Mets Morning News: Bay's Bat, 'Mr. Clutch,' & Izzy Helps K-Rod

Jason  Bay's days in the Mets lineup may be numbered if the lefty continues to slump. The only reason he's remained in the lineup as long as he has is because of Terry Collins' new calm, cool, and collect attitude.

Collins implied yesterday that the old Terry Collins -- who wore emotions on his sleeve while managing the Astros and the Angels in the 1990s -- might have benched Bay already.

"One of the personality changes I think I've made is to have some patience. I'm trying to relay that to Jason, certainly -- don't press, you don't have to press the issue. It's going to be there, it's going to come."

Andy Martino of the Daily News has bestowed Jose Reyes with the title, "Mr. Clutch".

It used to be that Jose Reyes would walk into the batter's box in the late innings of a close game, all jittery and twitchy, and flail at the worst pitches. Now he knows: That isn't how you get them.

"I used to give away at-bats. When I was in the batter's box, I was edgy a lot. Now I'm calm."

No doubt, Reyes is a fantastic player, but it's amazing how the quality of play improves during contract years. Look at Carlos Beltran's numbers this year as well. All of a sudden, everyone is healthy and playing everyday. It must be a miracle (or the money).

Jason Isringhausen is paving the way for Francisco Rodriguez to reach 300 saves, all while putting his own dream of 300 saves on hold.

Isringhausen, 38, still has that goal of 300 saves on his to-do list. But in an unusual arrangement resulting from the Mets' wealth of experience at the back end of their bullpen, Isringhausen is in the process of helping Rodriguez pass him on the career list. With 285 saves, Rodriguez needs nine to vault Isringhausen, who has now made it his goal to assist him in doing just that.

"If I can help him achieve something that he wants, then that makes me feel good. Hopefully he ends up with 500."