Tonight’s lineup is an interesting little number spun by Jerry Manuel, who may be a game or two away from losing his job (more on that later):
1. Jose Reyes SS
2. Luis Castillo 2B
3. Angel Pagan CF
4. David Wright 3B
5. Carlos Beltran CF
6. Ike Davis 1B
7. Jason Bay LF
8. Henry Blanco C
9. Johan Santana LHP
Like it except for Castillo in the 2-hole. But seeing as Pagan is the Mets’ best hitter at the moment, for now, put him in that 3-hole and make the lineup deeper down low. Perhaps it will send a signal to Bay, as well.
It’s pretty clear that with one or two more losses, Jerry Manuel may be gone. Bob Melvin is the favorite for the job, as he’s a guy who’s in the middle of the continuum of “players’ manager” vs. “motivator.” Mets fans will clamor for Bobby Valentine, Wally Backman, and maybe even Davey Johnson. Valentine is obviously a popular candidate due to his reputation and achievements with the Mets, but some fans tend to ignore his negatives, which can show up often. Backman is inexperienced as a manager (only a few years in the minors overall) and is better suited as a developmental motivator. And Johnson, well, who knows.
Manuel isn’t fully to blame for New York’s trials this year. But he’s got to shoulder a lot of it. Players love playing for him, but in terms of motivation, I don’t really think he is assertive enough, nor does he push players to the degree they should be. He’s also terrible with in-game management and has worn out more than his fair share of bullpen arms in his days as Mets manager.
The Mets are at a crossroads. The team has just been dead these last few days, and everyone is to blame for that. They have to pick themselves up and start hitting. It will come back, that much is for sure. But they can’t fall too far behind so that they are catching up. They have to stay in the race. Amidst all their struggles, they remain just 4 games back of the Wild Card and 7.5 games back in the division-neither of which are at all insurmountable deficits. But they can’t wait around. They can prove a lot to their fans and themselves by turning this road trip around and fighting through this tough stretch where they still must face a host of good ballclubs.
