Omar Minaya evidently won’t be the scapegoat for the Great Flushing Train Wreck of 2009.
Mets owner Fred Wilpon broke his extended silence yesterday, just long enough to take one question from The Post, and indicated he already has his general manager in place for 2010.
“Am I going to bring Omar back next year?” Wilpon said. “Absolutely. That’s a fact.”
Wilpon, who had agreed to answer only one question, then disappeared through a corridor near the Mets clubhouse at Citi Field.
The Post later approached Minaya and repeated Wilpon’s comment, but the GM played it coy when he was asked if the same message had been conveyed to him by Wilpon.
Nevertheless, Minaya made it clear that if he’s returning, so is manager Jerry Manuel.
“Jerry is my guy,” Minaya said. “We work well together.”
And so, the biggest question facing the Mets heading into the final six weeks of this lost season seems resolved. It’s Minaya and Manuel, for better or worse, who will steer the team into 2010.
Wilpon spent about 30 minutes in the outfield chatting with Manuel during batting practice yesterday, but it’s unknown what was discussed.
Minaya, who received a contract extension last year on the heels of the Mets just missing the playoffs for the second straight season, has a deal that runs through 2012. He earns about $1 million annually.
Manuel, whom Minaya elevated from bench coach to manager upon Willie Randolph’s firing in June 2008, is signed through next season, with the team holding an option for 2011. The deal pays Manuel $1.5 million annually.
Wilpon’s pronouncement that Minaya will return comes during an injury ravaged season in which three of the team’s core players — Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado — have spent extended time on the disabled list. The fourth core player, David Wright, has been on the DL for the past week after getting beaned by San Francisco pitcher Matt Cain.
That doesn’t include injuries that have shelved John Maine and J.J. Putz, both of whom were expected to be important contributors to the pitching staff, for most of the season.
In addition to the team’s on-field follies (they began last night’s play 13½ games behind the Phillies in the NL East), Minaya embarrassed the organization during a press conference to announce the firing of his top lieutenant, Tony Bernazard, after stories appeared detailing Bernazard’s questionable behavior — including the removal of his shirt to challenge minor leaguers to a fight.
Minaya said the reporter who broke the story had “lobbied” for a job with the Mets. The GM’s insinuation was the reporter wanted Bernazard’s job, and that led to the story being written. Though Minaya later made a public apology to the reporter, his reputation took a hit. Now Minaya is moving forward with some last details for 2009, with an eye toward next season.
“I will continue to work hard every day,” Minaya said. “That’s the only way I know how to work.”
mpuma@nypost.com