After two disappointing seasons, the Mets have moved on from their Manager, Mickey Callaway.
With a team that features the favorites for both the NL Cy Young Award and the NL ROTY, Callaway’s Mets failed to make the playoffs and change was needed.
Going into the 2019 season, the Mets’ front office was confident and optimistic about their Playoff chances. GM Brodie Van Wagenen said “…Internally, we can argue we’re the favorites in the division right now.” In fact, they were so optimistic, that they went out and traded for an aging Robinson Cano and surging Edwin Diaz- both of whom had a bad season.
After a gallant and historic run by their rookie first baseman, Pete Alonso, resulted in his breaking the single season rookie home run record set by Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, the Mets have reason for hope moving forward.
deGrom has been locked into a long term contract, Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil have shown us what they can do, and they seem like a team that is ready for a big run.
But who will attempt to bring this team to the promised land?
There are some very intriguing candidates. From Title winning skippers to a team legend who has yet to manage a single MLB game.
Lets take a look at a few of them.
Joe Maddon
After leading the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series in 108 seasons, the Cubs have slipped up a bit, and in 2019, missed the playoffs entirely.
The Cubs front office decided it was time to move on from the 65 year old.
Maddon’s trip to the Fall Classic in 2016 was not his first rodeo. He brought the Tampa Bays Rays to the World Series in 2008. They would end up losing to the Philadelphia Phillies, but Maddon showed the world that he was the real deal.
Maddon has been heralded as a “Players’ Manager” and has always had a great relationship with his players.
Young players typically appreciate that and that is often how dynasties are started.
Joe Girardi
After a 91 win season and miraculous playoff run which ended in a game 7 of the ALCS, Girardi was let go by the New York Yankees. During his time with the Yankees, Girardi’s record as a manager is elite and was always considered one of the best managers in the game.
Girardi personality is the polar opposite of Maddon’s. Joe was a tough manager and expected the best out of every one of his players.
This toughness might have been the reason for Girardi’s dismissal. Young players don’t usually appreciate criticism and rebuke, especially in today’s game- and while the Mets have a young team, they have long been an undisciplined bunch and some strength might be what they need to turn it around.
Girardi has won it all as both a player and a manager, and he has shown that he has what it takes to manage in New York. Expect for him to be at the top of the list.
Girardi currently works as an analyst on the MLB Network.
Carlos Beltran
Carlos Beltran was a fan favorite during his time with the Mets and being that the current youngsters on the Mets grew up watching him perform, there will be a low of respect for the 42 year old.
Beltran, who is a borderline Hall of Famer, spent 7 seasons with the Mets, and was always one of the leaders on the team.
In addition, the Mets who are notorious for their penny-pinching, might be looking to sign a cheaper option, and with this being Beltran’s first shot at being skipper, he probably would not command too big of a big contract.
Buck Showalter
Buck began managing in the season of 1992; Pete Alonso was born in 1994…
To state the obvious, Showalter has gotten around. He has managed 4 teams over a 20 year span, has won 3 AL Manager of the Year awards, and is one of the highest regarded baseball minds in the sport- and he does not seem to be done with the game.
The 63 year old managed the Yankees from ’92-’95, right before the ‘Core Four’ dynasty took off. He was fired at the end of the ’95 season, and the following season, his former team would win it all as the Yankees defeated the Braves in the World Series.
Showalter would eventually manage the Arizona Diamondbacks, and following the 2000 season, he was fired once again. Just like in New York, the D-Backs would win the World Series in the season following his departure…
He has managed his share of stars; from perfect teammates like Don Mattingly and Derek Jeter to controversial magnets like Alex Rodriguez and Manny Machado.
For a team with as much talent as the Mets, Showalter would be a great fit to right the boat and put the team back on track, and he has managed a ball club in the Big Apple, and can withstand the pressures that come with that.
