Time for Randolph to be derailed?

Another listless performance by the Mets-this one in an afternoon game at Shea. The Mets shutout by Rutgers product Jason Bergmannn and that ‘stellar’ Nationals bullpen. That’s three straight losses to a last place team, and 3-4 on a seven game home stand to National League bottom feeders.

As if the bad play wasn’t awful enough, there may be some issues in the clubhouse. Closer Billy Wagner openly bashing the team after the game. At one point, Wagner looked over toward the area of Carlos Delgado's locker and blurted: "Someone tell me why the (expletive) you're talking to the closer. I didn't even play. They're over there, not being interviewed. ... I got it. They're gone. (expletive) shocker."

Not exactly the things you say in a healthy work environment. Wagner isn’t even the first person to say such things. Remember Paul LoDuca and his “They speak English too” sound bite?

There seem to be ‘issues’ all over this team. Jose Reyes hasn’t been the same since Willie Randolph benched him for NOT hustling last season. Randolph ‘seems’ to love riding Reyes and Perez, but not unproductive Carlos Delgado or up and down David Wright and Carlos Beltran. Willie and GM Omar Minaya and assistant GM Tony Bernazard have some sort of weird ‘love/hate’ relationship. Randolph hasn’t always had a say in his coaching staff, most notably pitching coach Rick Peterson and the now fired Ricky Henderson. Delgado said he was “bored” last season as the Mets collapsed and missed the playoffs. Aaron Heilman clearly isn’t happy -and he stinks right now. Even Johan Sabtana is in the mix-not speaking to the NY media in the days prior to tomorrow night’s game BUT did speak to Spanish reporters and FOX national press. He told the press Monday “It was no big deal”, to face the Yanks and refused all other interview requests to local scribes.

WATCH METS POST-GAME INTERVIEWS AFTER THE JUMP...

Makes you wonder if it isn’t time to consider making a change at manager. Since June 1, 2007, the Mets are 74-73. That’s not what Fred Wilpon is looking for from his $140 million payroll. Joe Torre was great at deflecting things away from the press. Randolph, supposedly a Torre disciple, clearly does not have that skill. That’s not a plus when you look at some of Willie’s moves: most notably leaving Heilman in last night rather than having Joe Smith ready to relieve Claudio Vargas. That indecision cost the Mets the game. Now the Mets head to the Bronx, Atlanta and Colorado. None of the three is a ‘Mets Happy Place.’ You wonder how long-no matter what the dynamic is-Minaya and Wilpon will wait to make a move if the up and down play continues.