One important search complete, the Mets are just beginning another.
After naming Billy Eppler as the new general manager last week, the team still has a managerial vacancy to fill, and club officials in recent days have compiled an extensive list of potential candidates, according to sources.
With a lockout looming, there was thought the Mets might wait until December’s probable recess to get serious in the hunt for Luis Rojas’ replacement, but at this point the team is operating a search on parallel tracks for roster additions and a manager/coaching staff.
Eppler is leading a collaborative effort that involves owner Steve Cohen and team president Sandy Alderson on the managerial front. The Mets also have to build a field staff, after retaining only pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, whose 2022 option was picked up last month.
Potential managerial candidates include Buck Showalter, Brad Ausmus, Walt Weiss, Bob Geren, Joe Espada, Eric Chavez, Pat Murphy and John Gibbons, among others.
Eppler last week said he hadn’t yet determined what criteria should be sought.
“I’d love to find someone that checks every single box and is great in all areas,” Eppler said during his introductory Zoom press conference Friday. “I want to be able to sit down with the senior baseball ops group and Steve and Sandy all collectively talk about what kind of criteria we think might be important for the next manager of the Mets. I want to have the group engaged.”
Showalter, who has managed the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rangers and Orioles, might be the sexiest name on the market, with his New York experience seen as a major asset. As Angels GM, Eppler is said to have wanted Showalter as manager, but he was overruled by owner Arte Moreno, with the job going to Joe Maddon.
Eppler previously hired Ausmus as manager with the Angels, firing the former catcher with pressure from above. Ausmus is also well-regarded by Alderson (a fellow Dartmouth College alum). Alderson attempted to pursue Ausmus for the Mets opening after Terry Collins stepped aside following the 2017 season, but Ausmus, who had just been fired as Tigers manager, declined the invitation for a formal interview.
Weiss and Geren also have connections to Alderson. Weiss, a Rockland native who previously managed the Rockies and has spent the last four seasons as Braves bench coach, played for Oakland in the 1980s and ’90s during Alderson’s GM tenure. Geren was hired by Alderson as Mets bench coach in 2012 and has served in the same role with the Dodgers for the last six seasons. He was the runner-up for the managerial opening when the club hired Dave Roberts. Geren also has previous managerial experience with Oakland.
Espada, the Astros bench coach, has ties to Eppler with the Yankees. Espada became a special assistant in The Bronx when Eppler was serving as assistant general manager. Espada’s name has arisen in conjunction with multiple openings in recent offseasons. Chavez was hired by Eppler as a special assistant with the Angels, for whom he also has minor league managing experience. Murphy is a well-regarded Brewers bench coach who was considered for the Mets’ managerial opening two years ago. Eppler’s close relationship with Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns (who could be in play next offseason to join the Mets) might strengthen Murphy’s potential candidacy. Gibbons, who has twice managed the Blue Jays, doesn’t have a direct connection to Eppler or Alderson, but has been discussed, according to a source. Gibbons, a former Mets player and minor league manager, spoke to the Astros and Red Sox two years ago about their managerial openings.
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November 23, 2021 at 09:09AM
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Mets trying to start quickly in search for new manager, coaches - New York Post
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