As the New Year approaches and all the Mets coverage will be about Tulowatch 2015, which is usually the case with whatever big name free agent Mets fans want but usually never get, the conversation should also still focus on the man who will be calling the shots during the game.
Despite not cracking 80 wins once as a head coach for the Mets or managing a playoff contending team since the 90s, Terry Collins was given another year in the dugout to manage the team the front office has been telling us to wait for since 2010. The argument can be made that he has not had the proper talent for him to win but how long will it take for the seat to get hotter under Terry if the team does not come out firing on all cylinders?
For the Mets to get off to the hot start we all are hopeful for the team is going to need stability and that starts with the head coach setting the tone making sure everyone knows their role on this team.
One of the biggest knock on his management has been the bullpen and that is a part of the team that is still in flux. Collins has said that Parnell will be the closer when he returns sometime in May but who will hold the role until he comes back and if they are successful should they just hand the ball back to Parnell who is coming off major arm surgery?
With the three outfield spots solidified and hopefully not a shortstop and catcher hitting around the Mendoza line, Collins needs a set line up and stick with it game in and game out to help get the players comfortable at the plate.
The biggest player this would have effect on is going to be Lucas Duda, the projected Mets cleanup hitter who hit 30 home runs despites spending the first two months going back and forth with Ike Davis. Sitting him whenever a lefty is starting as Collins has already suggested this year would suck the power out of a lineup that is already lacking in that department. Despite his low numbers against lefties his bat needs to stay in the line up in the four spot as much as possible.
So while people debate over just what prospects are expendable and if Tulowiski knows how to swing a bat outside of Coors field, lets also realize that the guy standing in the dugout will have a much larger impact this year over whoever is standing at short. If the team struggles early than much like 2014 the clock should be ticking on Terry Collins.
