Megdal: In which the Mets push Johan Santana to the breaking point

“There’s nothing more deadly than a gentle man pushed too far!”

If it hadn’t been his back, it probably would have been something else.

Why the Mets did the Mets take that risk? After all the fanfare surrounding a Monday meeting of the brain trust and a thought-out decision? Collins said pregame that it was Santana who wanted to pitch, as if that settled it.

It is all so disspiriting because it fits a pattern that was supposed to end under Alderson. Things like the inexplicable public announcements and plans to pitch R.A. Dickey on short rest long after the Mets were out of contention, continued shifting of Jenrry Mejia from starter to reliever and back, holding onto Scott Hairston for meager 2012 gains instead of adding a prospect to the team’s young talent base.

It’s not like a better decision-making process can prevent all injuries. But it can limit the impact of the injuries that do occur, and prevent others. (See the Yankees’ handling of CC Sabathia for an example of how it’s done.)

It’s not Alderson’s fault that the Mets’ roster is so limited, given the extreme budgetary restraints forced upon him by ownership’s financial problems. But if he’s not providing the steadying influence that stops the team from making reckless decisions, what’s he there for?