Heyman: Reyes to bat third until Beltran returns

Last spring training, we were all intrigued when Jerry Manuel discussed putting Jose Reyes in the third spot of his lineup.  We all scoffed when we heard the same thing this season.

But, according to Jon Heyman, this plan will be in action for more than just spring training.

Heyman tweets that Reyes will be batting third in the Mets lineup, at least until Carlos Beltran returns.

This, I think, is stupid.  We all know the saying “As Jose Reyes goes, so goes the Mets.”  That saying didn’t come from nowhere.  Reyes is the Mets sparkplug and dropping him to third seems silly.

There are other tweaks I’d like to see Manuel make with the lineup, but dropping Reyes out of the top spot is not one of them.

Here is what the opening day lineup will likely look like, if Manuel sticks to this plan…

1. Angel Pagan
2. Luis Castillo
3. Jose Reyes
4. Jason Bay
5. David Wright
6. Daniel Murphy
7. Jeff Francoeur
8. Rod Barajas
9. Johan Santana

It’s actually not too bad, but I still think Reyes is better suited for the leadoff spot.

What do you think?  Leave your comments below.

Mookie, Melvin officially join Mets

Sorry to be late with this, but easing back into school was not too easy today.

Here’s the presser from the Mets, or at least, the “important” part of it…

The New York Mets today announced that Mookie Wilson has returned to the organization as the team's minor league outfield and base running coordinator. Wilson, a former Mets player, coach and minor league manager, was last with the club in 2005 as the manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones (A) of the New York-Penn League.

"It's good to be back," said Wilson, 53, who makes his home in Eastover, SC. "This is where I started and I'm anxious to do whatever I can for the young kids in our system."

The club also announced that Bob Melvin, a former major league catcher and manger, will join the organization as a professional scout, Guy Conti has been named a Senior Advisor in the Minor League Department, and Frank Fultz has been named the Rehabilitation Pitching Coordinator.

So, let’s say you played on the 1986 New York Mets.  Are you just waiting by your phone for the Mets to call to hire you?

Also, the number of internal Jerry Manuel replacements grows.

Report: Mets hire Jauss as bench coach

The Mets will announce a hiring of Dave Jauss as Jerry Manuel’s new bench coach, according to Ken Rosenthal’s sources.  A Daily News report also tabbed Jauss for the Mets last week.

Jauss was hired by Manuel in 1988 as a manager in the Montreal Expos system.

He has worked as first base coach for the Boston Red Sox from 1997-99 under Grady Little.  He also worked as minor-league field coordinatior from 2000-01.  In ‘01, he served as the Red Sox bench coach.  In ‘02 he directed player development and from ‘03-‘05 he worked as an advanced scout.

From ‘06-‘07, Jauss worked as a bench coach under Little in Los Angeles.  In ‘08-‘09, he served as the bench coach for the Baltimore Orioles.

Links: Mets roundtable discussion, parts I and II

Brian Costa, the Mets beat reporter for NJ.com, asked Greg and Jason from Faith and Fear in Flushing, Eric from Amazin’ Avenue and myself to participate in a roundtable discussion about the Mets offseason.

Here’s Part I, where we answer “What would it take for you to go into next season feeling optimistic about the overall direction of the Mets?”

And Part II, where we answer “Are you convinced that both Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel need to go, or could one or both of them still earn your confidence between now and the end of the 2010 season?”

Thoughts?

Report: Mets to hire Chip Hale as 3B coach

Chip Hale, a recent castoff by the Arizona Diamondbacks, is expected to be hired as the Mets third base coach, according to Adam Rubin.

Hale spent the last three seasons with Arizona and will replace Razor Shines, who may be named Jerry Manuel’s bench coach.  But Rubin notes that another ex-DBack may be on a list of people to join the coaching staff: Bob Melvin.

It’s not set in stone who will be on the staff or even where they will be coaching, but I’m glad the Mets seem to be taking this task very seriously.

