David Stearns, the Mets’ new director of baseball operations, reportedly never spoke to Buck Showalter earlier than he let the veteran supervisor know his providers had been now not wanted.
It’s common for a brand new decision-maker to need to usher in their very own supervisor, in fact. However to take action with out even talking to the present supervisor, an individual who guided the group to 101 wins only a season earlier and has an extended observe report of success within the function?
Yeah, that was somewhat shocking. What does it imply?
We don’t know for positive, in fact, nevertheless it doesn’t seem to be an enormous leap to assume Stearns already has a fairly good thought of what candidates he would possibly wish to interview. Possibly he even is aware of who he desires within the function going ahead together with his Mets.
So let’s check out the attainable candidates.
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Craig Counsell, Brewers supervisor
Why he suits: Stearns, in fact, was the first architect of the prolonged run of success with the Brewers, with Counsell as his supervisor. Stearns was named the membership’s GM in September 2015 — Counsell had been employed as supervisor that Might — and ultimately moved as much as the identical function he now holds with the Mets. From 2018 to 2023, the Brewers missed the playoffs solely as soon as and received the NL Central title 3 times. So, sure, the Stearns/Counsell combo was fairly profitable, and it is sensible that the Mets would love that very same sort of manufacturing and constant profitable. Counsell is within the final yr of his contract with the Brewers, and there’s been hypothesis all season that his run in Milwaukee may be ending. That’s somewhat bit odd, contemplating all of the success and the truth that he’s simply 53.
On the finish of the Brewers’ playoff run — Milwaukee is best than most individuals notice — Counsell will turn into a comparatively uncommon factor: An in-demand managerial free agent. It’s not simply the Mets that may have an interest, however just about each group that both has a gap now or is contemplating a change at supervisor.
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Eric Chavez, Mets bench coach
Why he suits: Chavez has been with the membership for 2 years now, serving as hitting coach in 2022 and as bench coach in 2023. He’s a vivid thoughts, and is aware of the gamers properly. That latter half would appear to be a optimistic, however perhaps not, since Stearns was so fast to jettison Showalter.
Will Venable, Rangers affiliate supervisor
Why he suits: Venable is simply 40 years outdated with a Princeton schooling. Would a Harvard man (Stearns) actually rent a Princeton rival? Most likely. Venable was reportedly within the combine for the Royals’ job final offseason, and he’s interviewed for a number of different positions. He’ll be linked to each opening this time round, too. New York can be a heck of a primary job, however Venable’s seen as a future star supervisor. He’s spent this season in Texas, working as Bruce Bochy’s right-hand particular person, and Bochy is a fairly good supervisor to study from. Venable spent eight of his 9 MLB seasons taking part in for the Padres, becoming a member of the 20/20 membership in 2013 (22 homers, 22 stolen bases).
Bob Melvin, Padres supervisor
Why he suits: As we’ve mentioned earlier than, it’s no secret that Melvin’s time in San Diego has soured, as his relationship with entrance workplace guru A.J. Preller is at the very least pushing the purpose of no return. If the edges half methods, Melvin shall be within the combine for just about each opening. For what’s accessible proper now, although, he appears to be a greater match with the Giants than with the Mets.
Joe Espada, Astros bench coach
Why he suits: Espada, 48, has accomplished the managerial interview circuit the previous a number of seasons. In his function as Dusty Baker’s bench coach, it is sensible that he may be a logical particular person to exchange Baker when the legendary supervisor retires. However that’s not set, so he nearly actually shall be within the combine for this and some other spots.