Recap: Manuel on Duda, Mejia and Player Comments
Today on WFAN, Jerry Manuel said Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, Jon Niese, Jenrry Mejia and RA Dickey are locked in as his rotation from this point forward.
Also, he plans to address the team, ‘when all the pieces are here,’ to talk about reports of players wanting to join Jeff Francoeur on his way to the Texas Rangers… in fact, he seemed quite annoyed about such reported remarks.
In regards to the team trading Jeff Francoeur, he pointed out that Francoeur was not very good against right-handed pitching, which is something the team is need of right now, which is part of the reason Lucas Duda was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo.
As such, Manuel told reporters before tonight’s game that he intends to start Duda five or six times over the next week, as the team’s will be facing right-handed pitchers.
Manuel also essentially said:
- The trading of Jeff Francoeur doesn’t signal to him or the team that management has given up.
- He is still holding out hope that the team can catch fire, with the inevitable return of Angel Pagan and Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran ‘finding his legs.’
- He is aware of rumors that his job is in jeopardy.
- He has no issue with Wally Backman saying he probably could do a better job as manager of the Mets than Manuel.
- He is positive there are lots of people who would love to replace him in the dugout, such as Backman, Ken Obkerfell, Bob Melvin, Tim Teufel, among others, because it’s a great job to have.
- He was not aware of Oliver Perez’s comments about the team treating him unfairly, noting that, from his point of view, ‘Perez has been treated VERY well.’
- He is thinking ‘futuralistically,’ and would love to continue managing the Mets and have the opportunity to bring the fans a Championship.
- Jeff Wilpon told him in advance that he was simply coming to Atlanta to watch the team play, and that no one’s job was on the line.
To listen to Manuel’s entire 20–minute interview, go here.
