20
2012
Terry Collins’ Twitter Recap
An article by 
Terry Collins did an outstanding job today answering questions from Mets fans on Twitter. Here are some of the highlights:
Are you worried Wright trade rumors could distract him & the team?
David Wright is a true professional – he understands that rumors are part of the business.
With so many new faces in the clubhouse this year, what do you do to help the team gel together and become a cohesive team?
We try and do team building events in spring training, like bowling, family days, etc.
Terry, is the bullpen this year an improvement over last season – or are the losses going to be difficult to replace?
We feel we’ve improved our bullpen.
Who is the team’s closer?
Frank Francisco
With new fences coming in, who benefits most on the team?
I believe with the reconfiguration a lot of our players will benefit.
Terry, are you going to practice bunting more this spring? The team showed that it couldn’t bunt (other than Jose) last year.
We need to improve our bunting, there is no question.
With all the media and fan negativity going around do you think people are unfairly underestimating your 25 man roster?
Our job is to put a product on the field that fans can be proud of. Often times negativity is our motivation.
Which Spring Training invitee and you most looking forward to getting a look at?
Matt Harvey
What’s the biggest thing you think needs improvement this year?
Our game is about pitching – we need to pitch better.
What do you say to the guys this season to keep them motivated, especially with nobody giving you a shot?
This is the big leagues – it’s about execution. This game is played on the field, not in the papers.
Hoping to see Murph pick up where he left off. What are you expecting from him? Bench? Starting 2B?
Dan’s work ethic will get him past his leg injury. He is coming into spring training as the favorite to be at second base.
How can u seriously expect fans to pay to see a team who’s only move this offseason involved a wall?
This game is played on the field and the team that plays best wins, not necessarily the best team.
How are you going to replace the speed you lost with Reyes departing?
You can not teach speed, but you can teach good base running.
Will you try and hit-and-run more this year in an effort to make up for a decrease in team speed?
That’s a very, very good question. Obviously we have to do a better job of getting players in scoring position & that’s one way.
How many innings are you hoping to get from Johan this upcoming season?
We’re trying not to put a number on it but hopefully looking to get 25 or more starts.
Who are your 5 starting pitchers, as of now, for the upcoming season?
Santana, Dickey, Niese, Pelfrey and Gee not necessarily in that order.
Would you agree you don’t need superstar SS to win?
To win you need a good shortstop, whether he’s a super star or not and we feel Ruben Tejada is that type of guy.
With the dwindling payroll how do you see the team being able to compete in the future?
We’ve done a good job signing young talent and now we have to develop it.
Who do you project as the clean-up hitter heading into spring training?
As we sit here today, Ike Davis.
If Johan isn’t ready, who is your Opening Day pitcher?
Haven’t decided yet.
Fantastic job by Terry…
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 24 | 18 | .571 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 20 | .535 | 1.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 32 | .256 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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I agree. Good answers for the most part, considering the type of questions that were being asked.
Here’s hoping Ike takes that clean up spot and quickly shows he’s the best man for that job.
If Santana doesn’t make opening day – and I have little faith right now he will – RA Dickey has to be obvious choice for that start. Not claiming he’s this staff’s ace – as I’m not sure we really have one right now. But Dickey’s earned that honor if Santana isn’t ready.
“…the team that plays best wins, not necessarily the best team.”
That’s it Terry!
69-93
LoL, Your gonna be like that media guy that tweeted everyday his projections of the final record the Mets & Yankees would have aren’t you?
Joe we may need a mute button in here.
Ken Davidoff is who you are thinking of MNJ
Compare Terry’s spin on the season with that of Cub’s Manager Phil Cavarretta who in the spring of 1954 told owner P. K. Wrigley he didn’t believe the team could win. Cavarretta was immediately fired.
I don’t think he will name Pelfrey the opening day starter again. lol In fact I doubt he will name the opening day starter until either Santana proves healthy or he is handing the score card to the ump.
If Davis is cleanup, safe to say Wright is batting third. I doubt that Murphy or Duda will bat fifth behind the lefty Davis so I guess Bay bats ahead of them? I would rather try a 3-4-5-6-7 of Murphy, Davis, Wright, Duda, Bay.
