Taijuan Walker was not pleased about his early removal from Friday’s game against the Phillies.
“There was no conversation. I didn’t get a chance to (lobby to stay in the game). They told me I was done after 88 pitches and I don’t make the call. That’s on them and it is what it is.”
If you’ve been reading this site for awhile, you’ve heard me mention the phrase, “creative friction” before. If no one ever questions or pushes back against decisions that they believe are sub-optimal, it’s going to be tougher to make changes. Every starting pitcher on the Mets – and those relievers who only throw seven pitches in a 1-2-3 inning before being removed – should express their displeasure to the manager and the pitching coach. And if the situation doesn’t change, then they should absolutely voice their displeasure to the media.
Walker saying, “That’s on them” is a good thing. He’s absolutely right. This constant MO of the Mets to remove the starter at the first possible instance has been a dismal failure, no different than Terry Collins looking for a reason to put his LOOGY into the game whenever humanly possible.
More times than not, the reason for a loss can be pinned 100% on the players. But there are times when management deserves at least partial blame for the outcome. When Jeff McNeil can’t buy a hit and uncorks a weak throw that makes even Brandon Nimmo wince, no one has any issue pointing out the obvious. And the manager should receive the exact same treatment.
Luis Rojas has to feel like his job is in jeopardy at this point. If these pitching decisions are his, he only needs to look in the mirror to see who’s to blame. If he’s carrying out orders from above, he needs to ask himself: Do I want to get fired for carrying out someone else’s plan or do I want to give myself – and the team!! – the best chance to win?
Last year in the NFL, a three-word phrase was heard everywhere. “Let Russ Cook!” was more popular than “Where’s the beef?” back in the day. Russ was Seattle’s QB, Russell Wilson. The phrase was a plea to allow Wilson to have more control over the game, rather than relying so heavily on the running backs, like Seattle’s coach preferred.
We need a catchy phrase to describe the Mets’ current dilemma. If you think the manager is being hamstrung by his superiors, maybe it could be “Let Rojas Rule!” If you think it’s the manager/pitching coach that’s the problem, maybe it could be, “Pitch starters more” or something to that effect.
Fire Alderson!
“Change Is Good”.
Unless “Same Old Mets” fits your fancy.
I like analytics. It is a good tool that aids the decision making. Analytics generally indicates that third time facing in order could be a potential problem because of familiarity. Another potential problem is when the pitch count exceeds ninety pitches which generally is a tipping point were fatigue sets in. A good manager monitors these situations and manages accordingly assessing what is happening before eyes. This season Rojas hasn’t done that so therefore “Open your eyes”.
Let them play!
You’re Fired
Something my friend that lives in Brooklyn told me a couple of days ago that surprised me:
– He said Pete Alonso doesn’t have many friends in the clubhouse. Seems the ripping shirts off players and all the quirky stuff rubs players the wrong way. Certainly some of the newer Mets, ahem, aren’t used to such antics, but has anyone told him to put it away? Is it worth it to try changing him for dynamic’s sake or maybe cashing him in? I know Alonso likes pushing his quirks – i.e.: LFGM, and the imaginary hitting coach – but would a stronger manager reel him in some?
Despite being a rare talent, I’ve already seen enough of Alonso. I know he could go somewhere and hit 45 a year for ten years, but he will also be a tough guy to rally around. It might have been different if he had joined a team with a few heavy, formidable guys, older guys who were obvious leaders. Alonso could have fallen in line, But the Mets had no one to fill that bill, so Pete found himself among the lead voices, and he is immature.
But we’d forgive everything else if Pete would come through more often in the clutch… has too many holes in his zone and the league knows where they are.