New York Mets: Is Manager Terry Collins on the Hot Seat

By Nikhil Potpally | Aug 6, 2016

Jun 23, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets manager Terry Collins (10) shown in the dugout during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Mets 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

With the New York Mets currently outside the playoff picture, should we be concerned about the future of manager Terry Collin?

After a remarkable run to the World Series in 2015, the 2016 season has not been what fans expected it to be. Last summer after the trading deadline, the New York Mets shocked the league and went on an amazing stretch that eventually brought them to the World Series.

This year, the Mets have been hampered by injuries and do not look to be in a position to achieve the same success. Currently, the Mets are a handful of games behind the Washington Nationals within the NL East and are also trailing in the second wild-card race. If things do not change for the team, it is possible that the team moves on from manager

Currently, the Mets are nine games behind the Washington Nationals within the NL East and are also trailing second place wild-card race by two games. If things do not change for the team, it is possible that the team moves on from manager Terry Collins.

Last year, Collins was almost on the hot seat but was saved when the Mets had a remarkable second half. He did a great job keeping the team within striking distance before the trading deadline, without having any offensive weapons. When he was provided offensive help, in the form of Yoenis Cespedes, Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe, he managed the team deep into the playoffs.

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A major factor to his success last year was utilizing the “hit-or-be-benched” philosophy after the trading deadline. He couldn’t say that earlier in the season because he had no offense at all. After the trades, he was not afraid to bench struggling players in favor of others who were playing better.

This motto worked wonders for the team and motivated everyone to play better. This season, it doesn’t look like he is enforcing that philosophy at all. There have been many games this season where a player is hitting well, but Terry benches him the next day. A prime example was when

This season, it doesn’t look like he is enforcing that philosophy at all. There have been many games this season where a player is hitting well, but Collins benches him the next day. A prime example was when Wilmer Flores was tearing the cover off the ball against the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins, but was replaced by the slumping Neil Walker the next day. I know Walker was brought in as a starter, but if this were last year, Collins wouldn’t hesitate to insert Flores until he cools off.

Aside from the brilliant offensive motto he preached last year, there were also many situations where Terry made the wrong move but was bailed out by his players. Because the Mets went to the World Series, no one cared about those mistakes. If they missed the playoffs, fans wouldn’t have been happy with his in-game managing.

Whether removing a starting pitcher too quickly, bringing in the wrong reliever or constructing questionable lineups, Terry made many head-scratching decisions last year. Unfortunately, these mistakes are still evident this year, and his in-game managing is not among the game’s best.

Whether these mistakes lead to the team missing the playoffs in 2016 remains to be seen, but I think the front office should entertain the possibility of a new manager in 2017 (especially if the team doesn’t turn it around). Even with the injuries, there are many capable players on the Mets’ roster who should be playing better than they are. 2016 has been a very mediocre year for the team and has not met expectations. A deep postseason run does not look imminent.

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2015 may have saved Terry’s managing career, but a disappointing 2016 puts him right back on the hot seat. Unless the team turns it around in August and September, fans might want to see someone else managing the team in 2017.

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