12. The Mets' decision to retain Jerry Manuel after an abysmal 2009 seasonTo me, the Mets are winning in spite of Manuel. He's not exactly helping the matter, but he's not really hurting them either. Yes, he's made some strange bullpen decisions and his campaign to keep Jenrry Mejia on the Mets should have netted him a few slaps on the wrist.
Manuel was put on warning, but Mets ownership never seemed close to firing him, even after the team started poorly in 2010. To Manuel's credit, a more confident, positive feeling in the clubhouse has aided the team's rather stark turnaround to the top of the wild card standings. Manuel has a very thick skin (a necessity in New York) and a knack for developing a positive feeling, even when things appear down. He has an option for about $1.5 million for 2010, but a multiyear extension is in order.
But the Mets keeping Manuel isn't the 12th best decision in baseball. Right now, it's a wash, if anything.