Terry Collins told reporters Fred Wilpon met with him for 25 minutes following the team’s 13-2 loss to the Marlins at Tradition Field on Monday.
Collins said Wilpon expressed concern over the number of walks the club has allowed during the first week of exhibition play, as well as the lack of clarity in left-handed relief.
“He expects it to be a much better team,” Collins said. “There’s no doubt about that. He told me two weeks ago: ‘Look, I’m going to be here a lot. A lot’.”
Collins said Wilpon was not mad at him despite the team’s uneven play over the first week.
“No, he’s not mad at all,” Collins explained.
Collins said he and Wilpon went through the roster to go over some of the club’s deficiencies, and it was the second time they’ve spoken over the last week.
“He asked me about a couple spots that have been a concern,” Collins said. “I said yeah they’re still a concern. We’re going to bear down on those areas. I said for the most part you gotta like what our starting pitching can do.”
I don’t have a problem with this, but Terry can only manage the roster he’s given. So, Mr. Wilpon should probably be questioning his front office about the lack of lefty relief options in camp instead. I mean, I’m not really surprised anyone is really standing out for these roles, although I’m somewhat perplexed over Josh Edgin’s issues. They didn’t address the problem, so they’re left hoping a Rule 5 pick or another minor leaguer can grow up fast. Still, the owner has expectations for this club, and it is his team so I suppose he can do what he wants.
The Mets are 3-4 over the first week of Grapefruit League play, during which the team has hit .286 with a .366 OBP. The club has a 5.61 ERA with 36 walks in 61 innings over the first seven games, while the pitchers in contention for the left-handed relief spots (Dario Alvarez, Josh Edgin, Sean Gilmartin and Scott Rice) have combined to allow four runs in eight innings.
The Mets have also committed six errors over their first seven games during Spring Training.
Read more from Mike Vorkunov of the Star Ledger, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
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