At the moment, fans are a mixture of angry, disillusioned, and apathetic.  It can be argued that the Mets’ final 2013 record will have no bearing on what the 2014 team can accomplish (see the 1984 Mets as an example).  However, with 2014 having been pegged as the year the Mets would turn this thing around, a truly horrendous 2013 will affect how fans view next year and beyond.  In addition, although it’s ordinarily money that talks, if the Mets were to finish with close to 100 losses, it would be more challenging when it came time to add talent via free agency – which is something the Mets will be looking to do.

May 15, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; New York Mets manager Terry Collins (10) looks on before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

In the weeks and months ahead, the Mets will likely promote Zack Wheeler, Travis d’Arnaud, and Rafael Montero to the major league squad (probably in that order).  This season is supposed to be a transition to bigger and better things, not a tumble backwards down a well into a pit of despair.  If things keep going the way they are, this season won’t be viewed as a bridge to the future, It’ll be viewed as a bridge to nowhere.

The Mets are having trouble selling tickets and they’re having trouble relating to their fans.  Even if they were to finish with a record similar to last year’s (74-88), it’d be difficult to market the 2014 edition.  If they finish far worse than they did last year, it’ll make that job nearly impossible.  And if they finish with a terrible record while doing nothing proactive to address it, the fans will be livid.

It was apparent coming into the season that the Mets lacked the talent necessary to legitimately contend.  If their bad play was simply a matter of performance, it’d be one thing.  The problem, is that their performance has been mixed with both a failure to execute, and at times boneheaded on field displays that have left the coaches and fans in stunned disbelief.

Recently, there have been a rash of inexcusable mistakes.  Last week, John Buck was doubled off second base after not looking back when a line drive was hit to the outfield.  A few days ago, Ike Davis was caught loitering near first base, resulting in an obstruction call.  Just today, Daniel Murphy fell asleep at second base when he had a runner caught in a rundown, Ruben Tejada almost got picked off two separate bases (and failed to slide back in on the second occasion), and Ike Davis inexplicably watched as the game deciding hit trickled past his glove.  The Mets aren’t just losing, they’re sleepwalking at times.  Fair or not, that’s a reflection of the manager.

By all accounts, Terry Collins is a decent man and a hard working, no nonsense manager.  As has been pointed out in the past, Collins isn’t an X’s and O’s guy who will outsmart the opposition.  His value is as a motivator.  Without that ability, his presence in the dugout is pointless.  His last managerial tenure (in Anaheim) ended when the players staged a mutiny.  Late last season, Collins was asked if the team had quit on him.  He responded by telling the assembled media that they’d have to ask the players.  This season, the same lazy, mistake filled play that’s afflicted the Mets for years is again manifesting itself.  So, how bad will this be allowed to get before a change is made?

Consider this: The Mets find themselves 10 games under .500 this early in the season for the first time since 2001.  Now think back to how atrocious 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2009 were.  All of those teams got off to better starts than the 2013 Mets.  That’s alarming.

If the Mets continue down this path (for instance, if the team is 22-40 three weeks from now), there has to be a change.  This isn’t a call for Wally Backman or Tim Teufel, Pedro Lopez, or Bob Geren.  It’s simply a call for change if it’s merited.  The Mets can’t allow this season to spiral completely out of control.  If they do, it has the potential to poison next season before it even begins.

At the moment, it appears that the odds of Terry Collins being the manager beyond 2013 are extremely slim.  He knows that, and so do the players and the fans.  Unless the team picks up its play, there’s no reason to allow Collins to ride out the string as a lame duck who won’t be having his contract renewed.

If the Mets continue to play as if they’re tuned out at times, the wise move would be to relieve Collins of his duties and replace him with an interim manager who the Mets feel might be the answer for 2014 and beyond.  Install that person early, and evaluate him.  If their handling of the job merits a permanent tag, award it.  If not, find someone else.  The one thing the Mets shouldn’t do, though, is allow this season to become a fiasco while the team is being led by someone who doesn’t fit in their future plans.

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On whether the Mets want to get rid of Jordany Valdespin:

No, we need to have him. He brings a lot to the ballclub…yesterday, he spent an hour during batting practice shagging balls. He’s electric off the bench, he loves those big situations, and it’s tough to find somebody at this level who does it.

Do they not play Valdespin because they don’t like him?

That’s not true…his best position is second base and right now Daniel Murphy is red hot.

May 5, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets manager Terry Collins (10) watches the action from the dugout against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Ed Coleman (of WFAN) said there are guys on this team that are “done with Valdespin.” Is that true?

There’s guys in every clubhouse that for some reason rub people the wrong way…

On the team being terrible recently day in and day out:

The one thing you cannot show is panic and I’m not gonna panic. I’m as frustrated as anybody…I make sure that the guys know I have confidence in them. They’ve got to have confidence in themselves and they’ve got to believe in themselves…as far as our pitching goes…we gotta be better and I know we are better…nobody’s more upset than Dillon [Gee]. He’s just furious with himself, he knows he’s better. I told him ‘don’t panic.’

