Something has got to change and it should start with Rick Peterson. I never want to see someone lose their job. But in baseball, it is a common occurrence for when things do not go right, someone pays the price. For the New York Mets for the better part of a year, not much has gone right at all.

From June 1, 2007 through the end of last season, the Mets were a .500 team. That was not enough to thwart the advances of the Phillies who stormed in and stole the division title from the Mets on the last day of the season. While much was written in regards to Jose Reyes and other offensive woes, it does not take a genius to figure out that by far and away, it was the pitching that doomed last season. Needing just two more wins in the final 17 games, the bullpen and starters blew several games that ultimately broke the hearts of Mets Nation.

Fast forward to 2008. We have been told that the Mets are not suffering from the lingering effects of 2007. Never the less the results are the same. The causes of the 2007 collapse are still in effect. True the offense has not been consistent but looking at the last several games, the bullpen has been totally to blame. Leading 4-0 going to the 8th inning should not be cause for concern. That’s a game that a team with championship aspirations has got to win. Maybe it’s time for a change.

Rick Peterson came on board in 2003 when Art Howe took over the club. Willie Randolph never had a chance to pick his own pitching coach. And don’t look to Willie to say anything bad about Peterson. Willie toes the company line and would never publically criticize one of his coaches. This is not to say that Peterson is not without value. Maybe he should be a roving instructor in the minors since he’s so into the mechanics of pitching. The point is, how long must the Wilpons keep the status quo as their 140 million dollar investment goes in the tank. This team is just not getting any better. A message has to be sent that shakes up this ballclub.

Changing the coaches is not going to improve the pitching and hitting but its obvious the chemistry of coaches and players is not working. Honestly, these kinds of moves may be fruitless but doing nothing is not changing anything. Firing Rick Peterson or Howard Johnson or even Omar Minaya is not going to make Ryan Church’s concussion better sooner, or Moises Alou become the paragon of health or the hitters producing with runners in scoring position with 2 outs or the relief core lock up a game when leading by 4 runs. However, it is a clear statement to the team and their fans that this sort of play is unacceptable.

This is clearly not the type of season Fred and Jeff Wilpon wanted as they close Shea Stadium and prepare to sell tickets at Citi Field. Behind close doors, they must be fuming. Especially Jeff, who appears to be much more adamant about the on goings of the team than Fred. The Mets will not have a fireworks night this season because of all the construction work. If the Mets don’t start to play better soon, there will be lots of fireworks anyway.