All Hands On Deck

As quoted by Adam Rubin on ESPN, Terry Collins said this when questioned about the availability of Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard for game 5 of the NLDS:

“We’re going to be smart about it,” Collins said. “We’re not going to be foolish and go right to Matt Harvey, say, if Jake’s in trouble in the second inning. I think we’ve got to be wise enough to know that this will be the first time he’s ever done something like this, too.”

Um, what?

News flash to Collins, Mets management, Harvey, Scott Boras, and anyone else involved in the decision-making process: this is an ELIMINATION game. That means, literally, win or go home. Which in turn means “all hands on deck.”

Collins’ response had nothing to do with any illogical innings limits boondoggle that may or may not be followed by Harvey or any other pitcher. Rather, Collins is suggesting that Harvey — and Syndergaard, for that matter — might not be brought in to the game because they’ve never before pitched in relief. What? Really?

Guess what? If Noah Syndergaard is needed to pitch in relief, he goes to the mound. If Lucas Duda needs to run to the bullpen to warm up a reliever, he’ll grab a mask and do it. If Jacob deGrom needs to leave the mound and play shortstop, then he’ll go there. Even though they’ve never done these things before. Because it’s potentially the last game of the season. It’s all or nothing. Everyone does whatever they need to do to win the game. This is not a time for “geez, I’d like to put the best guy possible into a spot, but he’s never before done it this way.” No. Every player understands what’s at stake, and will step up to do whatever is necessary. A manager hedging even a little bit is beyond comprehension. Further, if there IS concern about key pitchers never coming out of the bullpen before, then why wasn’t there thought or preparation of that three weeks ago?

Interested to hear your take on this. Fire away.

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
  1. Dan Capwell October 15, 2015 at 4:21 pm
    A Janish sighting! It must be a sign! Let’s Go Mets!!!!
  2. wohjr October 16, 2015 at 1:21 am
    thanks for this joe! you put us over the top
  3. DanS October 16, 2015 at 12:23 pm
    I think it might be time to give Collins some credit for the team’s success. He managed a good game last night, and in general has gotten the most out what until recently have been “garbage time” lineups in the past five season. Watching games on MLB.com, I don’t see as many as I’d like, but I can think of only one time two or three Junes ago when I thought the team seemed to be giving up on the season. And that didn’t last long. I think the worst thing a team can do is call it quits on the manager: ask Terry Francona or that knucklehead Matt Williams. Kudos to Collins for getting the most out of his guys, whether we agree with every decision he’s made or not.
  4. Colin October 19, 2015 at 4:53 pm
    Joe – I’ve enjoyed this blog from time to time for a couple of years. I think that you’d have to agree that this year Terry has managed the team better than you’ve managed the blog. News Flash to Joe: The blog needs to be updated after every game. ALL HANDS ON DECK. We’re 2-0 in the division series and there are a billion baseball related things to talk about and you are posting terrible renditions of meet the mets by some local band. THE ORIGINAL MEET THE METS IS UNTOUCHABLE! WRITE ABOUT OUR METS!!!!!!!! BLOG JOE BLOG! GET INTO THIS!
  5. Colin October 19, 2015 at 4:54 pm
    er, championship series.
  6. argonbunnies October 20, 2015 at 5:51 am
    Yeah, even just some sort of daily open thread for discussion would be nice. If everyone hasn’t already moved on, it’d be fun to swap thoughts with the MT crew. I have mostly moved on to chatting Mets over email with old college buddies, but, well, I’m checking in now!
    • Joe Janish October 24, 2015 at 5:03 pm
      Why didn’t you suggest this months ago? Good idea!
  7. Andy October 20, 2015 at 7:53 pm
    I miss Joe’s commentary, but we can’t fault him for having a life. Maybe it’s time to wrap up Mets Today and have the team here maybe contribute an occasional article on Amazin’ Avenue or something.
  8. DanB October 21, 2015 at 11:07 am
    Good teams carry their teammates when they are hurting or in a slump. I say we carry Joe, at least through the World Series. We can start our own dialogue right here. For example, how about how this Daniel Murphy guy is killing the Mets. Nobody is talking about how Murphy has made an out in 21 out of 33 atbats (63.6%) so far in the postseason. There were two games out of eight that he has not hit a homerun, relying on his teammates to carry him in those games. Most of his homeruns have been solo shots which makes me question how clutch he is. And his out of control baserunning continued in the post season — I have never seen a good baserunner try to steal a base on a walk before! Why doesn’t Collins sit him? I hope after tonight’s game, Collins will sit him until at least Oct. 27th.
    • DaveSchneck October 21, 2015 at 8:25 pm
      Dan,
      Just as I am reading this, Murph pops out on the first pitch. What is he thinking?

      I agree with you and AB – we’ll pick up Joe, Slim, Dan C, and the others. This spot suffices.And, there should be just as much to talk about with them playing well as there was for us to bemoan when they weren’t.

  9. Murder Slim October 21, 2015 at 12:27 pm
    I’m currently on the disabled list due to my dayjob but I’ll be reactivated on Saturday. And Murph will be part of that discussion… who could he not be? I’ve watched all the games with my mouth slowly opening. Flies have started to nest in there because my stunned awe continues. The Cubs are a very fine team and the Mets are playing… better. Consistently better. Pitching. Offense. Defense. Baserunning. Even TC’s moves are playing out well against Mighty Joe Maddon. Huh? That’s one of the happiest “huh” noises I’ve ever made. (Argonbunnies, get ready with the innuendo).
  10. Colin October 21, 2015 at 4:28 pm
    Rally Parakeet > Black Cat
    Rally Raccoon > Cursed Goat
    Seinfeld > Bartman
    Mets Arms > Cubs Bats

    deGrom was fantastic. Again. Wanted Terry to stick with him in the 8th but Clip was outstanding. Terry pulling all the strings. Cespy, Wright, Duda, and Wilmur coming out of it. The kid tonight. Probably with some help from Don Bartolo. Not touching the money in this series, but we’re in a really nice spot. The two things Terry and I have in common is that we’re not sleeping and our relationships with our wives are at an all time low.

  11. Colin October 22, 2015 at 11:40 am
    Today we woke up National League Champions.

    Magic number is 4.

    The run is not done.

  12. argonbunnies October 22, 2015 at 3:30 pm
    Awesome.

    Steve, my innuendo is also gathering flies. It’s in disuse since everything else got drowned out by exultation.