Murphy and Davis now seem more disciplined hitters than Wright who swings at bad pitches too often and strikesout too much IMO. Duda’s big bat can protect Wright as much as Davis can, and I don’t want Bay anywhere near the first six spots in the lineup.
Agree 100% Exactly how it shoud be done.
Bay will bat no lower than 6th, I guarantee it.
Not only that but if he starts hitting with the new fences don’t be surprised if you see him 4th and Ike moved to 3rd spot. David Wright should not be batting 3rd because he cannot handle it so I don’t know why they continue to do it. I think we’ve seen enough of Wright batting 3rd to see he cannot hit in that spot but obviously the Mets seem not to be able to learn from past mistakes.
The lineup is weird. I would have Tejada leadoff, Murphy 2nd, Davis 3rd, Wright 4th, Bay 5th, Duda 6th for now.
In your scenario, I would bat Duda 5th and Bay 6th. partly because I really like the way Duda hits, but also to break up bay and wright.
One more thing, if Johan cant start the season, who replaces him in the rotation? Did we sign someone and I’m just drawing a blank?
Batista!
good question. That chris james guy (that the right name?) Schwinden?
Or very likely, someone picked up along the way in ST
James probably has the most upside. But I’m sure it’ll be the flavor of the moment depending on how they are doing through ST and in minors.
“What’s the biggest thing you think needs improvement this year?
Our game is about pitching – we need to pitch better.”
1. Duh
2. We still have Pelf. Yippie…
3. The BP is going to earn every cent and then some for the coming yeah, no doubt.
Murphy, Tejada. Davis, Wright, Duda, Bay, Thole, Torres. Best I can figure it.
interesting having murphy at lead off.
a lot depends on how Torres looks in ST I think. If he looks back to 2009-2010, he might lead off. Then murphy can hit 2nd, with Tejada dropping to 8th?
not sure where I want Wright, but I think you may end up with 2 lefties in a row no matter what. Most likely Davis, Duda. At least Duda can handle lefties reasonably well.
I like Murphy in that spot very much. That said, I think we see something more like this though:
Torres, Murphy, Wright, Davis, Bay, Duda, Tejada, Thole, Pitcher.
I want to tell you that batting Murphy leadoff is insane, but I cant. Right now he may be the team’s best obp guy and he’s not lead-footed.
Joe: Wait for it, Wait for it…
I agree with you.
I think Murphy is the best leadoff hitter this lineup can have. I think you have to toss away the idea that #1 MUST be a base stealer. #1′s job is to GET on base.
However the problem is the #2 slot. I don’t think you can put Torres or Tejada behind Murphy. In a utopian world I’d go with Wright 2nd but I know that won’t happen.
Exactly it should be insane but with the team being what it is it gives us the best chance to score runs. If Torres shows he is back to old form the I would make it Torres, Tejada, Murphy, Davis, Wright, Duda, Bay, Thole. I see Murphy’s ability to put the ball in play hit for some pop and not swing at garbage to make him either a Leadoff or #3 hitter. I prefer the prior lineup just cause I have little faith in Torres but this may work as well.
I can’t see Wright being used to the best of his abilities at #2 he isn’t an accomplished bunter and his contact ability is suspect at best. In a hit and run situation I would much rather have Tejada at the plate vs. Wright.
nathan: I’m thinking more of “to get him going” not for 162 games.
I disagree though about bunting. I don’t think bunting is a big deal in the 2 spot if Murphy is batting 1st, nor do I think you worry so much about hit and run there. It’s about getting on base with those guys.
There’s more than 1 way to set a table for Ike Davis/Duda/Bay, it doesn’t have to be based solely on speed and small ball. But your point is valid
I can’t see Tejada in the 2 spot until/unless his play in ST/early season earns him that spot.
If it was Jerry, Tejada would no doubt be the # 2 because he could uh… bunt the runner over.
That’s cold blooded gangsta.