On Juan Lagares being over-matched at the plate:

One of these days we’re gonna get to a point here where our minor leaguers are gonna figure out how to be here…this kid is learning how to play at the major league level, and he’s had very little AAA time, but that’s what we have right now. We gotta do the best we can to help him get better.

Was he on board with the Rick Ankiel signing?

Yeah, I just thought he gave us a quality defender who’s dangerous when he gets hot. A veteran guy who can help out [Juan] Lagares and be a bat off the bench for us.

Does he worry that the team will tune him out?

I’m not gonna throw my hands up. I did that before (in Anaheim), it didn’t work. In other places I’ve been, we’ve needed to make deals and we didn’t make ‘em and it got to me. I walk out there every day and I worry about the guys who are out there…I got down on guys years ago and it cost me…I’m not gonna let that happen again…I’m responsible for who plays…it’s not because they’re not trying, we’ve just gotta do a better job of executing.

On him not liking Ruben Tejada’s approach at the plate recently:

He’s gotta stay on top of the baseball…when he’s effective, it’s when he’s hitting ground balls and line drives. I told him ‘you’re either tired or you’re changing your approach.’ He’s gotta stop that.

Why hasn’t Ike Davis been sent down?

I’m well aware that he’s gotta get going…last night, nothing to show for it, he and Lucas [Duda] hit the ball very well…I’m not asking you to get base on balls, I’m asking you to drive in runs. Therefore, when you get balls in the strike zone, you’ve gotta start putting them in play.

Can he sense that the recent poor play is wearing on his players?

I can sense there’s a little pressing going on…the coaches, the captain of our team, we’ve gotta stand up here and be the guys that are positive…getting them ready to play every day…we haven’t changed our clubhouse..we’re not banning stuff, turning TV’s off. This is the big leagues, and it takes a special kind of person to play here and we’re trying to get that through to these guys.

On Shaun Marcum:

Shaun told me the other day that this is the best he’s felt since he came to spring training. It (Marcum’s poor performance thus far) shows the ramifications of what happens when you don’t have spring…we need him tonight desperately to give us a good game.

On the bullpen turnover and overuse:

I feel terrible, I know we’re wearing some of these guys out…that’s why it comes down to the starting pitching…when you go to your bullpen as much as we have and as early as we have, you’re gonna have some tough games.

On his comments yesterday regarding the fact that he doesn’t answer to the fans:

I respect the fans immensely…certainly I meant no harm, no disrespect to them. I hope that’s cleared up.

 

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Matt Harvey got the start for the Mets and was clearly without his best stuff.  Still, the only runs he gave up came in the third inning.  After the Mets had taken a 1-0 lead on a Lucas Duda solo homer, Harvey allowed a leadoff homer to Clint Barmesin the bottom of the frame as the Pirates knotted the score at 1.  After recording the first out, the next three batters reached base.  Harvey issued two walks around a soft single through the vacated hole at shortstop to set up a bases loaded, none out situation.  He bared down from there, though, giving up a sacrifice fly that made it 2-1 Pirates before escaping the inning.

May 12, 2013; Queens, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey (33) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/The Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports Images

After the third, Harvey settled in and gave up only two hits the rest of the way.  The score remained 2-1 Pittsburgh until the 7th, when Mike Baxter drove in John Buck with an RBI single.  The Mets had a chance to take the lead with Justin Turner at the plate but failed to capitalize.

Scott Rice came in to record the first out of the eighth, and was curiously left in to face Andrew McCutchen with Brandon Lyon ready in the pen.  Rice walked McCutchen, and he came around to score the go-ahead and eventual winning run later in the frame when Bobby Parnell allowed a flare hit to left with two outs.

The Mets had a golden opportunity in their half of the eighth.  With runners on first and third and one out, Ike Davis struck out swinging before Lucas Duda hit a ball that caromed off the first base bag and bounced right to Clint Barmes who fired to first for the out.  It was incredibly bad luck for the Mets, and their last real chance of the afternoon as they ultimately fell 3-2.

Highlights:

•  Matt Harvey (no decision) got the start for the Mets and was strong despite lacking command and not having his best stuff.  He allowed 2 runs (both earned) in 7 innings, while allowing 5 hits and striking out 4.  He walked 2 and hit a batter.  His ERA for the year stands at 1.44.

• Mike Baxter continues to come through in the clutch.  He delivered a game tying single in the 7th.

• Ike Davis looked lost at the plate during his at bat in the 8th inning.  His cut at the pitch he struck out on was one of the ugliest he’s taken all year.

• Bobby Parnell was summoned to get the final out in the eighth inning and pitched the ninth as well.  He tossed 30 pitches.

Thoughts:

Another tremendous effort from Harvey that results in a no-decision.  Another strange bullpen move from Terry Collins (allowing Rice to pitch to McCutchen), and another lethargic performance by the offense.  It’s nearly impossible to win when you have no margin for error, and that’s the unenviable position the Mets are in at the moment.

Next Up:

The Mets travel to St. Louis tomorrow for the first of a four game set against the Cardinals at 7 PM.  Jeremy Hefner gets the start for New York.

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