After the embarrassing sweep of the Mets by the worst team in baseball, I came to the conclusion yesterday that the Mets must fire Jerry Manuel. They must do it today.

I know that most of what went on this season was not his fault. But some of it is. No one could have predicted the injuries that have devastated this ballclub all season long. But could some of the hamstring and other muscle injuries possibly been avoided had the Mets players prepared better for games? I can’t know that and certainly that alone would not be reason enough to release the manager.

But what really is of concern is the way this team has played the last two months. In August and September, the Mets went a dreadful 18-39. If the Mets were heading into the final series of the season say at 77-82, even 75-84, I could see giving Manuel a pass assuming injuries were the sole cause of failure. But the poor play including awful defense and incompetent base running must fall on the manager and coaches shoulders.

This Mets roster in its current configuration should be much better than their record indicates. The 1978 Mets did not have a Carlos Beltran or a David Wright. That was a team you expected not to win 70 games. Even with all the injuries to this 2009 team, not winning more than 70 games is a disgrace. 

The current Mets roster was not capable of making the post season once all the injuries occurred, no one is suggesting otherwise. But they should have been more competitive and playing a crisper brand of baseball than the mess we have seen day in and day out. That’s reason number one why Jerry has got to go. Honestly, I’m not sure anyone could do better but the Mets need to find out.

The players seem to like Manuel. There has been no hint of a conspiracy the way there was when Randolph was about to be canned. Perhaps it’s like a marriage that has gone bad. The couple still likes each other but it just isn’t working.  

The Mets simply cannot go into next season with the proclamation that everyone will be healthy next year. That would be a terribly wrong message to send and likely would negatively impact ticket sales. And with the news that Jose Reyes will require surgery on his new hamstring injury, there is a strong possibility he will not be ready by opening day. The Mets are now faced with the prospect of extending this disastrous season into 2010. That cannot happen. This is reason number two why Manuel must be fired.

The Mets must cut ties with 2009 at all costs. After being swept by the Nationals with the Mets playing so poorly and the news of Reyes, there has to be some hope provided to the fans moving into next year. I do not care how diehard a Mets fan is, everyone will have second thoughts about spending their money on Mets ticket plans in these hard economic times, especially when faced with the prospect of the same face on this franchise.

As I have stated, I really do not entirely blame Manuel but like a good captain, he must go down with the sinking ship. The Mets need to find someone who can lead this team out of this mess. Someone with a bit more personality and fire appears to be in order.  Hmmm, is there anyone that comes to mind that might have recently been let go by a Japanese franchise?

Changing managers guarantees nothing. But the Mets need to act and do something to give their fans hope. A Lou Piniella type guy would excite everyone. A manager like that would give the fans some passion and hope again.

I really don’t think the Mets have much of a choice here. They are headed into an off season when everything is going to be about the Yankees.  There is more hatred and venom being spewed at the Mets than I can ever remember. Starting Monday, there are people who work for the Mets who will be tasked with selling tickets for next year. How can they possibly function in the current atmosphere?

Mets management has every right to clean house even if they are part of the blame. Now they must act and do the painful job of firing Jerry Manuel.