Why are the Mets sticking with Barwis?

by Darren Meenan September 20, 2017

Last week, the Mets said they are sticking with strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis for the 2018 season.

Mike Barwis is deemed part of the Mets' solution, not the problem: https://t.co/iBhGF6FjMt
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) September 14, 2017

If my car kept breaking down, I'd find a new mechanic. If my kid had a tutor, but still failed math, I'd hire a new tutor. It'd be a different story if this season's blowup was a freak thing. It's not. The Mets have been consistently hurt for around a decade, and this year, the whole damn roster seems to have been on the DL.

Mike has been working with the organization as a consultant since 2011, and was appointed to oversee the operation in 2014.

"Mike Barwis and his organization offer the Mets an inclusive in-season and off-season approach to performance training, which we think will accelerate the development of our players at all levels," Sandy Alderson said in a press release announcing the hire.

It hasn't.

Now, while Barwis didn't give David Wright spinal stenosis or break Wilmer Flores' nose, he is in charge of getting these guys in shape each spring. It was under his roof that Yoenis Cespedes put on a leg press show and became a "work out warrior". You don't need to be a genius to know that's not a good idea for a guy with health issues.

Good guy, nice facility and positive goals, but there should be an eviction notice on Barwis' door this morning. Doesn't work for baseball.
— Darren Meenan (@DarrenJMeenan) August 26, 2017

It's not going to happen, but I'd have liked to see a new face running the show this spring. It's great that the players say they like Barwis, but it's not working, and frankly, the players aren't always right.