Mets: Honeymoon period over with manager Mickey Callaway

Mickey Callaway looked like a fine choice to manage the New York Mets. His first two weeks of the season went perfectly. Now he’s back to earth and the honeymoon looks over.

Terry Collins was the longest tenured manager of the New York Mets. He took them to the World Series, but after last season’s debacle, fans couldn’t hold the door for him to exit soon enough.

In came Mickey Callaway. There were a few changes to the Mets roster in the offseason, however, the players returning from injuries would be treated like acquisitions. Same players, new philosophy.

Two weeks into the season, every move Callaway made worked like a charm. The Mets had a 12-2 record, their best start in the history of the franchise.  Then, the bullpen gave up six runs in the eighth inning of a game that the Mets were leading by five, and since, the Mets have lost six of their last nine.

There have been huge team offensive slumps. Defense has alluded them lately. Other than Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom, the rotation has been a disaster. The relievers are walking the ballpark. Both of their catchers went down with injuries.

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The silver lining is these weaknesses are being exposed in April, as opposed to August, when it would be too late to correct. Callaway has been given a lot of rope by the fans, but they are starting to slowly turn on him with every blown game and a similar excuse that Collins used to say.

As I’ve said before, accountability is his best asset, and he needs to give consequences for poor play. The mentality has to be revived. Confidence must be restored. Changes must be made, immediately.

Sandy Alderson has to start working the phones and checking the waiver wire to find those diamonds in the rough. Dead weight on the team needs to go, and prospects need to come up. Jason Vargas will make his first start this weekend, but that’s just the beginning. Even though the team has a 15-8 record, it’s time for an April shakeup.

Callaway said today that the poor play will not continue. Talk is cheap, Mickey.

Fans need to see action and make a bold change. Removing Harvey from the rotation was one good change, but what about Steven Matz? What about Jose Reyes batting .100, or Jose Lobaton batting under .100?

The worst part is that there have been three games so far that the Mets had won, but lost due to bullpen blowups or defensive lapses. Sloppy play with a lack of fundamentals was a huge criticism of Terry Collins. Other than Ricky Bones, the entire coaching staff was replaced, including the head trainer. There are no more excuses, and it’s time to call players out for their bush league mistakes.

Next: Mets have two big moves they need to make

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I believe Callaway is a very smart man that is ultimately going to be successful as the manager of the Mets. His honeymoon was a short one, and now he has to put his money where his mouth is. Otherwise, it could be another long summer.