Here I sit trying to think of what to write and since the big story is Joe Maddon opting out of his contract, I'll begin there. I can't help but think how the Mets have been so wishy washy when trying to decide if they want Terry Collins as their manager. This current Mets team reminds me of the Rays a little bit. Joe Maddon took a team with some mild "rays" of hope and brought them to the postseason a few times! The Rays didn't have much more than pitching and defense. The Mets have pitching, their defense can be spotty, but I think if they can find the right shortstop their defense can go up significantly. I like what they've done through their minor league system but they still aren't ready to make a playoff push, especially with everyone in that division getting better with possibly the exception of the Phillies. I wouldn't mind seeing Joe Maddon in a Mets uniform as I see his fire and ability to bring young players together and to that next level. There really aren't many managers I would trade for Terry Collins, mainly because I think most managers are more of the same and a manager can only do so much. They can't actually hit you that walk-off homerun in the ninth inning but it's more what they bring to the game in knowledge and chemistry. I am on the fence about Terry Collins, he's been given the same kind of team as the Rays and hasn't been able to do much with him. While Joe Maddon took his teams the playoffs in a division that is more competitive than the N.L. East. It just stinks that by the time the Mets decide Terry Collins isn't the right manager, Joe Maddon will be in his second or third year with a new team. Do you think Joe Maddon is a Hall of Fame manager? Do you think Terry Collins is the right manager for this team and can take this team (with an addition or two) to the playoffs?
Kevin Long. How much of a deal is the hitting coach? I think he will help a little bit but with all the different hitting stances, it's a difficult job. Kevin Long will hopefully bring Curtis Granderson to batting around .270. Hopefully he is able to bring a new approach to the team: aggressive and line drives to hit the gaps. The ballpark is a great ballpark for gap hitters and other than Duda they should all be looking for the gaps. The Kansas City Royals were able to make it to the World Series with only 95 homeruns, only proving that you don't need homeruns to win games, just timely hitting and base stealing. Do you think Kevin Long will strive in a Mets uniform? Do you think Long is the voice for hitting the Mets have been looking for?
Final thought: It doesn't matter the coaches, the product on the field needs to improve. The Mets are only a couple of players away from being that real 90 win team looking to be in the playoff hunt come September! Hopefully the Mets are able to make the moves that are needed to improve this team!