Heyman: Backman back in the fold

Jon Heyman just tweeted something of note…

Mets planning to bring back feisty '86 hero Wally Backman in minor-league coaching role. they could use a little spunk.

It’s about time this guy got another shot.

There is an opening with Double-A Binghamton, as manager Mako Oliveras was fired last week.

Backman’s brash attitude might not sit well with some people, but he’s the kind of guy that will light a fire under a player or team and push them to perform.  He has a very polarizing persona, so some people hate him and some people love him.

I’m interested to see how Mets fans react to this.  I know a few people will like to see Backman back with the Mets.  On the flip side, I also know a lot of people just flat-out don’t like him.

Also, if Jerry Manuel gets off to a rough start in 2010, I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t considered as a replacement.

Another note on coaches, according to a source, the Mets and Edgardo Alfonzo have been talking about a possible coaching position, likely with the Gulf Coast League team.  Just a rumor right now, but that would be nice to see.

Alomar Sr. and Alicea will not return to coaching staff

The Mets have announced that bench coach Sandy Alomar Sr. and first base coach Luis Alicea will not return for the 2010 season.

Alomar Sr. will be offered another position with the Mets.

Third base coach Razor Shines and catching instructor Sandy Alomar Jr. will stay on staff, but their roles are yet to be determined.

According to Jon Heyman, it was Jerry Manuel’s choice not to fire Shines.

That means Manuel, pitching coach Dan Warthen, hitting coach Howard Johnson and bullpen coach Randy Niemann will be the only coaches sticking in the same roles.

Is this the start to the Mets off-season that you expected?

Manuel’s Musing

“What you try to do after you're down eight, is try to figure out if you have enough pitching to get through the series.”

-Jerry Manuel on being down by eight

Shades of Mookie

Watching Daniel Murphy boot that ball brought something to mind…

“So the winning run is at second base, with two outs … Little roller up along first … Up in the air! Murphy boots it! Here comes Ross, and the Braves win it!”

I’m sure you all thought about that, too.  Right?

All we can do at this point is laugh.  I know I said that back when Luis Castillo dropped the ball, but this is a new low.

Every time I think the Mets have found every single way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, they come out with something like this.  It’s really unfathomable.  It is beyond fathom.

In a lost season, it would be nice to at least see some decent baseball. 

Sixteen hits and only five runs?  Not decent.

Seven hits and three walks in 3 1-3 innings for Bobby Parnell?  Far from decent.

The fact that Jerry Manuel pulled Parnell as if the Mets were trying to win?  Confusing.

Asking for a four-out save from K-Rod with the season in the tank?  Just…why?

So many questions, so little answers.

Man, 2009 can’t end quick enough.

There’s bad baseball and there’s really-terrible-just-awful-no-fundamental-miserable-downright-sad-looking baseball.  And the Mets are no doubt the latter.

Putz out for season with elbow tear

J.J. Putz was expected to rehab with the Brooklyn Cyclones on Tuesday night.

Then, during Omar Minaya’s conference call, he told reporters that Putz was scratched from his scheduled appearance in Brooklyn to, “give him a little more time.”

In his post-game conference, Jerry Manuel told reporters that he didn’t believe Putz would return this year.  It was later revealed that Putz has a slight tear of his ulnar collateral ligament.

He will not need surgery.

Putz has been shut down for the remainder of the season.

Minaya and Manuel get second vote of confidence

In a tune we’ve already heard this season, a Wilpon has made it known that Omar Minaya will be back for 2010.  When Minaya was asked about Jerry Manuel, he sang the same song.

This time around, it’s head honcho Fred Wilpon making the call on Minaya.  (Last time, it came from Jeff’s mouth.)

Mike Puma of the NY Post got in one question to Wilpon, asking if Minaya was coming back for at least another turn with the team.

“Am I going to bring Omar back next year?” Wilpon told Puma. “Absolutely. That's a fact.”

Later, Puma asked Minaya what his plans were for Manuel.

“Jerry is my guy,” Minaya told Puma. “We work well together.”

