It’s been quite the eventful offseason for the New York Mets so far, and free agency hasn’t even begun yet. The Mets fired manager Buck Showalter on the final day of the season. One day later, they officially announced David Stearns as their President of Baseball Operations. Soon after, their plan for Stearns to work with General Manager Billy Eppler went up in smoke when Eppler resigned due to MLB investigating him for misuse of the IL. We don’t know if the Mets will address that position this offseason or next offseason. Maybe they don’t at all. Then, of course, there’s the ongoing Pete Alonso situation. He recently hired Scott Boras as his new agent as he prepares for free agency after the 2024 season. Currently, the Mets’ focus is on the new manager for 2024.
Mets To Look Outside Organization For Manager
The New Manager Will Not Come From Within
Ever since the Mets parted ways with Showalter, some have considered they should hire from within. Names like bench coach Eric Chávez and Carlos Beltrán should be candidates. However, per Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Mets disagree with that sentiment and will hire someone outside the current candidates in Queens.
Though the Mets remain in the beginning stages of their process for a new manager, expect the eventual hire to be an external candidate, league sources told @TheAthletic. https://t.co/aBYJbHxjCS
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) October 18, 2023
The Mets are reportedly expected to hire an external candidate for manager https://t.co/eZFznR9G5e pic.twitter.com/anGACyFh8K
— SNY (@SNYtv) October 18, 2023
If the Mets lean that way, it will take Chavez and Beltran out of the mix for the manager position. This news will also continue the speculation that Stearns will eventually hire his manager in Milwaukee, Craig Counsell. MLB’s Jon Heyman reported that MLB insiders believe the Mets have a “reasonable chance” to land Counsell. Counsell is a free agent now that the Brewers season is over, and reports say his contract expires at the end of October.
Sources also told Sammon that the Mets should hire someone with a history of holding teams together. However, other sources expressed that New York should find someone with good in-game decision-making and could help young players. Regardless, it will be very interesting to see how the process goes with Stearns at the helm in hiring the club’s next manager. The Mets past three managers (four if you count Beltran) since Terry Collins have only lasted two seasons. The Mets must find someone to bring stability to that position for the next several years.
Main Photo Credits: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
