Mets say Terry Collins’ job isn’t in danger

Despite four losing seasons, a poor 60-game stretch, and a recent five-game losing streak that featured anemic offense and both mental and physical errors, Mike Puma of the New York Post is reporting that Mets manager Terry Collins is not in danger of losing his job.

Writes Puma:

"Despite the drudgery, organizational officials have insisted Collins’ job is not in jeopardy as the Mets prepare for six straight games against NL Central weaklings, the Brewers and Reds.Though Collins is unsigned beyond this season and would be an easy scapegoat, there is a “we’re all in it together” sense within the organization, according to a source, as the front office and manager work toward finding a solution to the team’s dreadful offensive production."

Since opening the season with a 14-4 record, the Mets have gone 22-31. After their recent five-game losing streak, they’ve dropped to second place in the N.L. East, 1.5 games behind the Nationals.

Thoughts:

While the poor roster construction is not Terry Collins’ fault and he is not the main person to blame for the team’s recent woes, it’s fair to point out that he’s simply not a good tactical manager.

From the time Collins was hired until now, it’s always been mentioned that he’s a solid motivator and a strong presence in the clubhouse. That’s all well and good. However, ever since Bobby Valentine was fired over a decade ago, the Mets have been led by managers who left a lot to be desired as far as in-game management is concerned. It would be wise to fix that, regardless of what the roster looks like.

More from New York Mets News

• NY Mets: Trade market for starting pitchers feels non-existent
• NY Mets need to call the Athletics about a Matt Chapman trade
• NY Mets dream starting lineup for the 2022 season
• NY Mets offseason makeover might be a simple “She’s All That” situation
• NY Mets: 8 Ex-Amazins who killed it with other teams in 2021

Yes, Collins has had a poor hand to deal with during the majority of his tenure, but he’s also shown that he is severely lacking when it comes to bullpen management, late-game maneuvers, lineup construction, and more.

More often than not, when Collins makes a decision that is first-guessed as poor, his reasoning for it after the game is either flawed or contradictory.

For example, after Collins removed Jacob deGrom from this past Friday’s game after having thrown just 97 pitches, Collins said that the reason he took him out was because it was a hot night and enough was enough. However, later in the same interview, Collins said that if deGrom had gotten Pedro Ciriaco out, he would’ve left him in. In actuality, deGrom mace the pitch to get Ciricao out, but Wilmer Flores botched the play.

The above is just one example of many. Others include Collins double-switching Juan Lagares out of a one-run game last season, double-switching Curtis Granderson in to a one-run game this season, bunting in situations that don’t call for bunts, overusing Jeurys Familia, using Jack Leathersich (who has reverse platoon splits) as a lefty specialist, and repeatedly failing to use Travis d’Arnaud as a pinch hitter late in games the Mets are trailing by just one run.

Again, the roster construction isn’t Collins’ fault. But shouldn’t he be held accountable for the litany of poor moves he makes each week? Regardless of the roster he has to work with, all of those poor moves can’t be excused.

In any event, regardless of what the Mets say, it’s hard to see Collins keeping his job if the team continues to slide in the standings. Collins is not under contract for next season and Sandy Alderson seriously weighed letting him go after 2014. If the Mets don’t snap out of their funk soon, Collins will likely be the first person to pay for it.