Talk Is Cheap

I had hoped to shelve the “Manuel Being Manuel” category until at least spring training. Unfortunately, everyone’s favorite zen master couldn’t contain himself through the winter months.

Jerry Manuel spoke with reporters in Indianapolis today, and Brian Costa provides the “highlights” of the conversation.

Among them:

– Manuel claims not to feel threatened by the hirings of Wally Backman, Terry Collins, and Bob Melvin. But he does admit that the Mets need to get off to a hot start for him to keep his job.

– Manuel states that Daniel Murphy is his starting first baseman in 2010. I recall a similar statement regarding left field last winter.

– Manuel also states that Bobby Parnell will NOT be a starter in 2010. It’s back to the bullpen for Parnell.

– Manuel says he’s not lobbying the front office for any big trades or signings (oy, there’s that “lobby” word again). I imagine he prefers to have the front office to blame when things don’t go well in April and May.

– And now the clincher, taken verbatim from Costa’s article:

A Philadelphia TV reporter asked Manuel how much longer the Phillies can remain the dominant team in the NL East. “Probably until spring training,” he said. “Then the Mets will take over.” He then went on to say that no, actually, the Phillies are the team to beat, and said the Mets can’t be considered as such because they haven’t done anything.

Dear lord. Even as a joke, that’s not funny. And you know that the second part of that quote — the part establishing that Manuel isn’t serious, will get cut when this quote is republished hundreds of times around the internet and in newspapers across the US. Open mouth, insert foot. Well done.