That’s two of the dreaded “votes of confidence.”  Guess we just have to wait and see how it plays out.

Poll Results: Fans think Manuel should be fired

In my latest poll, I asked Mets fans if they think Jerry Manuel should be fired.  Here are the results…I don’t think he’s done much wrong and the injuries aren’t his fault.  I would keep him on for 2010 and see what happens.  You can hardly blame these losses on him.

Oh, and he’s quite entertaining.

Next Poll: Keep or trade Billy Wagner?

Why Jerry Manuel cracks me up

Jerry Manuel says what he thinks.  Every time.  Without fail.  (Hence the Manuel’s Musing.)

Yesterday we heard Manuel compare Ryan Church to David Wright.  Wright, Manuel said, “is made up a little different” than Church.

Current player, ex-player or anyone at all shouldn’t have to hear this from a manager’s mouth.  Maybe a player after a plunking or bushleague play, but a manager should keep his trap shut unless it’s entirely necessary.  And this was far from it.

Manuel keeps people on the edge of their seat with what he’s going to say next, but this was a little too far.  He needs to think about his words might mean to someone else before he blurts it out.

Still, he’s always entertaining.

Twitter Poll: Would you want to see Bobby Valentine managing the Mets again?

Mets fans seem to be waning on Jerry Manuel.  (My current poll is giving a very slight edge to those in favor of his dismissal.)  So that begs the question, who would they want in his place?

Bobby Valentine, who managed the Mets from the end of 1996 to 2002, seems to be a popular choice.  Though he steered them to only a .534 winning percentage under him, the Mets made two playoff appearances, including losing to the New York Yankees in the 2000 World Series.

So I asked my Twitter followers, at the suggestion of ambilevous, if they would want to see Bobby V back managing the Mets.  Here are their responses…

tfc3rid said: Yes... We made the WS with Jay Payton, Benny Agbayani and Timo Perez in the OF... Enough said.

ant7701 said: yes bring him back NOW!!!!!!!!!

GSorensen said: Bobby V would be cool but that would give the impression that Jerry's at fault here and I don't think he is.

dances_w_vowels said: he would be a good choice, I'd welcome him back.

mostlymets said: No. I got tired of him toward the end of his last stint. It was all about him when it should be about the players.

mostlymets continued: Incidentally I think I'm the only Mets fan who hated the fake mustache dugout visit after Valentine was tossed. No respect.

nick6489 said: There are few better actual on field generals in the game. Let's bring back Bobby V and have suicide squeezes today!

Mets_Fever said: Bobby V. I don't believe would work well with this group his ego would clash - he needs young, no-names that he can control

rbfdds said: Bring back Bobby. V.- best option for the team. I also suggest the Wilpons sell the team to Trump. He will make Mets compete.

jderose123 said: absolutely...would bring back the "winning vibe" to the team and he has been successful in Japan

greatscott said: I'd like to see Bobby V back with the Mets because he out-managed everyone in 2000 with a lesser team and made it work.

BigVin57 said: Yes we need his fire to spark the team

DqtmaReyz said: Yes, I want Bobby V back, but not because I think Manuel has done a bad job. I like Bobby V's concept of small ball.

Mets411Blog said: No. I don't think his style and personality is right for this team. I still think Jerry should stay. Injuries aren’t his fault

4Jia said: No, I rather have an ex Met as the new manager. Preferably a player from 1986. These are my choices Backman, Teufel, Mazilli.

twayward said: NO bobby V. re-tred manager/coach almost never works in pro sports. #mets must move 4ward, not back.

kerelcoop said: Yes cause he has proven he can get the most out of his players (example the 2000 team).

letsgoduke said: doesn't matter. Can't fight tanks with pop guns.

gabefarkas said: no whats the point? Hes been there already. Rather try some1 fresh, if season is lost anyway. Better to take a chance.

ryantcarney said: Bring back Bobby V!

Not on Twitter?  Hit the comments to discuss whether or not you’d want Bobby Valentine back.