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l616/MrNorthJersey/RealDirtyMets/RDM%20Public%20Gallery/NYMGANGSTABLING_NLEC_BTN.jpg
I’m not usually much of a stat hound but in this case I have to make an exception. Tejada had the second highest OBP of the team last year at a .360 clip the only better was murph at .362. Torres has never came close to that. So if the job of the lead off and #2 hitter are to get on base it would make sense to put the guys most adept in those positions. Tejada can bunt over Murph or play a little hit and run and those things are important. Even the threat of those things are important.
Murphy is brainless on the bases and would be a threat to get picked off, doubled up or thrown out at 2B on a sac that’s why it’s better to have Murphy bat behind Tejada. Tejada is not that fast but a much smarter baserunner. And not only does Murphy have the ability to rise in pressure situations and be able to deliver big hits, unlike some other players, but Murphy has gap power so with my thinking I would have Tejada leadoff and Murphy 2nd
With Murphy’s gap power it can set up the inning for Ike Davis hitting 3rd. That’s why I would not have Wright hitting 3rd. If you play the game right from the start to have Tejada and Murphy set it up for Davis you have a better chance of scoring because Ike Davis has shown the ability to hit well with runners in scoring position
Tejada, Murphy, & Davis – those would be my first 3 in the lineup.
I agreeon having Ike third. Swaping Tejada and Murph doesn’t offend my senses either. I am a little more certain about Murphs abilities, that is why I thought he would make the best LO guy in our lineup. I do like DWright but as I remember things he has always been better in the 5th hole but I have him as 4th because well thats what we have to work with.
Exactly,
If you remember last year when Wright came back from his injury he was on fire in the 5th hole while Beltran was doing his thing in the 3rd hole. That’s how it should be. Keep Wright lower in the batting order so he doesn’t feel as much pressure and he’ll perform better.
Ike Davis has a cockiness to him so he can handle batting 3rd, not Wright. I also have my concerns about Lucas Duda being able to hit in big spots. Even though I think he did once hit a walk off HR (didn’t he? Am I remembering that right?) Duda has shown to tighten up and swing at bad pitches when it is an important AB but he’s still young and that can change.
But for now I’d have Duda and Wright in the 2nd half of the lineup and play to my strengths and that strength would be Tejada, Murphy setting it up for Davis as the first 3
Exactly,
If you remember last year when Wright came back from his injury he was on fire in the 5th hole while Beltran was doing his thing in the 3rd hole. That’s how it should be. Keep Wright lower in the batting order so he doesn’t feel as much pressure and he’ll perform better.
Ike Davis has a swagger to him so he can handle batting 3rd, not Wright. I also have my concerns about Lucas Duda being able to hit in big spots. Even though I think he did once hit a walk off HR (didn’t he? Am I remembering that right?) Duda has shown to tighten up and swing at bad pitches when it is an important AB but he’s still young and that can change.
But for now I’d have Duda and Wright in the 2nd half of the lineup and play to my strengths and that strength would be Tejada, Murphy setting it up for Davis as the first 3
Whos batting fourth then?
You mind finishing that lineup if those are your first 3?
I don’t have a problem with that but then you are batting Wright 4th because you can’t go with Murphy, Davis, Duda and Wright has still not sunk to Bay levels.
I think people are short changing Torres. I don’t know that he’ll work out in the long-run, but I think the best middle of the order is Murphy/Ike/Wright/Duda/Bay 3-7 and I don’t like weakening all of those spots moving them up one just because Torres might not be an ideal #2 hitter. I think he deserves a shot there first, and then replace him if necessary. If the middle of the order is clicking, I’d replace him with Thole first before I shuffle the middle.
Moving everyone up one really wouldn’t hurt the offense as much as having to one less out to work with IMO. The reason I like Torres at 8th is because he can get on base be bunted over and give the top of the order a chance. To often the bottom of our order has nothing to offer but with torres down there it won’t be an easy 1-2-3. Murph and Tejada are much better obp guys in fact his best years were .354 are below Murph and Tejada. I really think this team is going to require some class A small ball if it wants to be consistant with scoring runs.
Right,
This is not a good team so you’re going to have to be strong right away. That’s why I would go with Tejada, Murphy, & Davis right from the get go. Apply the pressure and score runs quickly. I don’t believe in this “lengthening the lineup” phrase. Go for the jugular immediately, especially when your team is really not that good.
