NEW YORK (AP) -For 145 games, the New York Mets mean business. The first six or seven innings each night, no trouble at all.
Finding a way to finish – that’s the problem.
After their second consecutive late-season collapse, the Mets began clearing out of Shea Stadium on Monday and looking ahead to an uncertain winter with one persistent question in mind.
“What’s going to get us over that last hurdle?” general manager Omar Minaya said. “We have to figure out how to get it done.”
In a frustrating flop that must have felt like a recurring nightmare, New York was eliminated from playoff contention Sunday with a loss at home to feisty Florida on the final day of the regular season.
Same story as last year, which only made it more painful.
Now, the Mets have major work to do if they want to avoid opening Citi Field in 2009 with the sort of fold that spoiled their last two seasons at Shea.
`Maybe going to the new stadium is good. A fresh start.”
Workers will start dismantling big Shea within the next few weeks. But first up for the Mets, settling on a manager.
Even though they missed the playoffs, it appears Jerry Manuel will return. He guided New York to a 55-38 record after being promoted from bench coach when Willie Randolph was fired June 17.
Minaya said he would meet with ownership to discuss the situation, but the Mets are expected to lift Manuel’s interim tag and hire him on a permanent basis.
“This is one of the things that we want to review and that’s going to take a couple of days. We’ll have an answer for you in a couple of days, but it won’t be within 24 hours. But it should be soon,” Minaya said. “I think what would not be right would be to make a decision without looking at all the different scenarios.”
Once a manager is in place, Minaya and his staff can turn their attention to the playing field. They figure to start with the bullpen, the biggest culprit for this year’s meltdown.
Missing injured closer Billy Wagner for the final two months, the Mets’ makeshift relief corps had a 6.23 ERA over the last 17 games. New York was 2-for-6 on save chances and opponents batted .335 against its relievers during that stretch, according to Stats, LLC.
son-high 3 1/2-game lead in the NL East. Of course, last year New York led the division by seven games with 17 remaining before finishing 5-12 and missing the playoffs in one of baseball’s biggest collapses.
“We have to address our bullpen. That has to happen. Right now we do not have a closer,” Carlos Beltran said Sunday.
Wagner will be sidelined next year as well following elbow ligament replacement surgery, potentially ending his tenure with the Mets. Francisco Rodriguez seems a perfect replacement – if New York wants to pay up.
K-Rod can become a free agent this offseason after compiling a major league record 62 saves for the Los Angeles Angels. But he could command a four- or five-year contract worth more than $15 million per season.
Colorado lefty Brian Fuentes might be a less expensive option. Or, the Mets could try someone in their own system with little experience.
But it’s not just a closer the Mets need. While Joe Smith and Pedro Feliciano are useful specialists, the team lacks power arms for setup roles, pitchers who can get left- and right-handed hitters out. Crossover guys, as Manuel calls them.
Aaron Heilman was ineffective all season while pitching with a bum knee, and Scott Schoeneweis struggled badly down the stretch. Both could be candidates for relocation.
he first season of a $25 million, four-year contract. Hobbled by injuries, he batted .245 with 11 extra-base hits.
There’s a hole in left field, and the Mets want a productive right-handed bat to balance the lineup.
Manny Ramirez? He can become a free agent, too.
“I anticipate being a player, but it’s too early to discuss a strategy,” Minaya said, speaking in general terms about the free-agent market. “I would guess we would be involved.”
Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez have expiring contracts, leaving two openings in a rotation that includes Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey and Maine – as long as he recovers from surgery Tuesday to alleviate a bone spur in his right shoulder.
“It’s a simple surgery. No cutting. No attaching anything,” said Maine, out since Aug. 23. “I’ll be 100 percent by spring training.”
Derek Lowe could be an enticing option. Ben Sheets might be a bargain if his sore elbow and injury history drive down the price. CC Sabathia is probably too expensive, especially with Santana already on a payroll that was $138 million on opening day.
After a terrible start, 36-year-old first baseman Carlos Delgado went on a hitting tear to finish with 38 homers and 115 RBIs. The Mets have a $12 million option on his contract with a $4 million buyout, and figure to want him back.
n’t want to be bouncing around any more than I have to. But the decision is in their hands.”
Banged up and tired, right fielder Ryan Church wasn’t the same player after returning Aug. 22 from his second concussion of the year.
Other injuries to reliable veterans such as Fernando Tatis and Damion Easley proved costly, too. But youngsters such as Daniel Murphy and pitcher Jon Niese showed promise.
“We have a tough challenge in front of us,” Minaya said. “I started this process on the way home from the ballpark last night. We have to find a way to win more games. We have to find a way to do it before the last weekend.”
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