Tag Archives: Jerry Manuel

Jul 01

Reyes: Give him another day.

Posted on by

Jose Reyes remains questionable for tonight’s game with the Washington Nationals with stiffness in his lower back.

The Mets might be off the rug tonight in Washington, but if Jerry Manuel holds to form of sitting a player the day after he’s removed from a game by injury – or in this case, from pre-game batting practice – then Reyes will sit.

And, he should.

REYES: Give him another day.

Reyes isn’t porcelain china, but he’s extraordinarily valuable to this team and should be protected.  The Mets made remarkable strides in June and would risk taking a step back if Reyes were to aggravate this injury and go on one of those prolonged “he’s ready, he’s not ready,’’ situations.

Presumably, this isn’t a serious injury and another day or two shouldn’t hurt. The last thing the Mets need is to push Reyes unnecessarily and risk losing him.

Jun 17

Bay update

Posted on by

BAY: Day to day.

Jason Bay has a bruised left quad muscle from his collision last night with Indians first baseman Andy Marte.

Bay stayed in the game but was eventually removed when the bruise “knotted up,’’ as he put it and replaced by Jesus Feliciano.

The Mets list him as day-to-day.

It is Jerry Manuel’s policy to normally sit a player the game after he removes him because of an injury so don’t be surprised to see Feliciano start tonight against Cleveland’s Jake Westbrook.

Jun 11

Mets Chat Room: There’s chemistry here.

Posted on by

The Mets are a flawed team, but one of them isn’t attitude.

Game #61 at Orioles

When asked what he liked best about his team he said “character,’’ that he has 25 players who mostly hustle and not give up on the play.

It has created a sense of chemistry. These Mets, unlike previous teams in recent years, really like each other and it goes beyond a whipped cream pie to the face during a TV interview.

These Mets genuinely like each other and it shows. Catch glimpses in the dugout during a game and you might see Johan Santana showing the grip of his change-up to another pitcher, or Jason Bay demonstrating hitting mechanics, in particular, how his shoulders are dropping.

The Mets have struggled at times, but they’ve never quit on Jerry Manuel and his message. Manuel has the clubhouse.

Continue reading →

Jun 11

Does trouble await the Mets on the road?

Posted on by

ORIOLES: Mets must be serious.

All too often this season, the Mets gave up the ground, confidence and groove they’ve had at home once they hit the road.

Only this time, the Mets aren’t going to San Diego or Philadelphia, but Baltimore to face the horrible Orioles and then on to Cleveland.

The talk-shows have already given the Mets a 4-2 or 5-1 trip before heading into Yankee Stadium a week from today.

It doesn’t work that way. You have to play the games first and the Orioles have beaten the Yankees twice and beat up the Red Sox in a series.

If what Jerry Manuel said is correct, that the Mets alter their offensive approach on the road because of some of the smaller stadiums, they have to be doubly careful this weekend, beginning tonight, at cozy Camden Yards.

Continue reading →

May 14

May 14.10: Chat Room, Game #36 at Florida: Perez and offense sputtering.

Posted on by

Two notes to pay attention to tonight: Will Oliver Perez find home plate and will the hitters finally wake up?

Perez is coming off another miserable start, walking a season-high seven and hitting a batter in 3 1/3 innings in a loss to San Francisco. He has walked 25 in 30 innings.

Perez is winless in his last seven starts but Jerry Manuel said he’ll stay in the rotation.

“I am disappointed in myself,’’ Perez said. “I’ve got to be better than that. I know what I have to do.’’

The Mets aren’t hitting at all, especially on the road where they are averaging less than four runs a game with a .208 average.

“We have to start swinging the bats,” Manuel said. “We have to take note these next couple of days where we are as an offensive club. And if we continue to see the same thing, then I’m going to have to make some adjustments to the lineup.’’

May 14

May 14.10: Reyes moving back?

Posted on by

.Several days ago I suggested a revamping of the batting order, which included moving Jose Reyes back to the leadoff situation and David Wright second. The moves also included moving Ike Davis up to fifth.

After last night’s game Jerry Manuel suggested line-up changes were coming but would not elaborate. I am hoping he realizes his intentions, although well meaning, aren’t working.

The numbers say Reyes isn’t hitting whether it be first or third in the order, so why change?

Normally, I wouldn’t move a guy just because he’s unhappy, but Reyes is in a definite funk and the Mets need to get him better. They juggled things to get Jason Bay going; they need to do the same to get Reyes going again.

Reyes’ professional identity is as a leadoff hitter and that’s been stripped from him and you can tell in his body language and demeanor he’s frustrated. I recently told him, “you know, Babe Ruth hit third.”

He was not amused, although he has been swinging like the Bambino.

For years we’ve been told Reyes is the ignition to the Mets’ offense as the leadoff hitter, and it is time to move him back. Reyes, because of injuries last year and perhaps a damaged psyche this spring, hasn’t been Reyes since 2008. It’s time to get him back

Apr 25

April 25.10: Is Bay warming up a coincidence?

Posted on by

Jason Bay is starting to warm up, but it is premature to say the line-up switch lit the fire. Dropping Jose Reyes from leadoff to third is, in theory, supposed to provide Bay with more fastballs.

After a RBI triple Friday and three hits yesterday, Bay said: “It’s really only relevant if Reyes is on first or second,’’ Bay said. “I haven’t noticed a huge difference. I think it coincides with me feeling lot better.’’

Bay is too good a hitter for results to not eventually show. Bay said he’s not there, yet, but does feel more relaxed at the plate.

“A few hits I’ve gotten and at-bats I’ve taken, I feel a lot more comfortable and it’s starting to show,’’ said Bay, who has struck out 23 times, but none since the switch.

Bay is right, to fully see the merits of the switch we have to have multiple situations of Bay up with Reyes in steal situations. The one time we had that, Reyes stole second and went to third on a wild throw.

For Jerry Manuel’s switch to work, we need a broader sampling of at-bats.