Follow me on Twitter (@TheRopolitans) to
participate in the next Twitter Poll!

Checking in on today’s Manuel’s Musing

Earlier today, I posted a the daily Manuel’s Musing.  In it, Jerry Manuel said, “Angel has had some success against Arizona.  That's what we are. That's what we have. He's somewhat of a veteran. So I didn't mind taking my shot with him at that point.”

Understandably, I was skeptical of this statement.  Does Manuel really know the history of Angel Berroa?  Does he even know who Angel Berroa is?

So I checked, and he’s actually somewhat right.  Berroa has had some moderate “success” against the Diamondbacks, and almost all of it came in 2008.

Career against ARI: 66 PA, .214 AVG / .313 OBP / .268 SLG, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, 6 R, 5 BB

2008 against ARI: 35 PA, .308 AVG / .455 OBP / .346 SLG, 2B, RBI, 5 R, 5 BB

Oh, but wait.  Angel Berroa pinch hit for Livan Hernandez, who had thrown only 81 pitches so far in the game.  Hernandez’s career numbers have to be much worse than Berroa’s, right?

Well, take a look…

Livan’s career against ARI: 45 PA, .310 AVG / .310 OBP / .381 SLG, 3 2B, 3 R

Minaya and Manuel safe; Update on Nieve: Tear

SI/SNY/WFAN’s Jon Heyman just posted this to his Twitter…

minaya, manuel have been told by mets boss jeff wilpon they wont be fired over this painful season.

Very interesting

** *** **

Heyman also just tweeted that Fernando Nieve has a tear in his quadriceps muscle.

We already knew he was heading to the DL, as Cory Sullivan is en route to D.C. as I write this, but no one knew how bad the injury was.

I really feel bad for Nieve.  He was getting a chance and making the most of it.  And now he’s down with an serious injury.

Wondering about the lineup today

Update: Naturally, after writing this, David Wright is in the lineup today.

Before yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel said he would rest both David Wright and Gary Sheffield today. 

Strange, considering the Mets will be facing Yovani Gallardo, the Brewer’s ace and they’re already struggling for offense.  Benching the two of the best hitters might not be the greatest idea.  Yes, they need days off, but both on the same day doesn’t seem too smart.

But what does intrigue me about this is the young guys getting a shot.  They haven’t been all too good lately, but today might be the day Nick Evans, Daniel Murphy and Fernando Martinez all start on the same major league team.

It’s apparent that F-Mart needs some more time in the minors, and the same could be said for both Evans and Murphy.  If Manuel chooses, today, we could see a few of the (hopeful) cornerstones of the future Mets team all playing together in 2009.

The lineups aren’t out yet, but if Wright and Sheffield are taking a seat, this might be the best thing to hope for.

Update: Here is what I assume the lineup will look like.  Or I hope.  I’m not sure.

1. Cora – SS
2. Murphy – 1B
3. Evans – LF
4. Church – RF
5. Tatis – 3B
6. Martinez - CF
7. Schneider – C
8. Castillo – 2B
9. Pelfrey - RHP

Again, this is not the official lineup.  But it could look something like it.

Team meeting a.k.a. ‘family talk’

The Mets kept the clubhouse doors closed for 28 minutes as they had a bit of a team meeting.  Jerry Manuel later described it as “family talk.”

But what struck me most was Brian Costa’s tweet, which read, “Jerry said he addressed team after game. message: we have enough here to win.”

Really?

Because just 24 hours earlier, Mr. Manuel told reporters, “We're a below average team. Period.”

6/29: “We’re a below average team.”

6/30: “We have enough here to win.”

Hmm…Sounds like someone got a phone call from someone higher up.

FOX Sports all over the Mets managerial position today

Two articles on FOXSports.com today have to do with the Mets managerial spot.  First, I read the Ken Rosenthal column pointing out that Manuel points fingers at players instead of taking the blame on himself.  Then I read the Bob Klapisch article suggesting Bobby Valentine could be back with the Mets sooner rather than later.

