Mets' Manager Jerry Manuel May Be Fired

The New York Mets are reeling and manager Jerry Manuel is undoubtedly feeling the heat as rumors begin to swirl that he could be fired sooner rather than later.

Manuel took over as Mets manager in June of 2008 when former manager Willie Randolph was unceremoniously fired. Randolph, in just under three and a half years as Mets manager, had a 302 and 253 record for a .544 winning percentage. In the two plus seasons since he took over, Manuel is 175 and 179; a .494 winning percentage.

But the rationale for firing Jerry Manuel goes beyond a comparison of his record Willie Randolph's While it is always difficult to gauge exactly what the impact a manager has on his team's record, this Mets team, similarly to the last two years' editions, has played well below its ability.

While this is not a team that would be, objectively, a worthy rival of the New York Yankees, the team has been absolutely listless in the days leading up to and since the All Star Break.

No, Jerry Manuel is not solely responsible, at least directly, for the Mets' current sixteen inning scoreless streak. The old bromide that the manager cannot hit or pitch for his players has endured for a reason. But ultimately he is responsible for the bigger picture...and for the Mets, the bigger picture is not good.

With the third highest payroll in the National League, the Mets, at this point, at best a mediocre team. Their play seems disinterested, their preparation lacking and their results in recent weeks abysmal. They are 3 and 11 in their last 14 games; three of which were against one of the worst teams in baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks, who swept them.

Tonight, Mets General Manager Omar Minaya refused to quell speculation that major changes were on the way as he would not confirm that the coaching staff under Manuel was safe before their next game on Tuesday.

When asked if the coaching staff was safe, Manuel said, "I don't want to talk about that. I feel everybody here is trying hard. I could tell you the staff is trying hard. If you ask me (about) the overall performance that has happened, of course I'm not happy. Nobody is happy. Guys are doing the best they can. But we're going to continue to sit down with Jerry (Manuel) and continue to evaluate how we can get better."

The Mets are currently in third place in the National League East by eight games in the loss column. Even worse, they are in seventh place and six games behind in the Wild Card chase.

The Mets season is hanging in the balance. Jerry Manuel may not be here to see how it turns out.

Source: Andy Martino, "R.A. Dickey, Jerry Manuel argue in 1-0 Mets loss to Dodgers; Omar Minaya won't back coaching staff", nydailynews.com