Note: Jerry Manuel and His Coaches
Update, 11:15 am:
The Brewers are considering whether to hire Rick Peterson to be their pitching coach, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.
Original Post:
This weekend, Jerry Manuel told reporters he expects to meet with GM Omar Minaya and ownership the day after the season ends to discuss his coaching staff.
According to MLB.com, “There have been indications that batting coach Howard Johnson and pitching coach Dan Warthen will be retained. There have been no such indications involving third-base coach Razor Shines.”
…actually, i still do not believe it is 100 percent certain that manuel will be back… from what i recall, the team’s coaching staff will be up for new contracts at the end of this season… i bet Howard Johnson is back next season, since the team is among the best in baseball in batting average, OBP, batting average with runners in scoring position, doubles and triples – not to mention i hear players enjoy working with him, especially Jeff Francoeur… the jury is still out on pitching coach Dan Warthen… however, i bet Razor Shines will be replaced, as will others…
…the thing is, manuel should not be a guarantee to return… i hope minaya and his staff take a long-hard look at the quality of play, not only by the last man on the roster, but by the team’s veterans… i mean, it was a sloppy season, to say the least… there were countless dropped pop ups, poor throws, miscues on the base paths, some lacked hustle, and there was a constant issue with poor focus…
In case you missed it, on Saturday, David Wright apologized to his teammates for making two baserunning mistakes that cost his team a run, first he forgot their were two outs and did not run on contact during a double by Francoeur; then, a few moments later, jogged from third across home plate, but not before Francoeur was tagged out at second to end the inning before Wright scored.
As such, in a post to NY Baseball Digest, Mike Silva explains why now is the time to fire Manuel, writing:
“(Wright’s mistake) was a perfect example of what is wrong with this team… Maybe it’s unfair to fire Jerry after the injuries this season. Before the DL engulfed the team he had them on a 97–win pace. Last year they played about .600 ball after he took over… Someone needs to take the fall for this teams
embarrassing play. Firing Jerry Manuel almost becomes a necessity.”
…i am far less concerned about who is to blame, who will take the fall, etc., and more concerned with who is the best person to lead this team next season… if the Mets intend to play a more fundamental-style of baseball, less-power and more speed, taking the extra base, etc., they need a smart, Xs-and-Os manager who can look ahead, think on his feet, and make adjustments…
…if Jerry Manuel is that man, great, keep him… if he isn’t, then the Mets need to find someone who is…
