MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets

New York Mets manager Terry Collins (10) walks to the Mets dugout after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field.

(Noah K. Murray-USA Today Sports)

NEW YORK -- Terry Collins might deserve to be in the National League Manager of the Year mix, but that doesn't mean he's a lock to still be managing the Mets when the 2017 season opens.



As the Mets get set for the finale of a three-game set with the Washington Nationals, ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney spoke to NJ Advance Media about the state of the Mets. When it came to the job Collins has done to keep the team afloat despite a rash of injuries, Olney credited Collins--but left room for what some detractors have been calling for over the last few years.



"I think he's done a good job," Olney said. "You can make a real case that they've overachieved this year despite taking a slight step back. The injuries have been immense. Every team has them, but the Mets have lost a ton and stayed in the race. Collins deserves credit for that--more credit than he tends to get. But I think his status is still up in the air for next year. Would it surprise me if they opened 2017 with a younger manager? No, it wouldn't. I thought he needed to make the postseason last year to keep his job--and he did. Maybe he can do it again to erase this kind of thinking."



Heading into play on September 3, Collins' team owned a 69-66 record and sat two games out of a postseason spot. On that date in 2015, the Mets sat at 74-59 and held a six game lead in the National League East.

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ESPN will be in Queens for the broadcast of Sunday night's game between the Mets and Nationals.



At 7 p.m. the broadcast will feature Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet with Karl Ravech, Dallas Braden, Tim Kurkjian. An hour later, the game will be broadcast by Dan Shulman, Aaron Boone, Jessica Mendoza, and Olney.

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.