Mets manager Terry Collins completely tone deaf regarding Michael Conforto

After a solid first start, Michael Conforto isn’t in tonight’s lineup. Terry Collins is essentially tone deaf.

After Conforto got his first start of the year, where he drew a bases loaded walk and smacked one of the hardest hit home runs in the majors this year, Collins not only took credit for putting him the lineup, but answered as follows when asked whether Conforto would be starting tonight in Philadelphia against the righty Aaron Eickoff:

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“Who am I going to sit?”

Cue every Mets fan’s jaw hitting the floor.

Once you really overanalyze, which Terry Collins has never seemed want to do, the answer is obvious.

It isn’t Jay Bruce, who is raking right now and should have every opportunity after such a seesaw will-he-or-won’t-he-be-traded offseason.

It shouldn’t be Yoenis Cespedes, who despite beginning the season slowly is a game-changer every time he steps up to the plate. Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of La Potencia.

So, who does that leave? Curtis Granderson, who is actually one of my favorites.

There is no denying the Grandy Man’s importance in that clubhouse and the veteran talent he provides. He has the potential for 30 home runs and has increased his on-base prowess in the last few seasons. That is what could make him such a valuable asset off the Mets bench.

Last year, in one particular game against the Twins, Granderson showed off his bench potential by hitting a game-tying pinch hit home run, then winning with a home run in extras. Case and extra-inning point (since this is what Terry referred to runs as last night on ESPN).

Terry seems to play from the gut too often when the numbers present themselves so painfully obviously in front of the guy. Not only has he been completely tone deaf with certain “LOOGYs” over the years, using, for example, Josh Smoker in situations where the numbers suggest he’s actually more effective against righties, but I guarantee he’ll need at least 80 people to show him the following numbers (yes, a small sample size, but still) before inserting Conforto into tonight’s lineup:

Conforto is the future and should be getting as many opportunities to prove as such. Sandy Alderson said in the offseason that Conforto will be playing every day, whether that is in the big leagues or in Triple-A. Please Sandy, if there was ever a time for you to intervene before Collins ruins everything, now would be the proper time.

Next: Mets’ road trip and first month is a huge in-division test

The answer is right in front of Terry Collins as to how to go about this Conforto conundrum. Unfortunately, Terry isn’t using the force while operating with the blast shield down.