Fansided

Mets give manager Terry Collins vote of confidence

By Justin McGuire

Apr 30, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets manager Terry Collins stands in the dugout against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets manager Terry Collins stands in the dugout against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Long-time New York Mets skipper Terry Collins has the backing of team ownership despite a disappointing season.

The struggling New York Mets, coming off two straight postseason appearances, have been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments in 2017. But manager Terry Collins will not take the fall — at least not yet.

Newsday, citing multiple sources, reports the team’s “ownership has given no indication of making a change in the near future despite the team’s struggles.”

Owner Fred Wilpon has emerged as Collins’ strongest advocate in the organization, the newspaper reports.

The Mets are 21-27 and trail the first-place Nationals by 8.5 games in the National League East. After winning the NL pennant in 2015 and playing in the wild-card game last season, the Mets expected better results in 2017.

But the team has been decimated by injuries. Ace Noah Syndergaard was shut down in early May and is unlikely to return until after the All-Star break, while closer Jeurys Familia needed surgery and could be out for the season.

All-Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, catcher Travis d’Arnaud and pitcher Steven Matz are among several other Mets who have missed time due to injuries.

At the same time, Collins has been criticized for some of his on-field moves, which often leave fans and front office officials alike fuming. Among the things he’s been hammered for: leaving starters in too long, using the wrong relievers in the wrong situations and giving way too much playing time to the struggling Curtis Granderson (.191/.265/.364).

General manager Sandy Anderson in particular has been irked by many of Collins’ decisions, the New York Post reports.

But as long as Wilpon backs Collins, none of that will matter.

Next: One prospect each MLB team should call up

The question is whether that support will continue if the Mets’ season continues to go south.

Collins, who recently became the team’s longest-tenured manager ever, is in the final year of his contract.

It’s not difficult to imagine Alderson & Co. deciding to get a head start on the future by making a change before the end of the season.

Home/New York Mets