And if Bay, Duda, & Wright start to show something than maybe you can modify it later
I don’t think you can go wrong either way, but answer me this: if it’s ok for Torres to bat 8th because he’d give the top of the order chances, shouldn’t he hit 2nd to give the middle of the order chances? I mean, wouldn’t you rather have him on base for Murphy, Ike and Wright as apposed to the pitcher, Tejada and Murph?
No because his OBP is so low. Him getting on in the 8 spot is a bonus where as him getting on in the 2 spot is more of a necessity.
You are setting your self up for your best players to get less AB’s and Torres and Tejada to get the most. That’s not good.
Not torres but Tejada, murph, ike, wright those are are best hitters aren’t they?
Torres for sure is not and I would not classify Tejada as one yet either. However, I know that someone has to bat lead-off LOL. Again, I can understand placing one of them in the 1 spot but not both of them at the top.
Thats why I set my projected line-up as I did. I thought it gave us the best chance. I can see switching Tejada and Murph on my line-up.
I am saying that you just can’t have Tejada and Torres anywhere near the top. One is do able, two is taking the bat out of the best players hands.
That can get a little overrated. In that case, let’s bat Wright first, Ike second, etc. I think moving everyone down one isn’t a bad idea. FOr some reason, Torres is being treated as an automatic out, and maybe I’m a little optimistic, but I don’t think he’ll be that bad,
only in the first inning though.
You know, if it wasn’t for having 100 LH hitters in the lineup and Bay stinking I would not mind seeing Wright lead-off either. He has usually been a high OBP guy that can steal some bases as well. However, that’s not happening obviously.
For now I think it will be
Torres/Tejada, Murphy, Wright, Davis, Bay/Duda, Duda/Bay, Torres/Tejada, Thole.
For those saying I never critique moves, I really would like to know if there was interest in Ryan Spilborghs and if not why? To me he would have been a great addition to the team as a guy that could compete with Torres for the starting spot then slot in either as the 4th OF or starter. That being said I also realize perhaps they know more than I do about why his season was so awful last year OR that he might not have wanted to come to NY.
I want to see a LH hitting OF that rakes RHP to share time with Bay, and liekly torres too. so neds to be able to play CF.
Bay is not sharing time with no one. He is NOT platooning. It boggles my mind that people still want to go forward with a scenario that is not going to happen.
Jason Bay will be hitting no lower than 6th and he will be playing full time. He will NOT be platooning and nobody will be sharing time with him. Once you finally, finally accept that than you can go forward with lineup projection.
You are assuming that he isn’t sucking like normal. If he is, he’ll be platooned (and quite quickly) to avoid his option from vesting and to avoid his poor play from hurting the team. His poor play (assuming he is sticking to his Met norms) will be defense enough should he file a complaint with MLB.
He is not platooning and there is no scenario that he will be platooning in
Except for the “sucking” and “anti-contract vesting” scenarios, of course.
he’ll lose his job before he ever platoons. But he’s never gonna be platooning.
He was worse than useless vs. RHP for the last 2 years. If he continues that trend, he will not be playing every day for long. For all the reason NJ, etc. noted. not the least of which is 2012 is the 1st year where PAs come into play for that vesting option.
If you don’t like the term “platoon”, then just say he will be getting lots of days off to stay fresh, conveniently when RH SP is going.
And I think you are wrong to think he will go from playing every day to losing his job (whether that means getting released of going to the bench, both are less likely then getting shifted into a platoon, even if they never say so formally)
Murphy batting leadoff is a waste of his best talents and that is driving runners home in big spots. He’s good at that and that’s what wins games. He’s also a dumb baserunner and you cannot have that in the leadoff position
I would bat Tejada leadoff even though he’s not essentially a true leadoff type hitter.
Also I don’t see Murphy lasting at 2B either. He simply cannot play the position and it baffles my mind that a professional organization is trying to do this. Not only can he NOT play 2B but he’s almost killed himself twice there. It’s not gonna work, mark my words.
