The New York Mets might be shopping starter Jon Niese this winter, and they’re already damning his name…which won’t do a whole lot for his trade value, even though the story itself seems relatively tame. Via the New York Daily News…
In the third inning of that Friday night home game against the Astros, after Ruben Tejada had drawn a walk, Collins signaled for his pitcher to bunt. With the corner infielders charging, however, Niese decided to swing away and flied out, thereby angering his manager.
According to players and coaches who were there, Collins jumped Niese as he came back to the dugout:
“What the f— was that?’’ the manager demanded.
“They were coming down my throat so I tried to slash,” Niese said.
“Next time get the bunt down like we told you,” Collins continued.
“F— you,” Niese said to Collins. “Take me out if you don’t like it.”
Niese’s line out was the only ball that the Mets hit out of the infield in the inning. He left the game in the sixth inning with an elevated heart rate. Carlos Torres immediately allowed three runs to give up New York’s 1-0 lead.
It’s pretty silly for Collins to get so worked up over a bunt. The 28-year old Niese is still signed through 2016, with a pair of club options in 2017 and 2018. He’ll make just $7 million this year, and could be an attractive trade target for a team this winter.
