Mets give Collins two-year extension
The New York Mets announced Monday that they gave manager Terry Collins a two-year contract extension that includes a club option for 2016.
The team is also retaining Collins' entire coaching staff.
Collins, 64, has a 225-261 (.463) record in three seasons. The Mets finished 74-88 this year, good for third in the National League East.
"It's a true honor to be here," Collins said. "As I've said before, if you're going to manage, this is the place. There's no better stage, no bigger stage than to manage here. I love it here, I've had a great time here, I've enjoyed myself here more than any place I've ever been. It's great to be back and I thank everyone for this opportunity."
General manager Sandy Alderson said he appreciated how the team never gave up this year, despite undergoing several personnel changes and went 50-50 over the final 100 games.
The team dealt with the season-ending losses of right-handed ace Matt Harvey to a UCL tear and closer Bobby Parnell to a herniated disk. All-Star third baseman and captain David Wright missed seven weeks of the season with a hamstring injury.
New York also traded away outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher John Buck to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second half of the season.
"In many ways Terry had an outstanding year," Alderson said. "The team never quit. They continued to play hard and continued to play with the resources it had at hand, and finished as well as we could have expected. So I'm very pleased Terry will be back and we're looking forward to 2014."
The Mets plan to raise their payroll and spend money in free agency as they continue retooling their roster and building around veteran Wright and potential young stars Harvey, pitcher Zack Wheeler and catcher Travis d'Arnaud.
"We're going into spring training with very, very high expectations," Collins said. "It's time to put some wins on the board. As Sandy said, we have to start winning at home. That's going to be our No. 1 priority that we start doing the things right that is going to help us win some games at home."
Wright said he was happy that Collins is coming back.
"It's well-documented that there's been probably a lot more talent on teams that are in our division," Wright said Saturday. "And I think he's done a nice job keeping the young players motivated. And just, all in all, I think he deserves to be back. And then hopefully -- with the money we have to spend and some of the trade opportunities -- we're a better team for him to manage."
The Mets are retaining pitching coach Dan Warthen, hitting coach Dave Hudgens, bench coach Bob Geren, first base coach Tom Goodwin, third base coach Tim Teufel and bullpen coach Ricky Bones.
The Mets struggled offensively with a .237 team batting average but were decent pitching-wise with a 3.77 team ERA.
Collins is 669-695 (.490) overall. Before coming to New York, he managed the Houston Astros (1994-96) and Anaheim Angels (1997-99). He also managed in Japan.
