IS THERE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

After collapsing two years in a row the Mets thought they had the manager they wanted in Jerry Manuel. Omar Minaya in his conference call said that Jerry Manuel will be the manager for the Mets in 2009 and that they are "in talks" with his agent. However, as many people are reporting talks have hit a stall as the 2 yr near 2 mil (a mil per yr) with an option for a third yr is not enough for this "gangsta". With the Mets already owing Willie Randolph 2.5 mil in 2009 it doesnt seem like Jerry will get any more money.

So, what is the Mets next move. Do they have any other options? Well according to an email sent to ESPN's Andrew Marchand from Bobby Valentine, it says, "I am working for a team that needs me and wants me as their man," Valentine replied. "I love it here, but I am an American and love great challenges. I was in a Met uniform in the '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000, and would love to be there in the next decade."

As for Valentine, he could be too expensive for the Mets. He reportedly is making $4 million annually managing in Japan, a salary that makes him the second highest-paid manager in professional baseball, behind the Dodgers' Joe Torre.

A poll done today on Metsblog.com asked fans who they would rather have as their manager. Over 3,600 votes came in and the answer...Bobby V with 57% (2,067 votes) and Jerry Manuel with 41% (1,475 votes) with 3% saying neither...

So, the ball is in Fred Wilpon's and Omar's court. We all know what Bobby V did with the Mets team from 96'-02'. They vastly overachieved, making it to the World Series in 2000, in a yr when they only had one guy with over 100 rbis (Piazza), one guy with over 100 runs (Alfonzo), noone with double-digits in stolen bases and lets not forget Armando Benitez..Do you believe he can do the same with a team that has 3 guys over 110 rbis, 4 guys over 95 runs and few speedsters...I do!

It would do me a great pleasure to tell one radio host...Mike Francesca..to shut his mouth about how the Mets should trade their "core" and how Ryan Church hates NY acc. to his "source"..when 3 articles said that he loved it in NY..someone is looking for ratings after losing his co-star/STAR!..it's amazing to me how even the biggest Yankee fans are now sounding like Mets fans did in the 90's...

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself and this is all just a news page article...but if Omar can get this done imagine the scene at Citifield next yr..wow...This just might be the change the Mets need. Now, let's see if Omar can deliver and earn that new contract he just signed while the ink is still wet..

10/03/08 4:42PM - ACCORDING TO KEN ROSENTHAL AT FOXSPORTS & JON HEYMAN AT SI - THE METS AND JERRY MANUEL HAVE AGREED TO A 2 YEAR CONTRACT WITH A CLUB OPTION FOR A THIRD YEAR...