Manuel Will Focus on Pitching and Defense
Pitchers and catchers have yet to report, yet we’re already being treated to “Manuel Being Manuel”.
A few weeks ago on MetsBlog, it was reported that Jerry Manuel will be focusing on pitching and defense this year:
“Pitching and defense, that’s going to be the game plan. We spent a lot of time last spring on the hitting program. We think we have that in place. It probably needs some tweaking here and there, but we have to play better interior defense. And if we can do that, we feel it will make our pitchers better. That’s going to be the big emphasis.”
First off, what in the world is “interior defense”? Does that mean “infield defense”? Some kind of self-defense (such as karate or tae-kwon-do) in the clubhouse? And, if there is “interior defense”, is there also “exterior defense” ?
Also concerning is Manuel reminding us all of the special focus put on developing offensive skills last spring. For those who forgot, it was centered around Manuel’s inane and exhausting “100-swing drill”, and an emphasis on hitting to the opposite field.
Anyone recall how that offensive strategy worked out last summer? Perhaps you can ask David Wright … or simply check out the Mets’ final hitting stats.
After seeing the results of last spring’s “focus on offense”, I can’t wait to witness how the “pitching and defense focus” works out in 2010.
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 Read more
Mets Hire Bob Melvin
Who says the Mets aren’t active at the winter meetings? They just acquired another replacement for Jerry Manuel.
According to Joel Sherman and confirmed by David Lennon, the Mets have signed 2007 NL Manager of the Year Bob Melvin to be a Major League scout.
Interesting that both Melvin and Wally Backman are now employed by the same organization. Further interesting that Jerry Manuel has so many managerial candidates around him.
Is J.P. Ricciardi also on the Mets’ wish list, to help Wayne Krivsky keep Omar Minaya on his toes?
Manuel Motivated – Minaya Next?
So far, the Mets are making good on their promise to overhaul the entire organization, from top to bottom.
It is no coincidence that a number of former managers — such as Bob Melvin and Eric Wedge — were considered for Jerry Manuel’s coaching staff, nor that at least two possible replacements for Manuel (Wally Backman, Terry Collins) have been hired for ancillary positions in the organization.
Such moves and considerations make it crystal clear that Manuel is on the hot seat, and will be under a magnifying glass from the beginning of spring training. Some might call it “motivation”.
But Manuel is not the only one on the hot seat — his boss Omar Minaya may be similarly “motivated”. Read more
Jauss In, Alomar Out
Stop the presses! The Mets have hired Dave Jauss as their bench coach for 2010!
I can envision people dancing in the streets upon hearing this extraordinary news.
Seriously, though, it’s an interesting choice. Clearly, Jauss is Read more
Blogosphere is Down On Jerry Manuel
It’s only been a few weeks, but most of the blogosphere is unhappy with the Mets’ decision to bring back Jerry Manuel as manager. Metstradamus is the most recent, asking Jerry, “What Have You Learned?”
Similarly, Mike Steffanos of MikesMets does not approve of Jerry Manuel’s re-election.
Also on MikesMets, Barry Duchan posts his winter predictions for the Mets.
Andrew Vazzano has done a very quick rundown / analysis on the Mets’ pitching staff — in a format that would make Mick Jones and Joe Strummer proud.
Also a hat tip to TheRopolitans for this video of Oktoberfest at Citi Field (if only I’d known!):
Deja Vu All Over Again
This past Mets season was a failure, and the brass made several public appearances to apologize and explain it away, while also announcing the beginning of changes that were coming in the offseason.
Sound familiar?
As Yogi Berra said, “it’s deja vu all over again”.
Around this time last year, Jerry Manuel and his coaching staff were under evaluation. Click that link and read MetsToday’s take on the situation one year ago. In particular, note this comment:
By the way, Jerry Manuel has made a public statement regarding his goal to stress fundamentals with the ‘09 club.
If you dare, follow that link to the MLB.com article in which Manuel expounds on his plans for better fundamentals, “team over individual”, and “a more mature approach”.
The best-laid plans of mice and men …
And speaking of plans, you may want to go back to this post from October 23, 2008, which breaks down Jeff Wilpon’s interview with Mike Francesa. Feel free to compare and contrast to the most recent meeting between Wilpon and Francesa.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Manuel Mystery Tour
Matthew Artus of Always Amazin called the Mets’ multiple press appearances a “curious epilogue to 2009” and included a graphic resembling the cover from the old Beatles’ album “Magical Mystery Tour”. Fitting, and well done, Mr. Artus. (Kids, an “album” was what music was once played on, and “The Beatles” were a popular rock band from the 1960s.)
Artus summed up the mystery with, Read more
Manuel On Auditions: FAIL!
With the late season auditions almost over, Jerry Manuel has proclaimed failure. We don’t know who Jerry is referring to specifically when he talks about the players who have “had a good shot … but … haven’t taken advantage of it”, but we can guess. Among those who have been given opportunities (or expanded roles) due to injuries include Read more
More Slick Talk from Manuel
For our latest edition of “Manuel Being Manuel”, we have this from Jerry Manuel, stated in an interview with Mike Francesa on WFAN: Read more
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