Terry Collins: Is Now The Time?

Stories have circulated this week that the Mets were happy with Terry Collins‘s work, and were considering a contract extension for the skipper. While the team has been playing well since ‘Super Tuesday”, the timing of this news is somewhat suspect. The season still has almost two months to go, and the Mets are coming off of two consecutive years where they have melted in the second half under Collins.

Jul 31, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets manager Terry Collins (10) looks on during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

I have been and am a supporter of Terry Collins. While he may not be the best manager in baseball, he certainly has done an admirable job given the players he has been provided. I liken Terry’s plight to a salesman who was given a company car to do the job, and then was expected to achieve the same results when the car was taken away and replaced by a scooter. Think about it. Since the day Collins took the job, he’s lost Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, and Johan Santana (this year and in 2011). That’s the beginning of an all-star team. It’s no secret that the Mets are operating on a budget, and Collins has delivered respectable results despite that (77-85, 74-84, 49-59).

There are a few reasons why now may not be the time to extend Terry Collins’s contract. First, this season is not complete. The biggest blemish on Terry’s record is the second-half swoons of the last two seasons. That can still happen in 2013. Second, managers are like players in the sense that one never knows who may be available in the off-season. Take, for example, the Los Angeles of Anaheim. They’re under-achieving for the second year in a row. After this season, would they dismiss Mike Scioscia? If the Angels were to do that, would Scioscia be someone who the Mets could consider? How about Robin Ventura? What if the White Sox are disappointed with their season, and make a change at manager? I just don’t see why it makes sense to re-sign Collins now, without exploring the market for potential managers after this season.

The Mets have many decisions to make after this season. Several players are being evaluated, and we hear every day that the jury is still out on many of these players. Maybe the jury should still be out on Terry Collins as well. I’m not suggesting that Collins has to go (as many do). I’m simply asking the Mets to not make a hasty decision, based on six weeks’ of improved performance.

What do you think the Mets should do about the managerial situation?

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