going to be O.K. Another thing that irks Mets fans is that he prefaces many of his statements with "The way we're built now ....." By saying that, he is implying that he lacks confidence in the team the way it is currently assembled. That is the wrong message to send to the team. He is also making excuses for the Mets disappointing play by saying that. Mostly, though, he is making excuses for the poor job he has done as the manager.
The Mets' Talent
Now, it is true that the Mets are shorthanded. However, they still have two of the top hitters in the league in David Wright and Carlos Beltran. They also have the best closer in the league in Francisco Rodriguez. Johan Santana is arguably the best starter in the league. Those are luxuries very few teams have. All four of those guys should be on their way to St. Louis next month for the All-Star game. The Mets have also gotten a big boost from guys like Livan Hernandez and Fernando Nieve at the back of the rotation. In the lineup, they have gotten nice boosts from guys like Gary Sheffield and Alex Cora as well. Despite the injuries, this team should be better than 34-33.
The Mets' Playoff Chances
Fortunately for the Mets, the Phillies have also struggled so they are only two games out in the division. However they have blown a golden opportunity to move past them. The Phillies will have a huge psychological advantage come September so the Mets need to stay close in the wild-card race. Because of their struggles, they have lost ground to teams like the Giants, Cubs, Rockies, and Brewers. Philly is bound to turn things around, they have too much talent, especially offensively. So, if the Mets don't start playing better soon, they will be playing out the string in September. One reason it is difficult to see the Mets turn this around is their sub-par Manager, Jerry Manuel.
Jerry Riding a Hot Hand (Or Not)
Jerry Manuel does not believe in riding a hot hand. Countless times this year, a guy has had a big day at the plate, only to find himself on the bench the next day. Now, the Mets are shorthanded as Jerry likes to remind Mets fans all the time. So, being shorthanded, doesn't it make sense to keep a guy in the lineup who is swinging the bat well? That is Baseball 101. If a Manager cannot grasp this most simplest of concepts, how can he be entrusted with a team that has World Championship aspirations?
Jerry's Mismanaging of the Bullpen
Not only does Jerry not know how to ride a hot hand, he seems enamoured with riding the cold hand. Earlier this year, J.J. Putz had several poor performances as the set-up man but Jerry kept trotting him out their in the eighth inning to continue blowing games. More recently Bobby Parnell has been struggling, but he continues to trot him out their in big spots, including this afternoon, to protect a one run lead. When you have a guy struggling in the bullpen, you need to put them in some blowout games to try to get their confidence back before putting them back in a big spot. Once again, Baseball 101. Parnell gave up four runs without recording an out and the game got away from the Mets. Now, why couldn't Jerry leave Brian Stokes, who had pitched a scoreless sixth, in the game. Stokes has pitched very well this year outside of two bad outings, but he's been a forgotten man in the bullpen, used only sparingly and rarely in big spots. Stokes went into the game yesterday with an E.R.A. under one at home but he had pitched just 10 2/3 innings. While Stokes is underused, guys like Feliciano, Green, and Parnell have been overused and that is likely to come back and haunt the Mets down the stretch of the season.
Would the Mets Make a Managerial Move?
Given the issues with Jerry Manuel, the possibility of an in-season Managerial move is becoming more of a possibility each day, especially as the Mets continue to lose games. Last year, the Mets switched Managers around this time, and, at least initially, it paid off as they went on a nice run before collapsing in September. Would they try it again this year? Can anybody say Bobby Valentine?
