After the firing Mickey Callaway, here are five candidates to be the next manager of the New York Mets.
After taking a few days to consider his fate, and perhaps with general manager Brodie Van Wagenen’s fate in similar limbo, the New York Mets fired manager Mickey Callaway on Thursday.
Callaway had a 163-161 record over two seasons with the Mets, with an 86-76 mark this year sparked by the team’s 46-26 second half record as they entered the Wild Card conversation. But an otherwise pretty turbulent campaign, as has become typical of the Mets, and Callaway’s perceived resistance to newer methods professed by the front office Van Wagenen shaped, ultimately sealed his fate.
In some ways, the Mets job is quite appealing. Pete Alonso is a young star, Jeff McNeil was a find this year and the starting rotation led by Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman looks very good. But in other respects, including the idea ownership is too involved and that kind of meddling will turn off many notable managerial candidates.
But there are only 30 of these jobs, with seven now open, and here are five candidates to be the next manager of the New York Mets.
5. Ron Washington
Washington is in his third season as third base coach for the Atlanta Braves. He was a finalist for that managerial post before Brian Snitker was given the job permanently.
Washington spent nearly eight seasons as manager of the Texas Rangers (2007-2014), highlighted by back-to-back American League pennants in 2011 and 2012 and four 90-plus win seasons. He resigned during the 2014 season, citing personal issues that later came to full light. Before and after that time with the Rangers (1996-2006, 2015 and 2016), Washington was the third base coach/infield coach for the Oakland Athletics.
After his retirement as a player, Washington worked in the Mets’ organization for five years. So he’s got that slight tie, and as the Mets likely turn toward the opposite of Callaway (a manager with previous experience) Washington stands as a candidate.