Your first paragraph is pure malarky (except for the last sentence), but I agree with the sentiment. Murph’s best suited as a three-hitter because of his contact ability and his gap power, not any mystical force that improves his talents in certain spots.
if you think that what he showed last year was the real Murphy, and that as he settles in his OBP will go up based on becoming selective, then he actually profiles as a similar hitter to Keith.
I see your point about Murphy’s defense but does that mean he should be on the bench? I was a little confused because you stated how good he was at driving in runs bt then said he didn’t have a place in the field and should not play second. Do you want to trade Wright and put Murph at third and then use Murph in the Three whole?
Nothing would make him happier. Unfortunately, Wright has no trade value right now.
I marked you words last year that Murphy would never play 2nd base for the Mets or any other team. He has the will to succeed and lets see him play at ST. He wasnt that bad there last year, yes he got hurt but with practice every day he will play a good 2nd base.
That was a reply to Bayonne.
Isn’t second base why Murphy has spent more time on the DL than on the Mets roster?
I can’t believe they can still afford to take the players bowling! If Fred gets wind of this it’ll be “NO MORE BOWLING TERRY!” They’ll have to rent a Wii console and take turns on Wii Sports in their motel lobby! (the players obviously have to pay the rental fees of course)
You know with this crew, since the majority don’t have an established type place in a ML lineup (Tejada/Davis/Duda/Murph) and a couple that did but have under performed (Bay/Wright)…..we’re likely to see the ultimate in tinkering with this lineup by TC.
Just saying… but, wright should be everywhere but 3… i think davis 3, wright 4th and duda 5th should be the lineup…
last year as the #3 hitter wright was .225 11 37 in 300 PA
as a 4th hitter he was: 310 3 24 in 140 PA
having ike and duda protecting him will make him more comfortable at the plate.. also, less pressure as he had:
255 BA with RISP
.200 BA wth bases loaded
.200 BA with runners on 2nd or 3rd
.000 BA with men on 2nd and 3rd
.250 BA with men on 1st and 3rd
but hey, he had a .370 BA with men on first jesseP…
Is there a reason the Nimmo-Wheeler picture was stuck in there? I’m not trying to be nitpicky or critical. Just trying to understand the context because it wasn’t obvious to me. Thanks.
All this conjecture over lineup scenarios…As a warning; I wouldn’t try and project any lineup scenario until after CRG presents it’s report, and the Wilpon’s either A) follow the plan to the letter, which will likely include pairing salaries like Wright’s and Bay’s, which may or may not include dealing either or both for salary relief of any kind, or B) Until the end of ST when something surprising like Havens or Nieuwenhuis jump up and just outright win a job. There is too much fluidity in the financial and legal situations to nail down some kind of hypothetical lineup
scenario.
Its the off season. You always got to work with what you have at the moment.
and while sure you can make Bay go away, I highly doubt you are getting much of his salary to go with him.
the only less tradable guy on the team is Santana.
and I like your Havens idea. I actually have hope that he comes in strong and has a monster spring, because of all the options in house, he has the best shot at being ML quality on both sides of the ball.
True, moving forward, we can just project lineup scenarios based on what is there NOW. BUT, what if Toronto comes in the spring and offers up D’Arnaud for Niese, Wright proves healthy, and gets dealt for a decent package, (Bay probably stays-you are correct about that) There are/is too much fluidity in the current situation for my liking to even begin to try and project anything…I do think the Havens’ and Nieuwenhuis situations bear close watching. I think because of Havens’ college experience, and although he s been hurt every year since being drafted, that if he proves healthy and plays to his potential, he may be starting at 2nd base come opening day. Just conjecture on my part. I have no inside knowledge of this, nor pretend too. But this would free Murphy up for 3B, and give the Mets incentive to follow CRG’s plan to the letter and move DW sooner rather than later…
Collins is the best signing Alderson ever made for the Mets.
Pretty much a plain vanilla interview. Only thing of interest to me was Ike at cleanup. Rumors are not part of the business, they are part of the reality. The business is about making money and because of that, David understands that he could very well begin the season elsewhere or depart during the season. He understands the realities of the business. Rumors are rumors and come and go every day. He shouldn’t be losing sleep over them.