Here’s Rosenthal’s argument:

Manuel, in baseball parlance, "throws guys under the bus."
---
Manuel is not Ozzie Guillen, issuing rat-a-tat criticisms and threats to the White Sox on almost a daily basis. But he is also not Charlie Manuel, who rarely calls out specific players and receives unwavering loyalty from the Phillies in return.

As a media member, I certainly appreciate Manuel saying, "We can't keep sugar-coating things because that's not real." But while I like Manuel a great deal, I'm not sure I would like playing for him.

I know it doesn’t count for much, but the anti-Manuel rumblings and grumblings of Mets fans have been increasing lately.  Sure, they’re in second place and dealing with a ton of injuries, but fans seem to be growing angrier and angrier with the manager’s decision making.

I don’t think he’ll be fired anytime soon, but I wouldn’t be that surprised.

Here’s Klapsich’s argument for a possible replacement:

Despite having fired him in 2002, Met ownership has no hard feelings toward Valentine. In fact, he and GM Omar Minaya remain close friends after a successful relationship in the late '80s with the Rangers, when Valentine was managing and Minaya was a scout.

Does that mean Valentine is next in line to succeed to Jerry Manuel? It depends on whether the Mets survive September, not to mention October. But there's no question a coup is coming if the Mets fail to catch the Phillies — starting with a new manager.
---
Valentine isn't sure how this corporate struggle will end, but insists he'd like to remain in Japan. That's the irony of being labeled an outsider: Valentine feels more at home in the Far East than he did in Flushing, where he was locked in a to-the-death war with then GM Steve Phillips.

Phillips ultimately prevailed, convincing the Wilpon family to fire Valentine after the 2002 season. But no one at Citi Field seems to hold that against Valentine today, certainly not when it's apparent Phillips' dismissal was based on a personal dislike.

Mets fans seem to have a fascination with Valentine.  We just passed the 10 year anniversary of one of Valentine’s classic moments as a Mets manager (the disguise in the dugout, of course).  Fans were positively tickled to celebrate.

Again, I don’t think Manuel’s sealed his fate just yet, but I think it would take a lot to pry Valentine out of Japan and back to New York.

F-Mart did it again

I was on sabbatical when Fernando Martinez failed to run out the pop-fly in front of home plate two weeks ago.  I wasn’t going to blast him over it, but it would be something to bring up and hopefully Jerry Manuel talked to the kid about it.

Promising it would never happen again, F-Mart got a pass.

Well guess what?  It happened again.  I’ll leave it to Joe Janish of Mets Today to lay it out:

While we’re on the subject of running and not running, in the top of the seventh, Fernando Martinez attempted a sacrifice that rolled foul. Ironically, Ron Villone — the pitcher last week when F-Mart chose not to run on an infield popup — was again the pitcher. Catcher Josh Bard alertly allowed the ball to roll, in case it spun into fair territory (it was only about a foot, maybe less, from the baseline), because Martinez never left the batter’s box. I’m not picking on F-Mart here — I can’t, not when the “leader” is making assumptions on long fly balls, and not when his manager doesn’t make hustling a priority. Rather, I’m pointing out that this team continues to run hard only when they feel like it, rather than all the time. And also pointing out that, despite all the “he’ll never do THAT again!” rants, Martinez DID do it again, only this time the ball remained foul and wasn’t nearly as glaring a gaffe as last week’s popup. And why did he do it again? Because he wasn’t disciplined the first time. Again — it’s not F-Mart’s fault, but rather the fault of Mets management and the lazy, loser approach to the game that they’ve cultivated.

Another rookie mistake?  Hmmm…

I think the Mets will retain F-Mart when Ryan Church returns and give the young player a majority of time in the outfield.  Gary Sheffield and Church will split time in the opposite outfield corner.

Again, I really hope someone spoke to Martinez about this.  It’s one of the most basic fundamentals to any sport, not just baseball.

“Run first, ask questions later.”