New York Mets’ managerial search coming to a close

New York Mets, Mets, Mickey Callaway
Sep 21, 2019; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway (36) against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets are coming off an 86-76 campaign in 2019 and three games out of the Wild Card. They fired manager Mickey Callaway anyway, and are now in the throes of finding his replacement.

Joe Girardi seemed to be a natural fit, but Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen most likely was intimidated by the likes of an accomplished manager such as Girardi, Buck Showalter, Dusty Baker and others.

Met fans went into a Twitter frenzy after Girardi signed on with the rival Phillies, confirming their fears that BVW wants another first-time manager he can control.

The candidate list is still a good half-dozen and the names aren’t resonating with the fans one bit.

From Joel Sherman of the New York Post:

“Nationals bench coach Tim Bogar is the lone finalist who has not received a third interview, which mainly revolved around meeting with Fred Wilpon. Bogar’s Nationals were playing in Game 7 on Wednesday night and the expectation is that he would be in to see the Mets owner before the end of this week.

Former Mets OF Carlos Beltran, ESPN’s Eduardo Perez and Twins bench coach Derek Shelton already have had their face-to-face discussions with Wilpon, The Post has learned. Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy and Mets quality control coach Luis Rojas received second interviews and it was possible they also did sit-downs with Wilpon.”

Whoever gets the job will have a nucleus of productive players such as ace Jacob deGrom, rookie powerhouse Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Marcus Stroman and Michael Conforto.

There are still many issues to be addressed this offseason as Michael Baron outlines below.

The players might miss Callaway, a likable guy who is probably best off in the role as a pitching coach. He was not in his element. The Mets basically set Callaway – who spent his entire career in the American League – to fail. They can’t do the same to the next manager.