SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio host and former Mets general manager Steve Phillips talks about the team’s recent shake-up and if fans are right to blame the owners with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: Do you see Dave Hudgens’ firing as a message to Terry Collins?
A: When I fired coaches back in the day it was not to send a message to the manager. I don’t know if Terry Collins can do any more than he’s doing. He does an exceptional job of preparing the team to play, addressing the mistakes, correcting the ones that were made and doing it the right way. It’s hard for me to put on Collins that Curtis Granderson got off to a slow start. That’s a lot of trying too hard and a guy who has some mechanical flaws in his swing that really need to be ironed out a little bit.
Q: Do you think fans’ frustration with the Wilpons is fair?
A: Fred and Jeff desperately want to win and that part was never a question for me. There’s always this perceived notion when George Steinbrenner was alive that he always wanted to win more, but the Mets run their team as a business and they want to win. They are kind of caught in between right now of still giving young guys opportunities, while adding those veteran pieces that are necessary, too. They don’t blindly go after that without having a prudent business plan.
Q: Are they right to be criticized for not addressing the state of the team?
A: I think most owners think there should be an understanding that they are in it to win it. So, they wonder why they have to talk about something so obvious and so clear. Right now the Mets are rebuilding, teaching the game the right way.
Q: For the Yankees, is it time to start worrying about Brian McCann?
A: I am surprised that he’s struggled as much as he has. I am surprised he is affected by coming to New York and having a bigger contract because there are guys with bigger contracts. I still think he’s a good player, but when a guy has had injury issues in the past it makes you wonder if everything is right physically for him.
Q: Have you found more opportunities coming your way as time moves on from your controversial end at ESPN? (He was fired in 2009 for an extramarital affair with a young production assistant at the network.)
A: I think so. It’s one of those ones I don’t spend a lot of time dwelling on. I am just going to put myself in position to work hard and whatever things come my way. I will be doing a couple of Mets games in June, filling in. I am happy doing what I am doing.