Tag: Willie Randolph

Poll Results: Randolph Is The Biggest Problem

The Mets Report latest reader poll results are in. Thank you to those that participated.

The question was “What is the biggest problem for the Mets this season?”. The results are:

30%- Manager

26%- Hitting

19%- Bullpen

11%- Fans booing

11%- Starting pitchers

4%- Front office

0%- Media

The majority of the respondents answered that the manager and hitting are the biggest problems. There’s plenty of talk about Willie Randolph being on the hot seat. But I don’t hear any talk about hitting coach Howard Johnson being in trouble. Maybe Johnson is getting a pass because he’s a former Met.

It’s also noteworthy that the media received no votes. Randolph made it clear that he thinks SNY’s coverage is a big problem. So we have a major disconnect between Randolph and the fans on that point.

What are your thoughts? Comment below.

Mets Have Problems, I Have Solutions

The first two months of the season have proven that the New York Mets have an average record with above average talent. That’s on the manager. Beyond managerial problems, the Mets have several issues on their roster. Not every problem can be solved easily but there are some quick, inexpensive solutions.

Problems:

  1. Manager– Willie Randolph briefly lost his mind while speaking to Ian O’Connor of the Bergen Record on Sunday. If Randolph can’t keep it together better than that he shouldn’t be leading this team. It’s as simple as that.
  2. First base– Carlos Delgado has turned into an automatic out. But even during losing streaks and blowout loses he continues to smile and yuk it up at first base with the opposing team.
  3. Left field– Moises Alou is a natural-born hitting machine. He’s also chronically on the disabled list.
  4. Second base– Luis Castillo was just signed to a four year contract prior to this season, as hard as that is to believe. His legs look like they could give out at any moment. His game depends on speed and range in the field and now he doesn’t have either.
  5. Bullpen– Aaron Heilman can’t figure out how to get hitters out this season. He swings back and forth between walking batters and giving up home runs. That’s a bad combination.
  6. Starting pitching– Pedro Martinez and El Duque on the disabled list since the beginning of the season has hurt the Mets badly. The gaping holes in the rotation have exposed Mike Pelfrey, Nelson Figueroa, and Claudio Vargas.

Wow, that’s a big list of problems! Although the list appears to be insurmountable, it’s not. Continue reading “Mets Have Problems, I Have Solutions”

Mets News Today: Wilpon, Alou, and Martinez

ESPN reports that Mets COO Jeff Wilpon didn’t return Willie Randolph’s voicemail before he made his public apology for the SNY and race comments. Jay Horowitz said that Omar Minaya returned the call on behalf of Mets ownership. I think that says it all. Randolph is done, put that in the books!

Moises Alou left yesterday’s game against the Braves in the middle of the third inning because of tightness in his left calf. He’s back in New York today for an MRI. Early reports are that it’s a muscle strain and he may miss some time.

Pedro Martinez is now saying that he isn’t thinking about retiring that he wants to play for two or three more season.

On Deck: May 22 Mets-Braves

New York Mets (22-22) at Atlanta Braves (25-21)  7:10pm

Johan Santana (5-2) vs. Tim Hudson (6-3)

TV: SNY            Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets are trying to avoid getting swept tonight in this four game series in Atlanta. Santana once again has to stop the bleeding for the Mets. It’s been his job all season long. Make sure that you tune into Willie Randolph’s least favorite TV station (SNY) to see if the Mets can finally get a win before heading to Colorado.