Once David Stearns was officially in place as the president of baseball operations for the Mets, it wasn’t long before he had to answer questions about the team’s managerial opening. After all, firing manager Buck Showalter was the executive’s first major decision in his new role.
During his introductory press conference, Stearns told reporters (including Anthony DiComo of MLB.com) that he didn’t have anyone in mind just yet, and the team would “cast a wide net” in search of a new manager. In recent days, however, he has begun to narrow the field. According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Mets will only look outside the organization to hire a replacement for Showalter. That takes candidates like bench coach Eric Chavez and third base coach Joey Cora out of the running. As Sammon notes, Carlos Beltrán is another name to come off the table. Beltrán, who briefly served as the Mets manager during the 2019-20 offseason, re-signed with the team as a special assistant to the GM earlier this year.
It’s not surprising that Stearns wants to hire from outside the organization. Other than Beltrán, there aren’t any obvious internal candidates, and what’s more, it’s quite common for a new executive to bring in a manager of his choosing.
The name most frequently mentioned in speculation thus far has been Brewers manager Craig Counsell, although the Mets cannot formally consider Counsell until his contract with Milwaukee expires at the end of October. Still, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Monday that the Mets have “a reasonable chance” to sign the long-time Brewers manager this offseason. It’s more than a reasonable fit; Counsell worked under Stearns in Milwaukee for seven years. What’s more, Heyman cites a source who claims Counsell is looking to be paid “what he believes is fair.” Either team could afford to pay Counsell the salary he’s looking for, but recent history suggests the Mets are far more willing to spend.
Other potential contenders include Astros bench coach Joe Espada, Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy, and Blue Jays first base coach Mark Budzinski. Two years ago, Espada was a candidate for the job that eventually went to Showalter, and he has interviewed for numerous other managerial openings around baseball. Meanwhile, Murphy worked with Stearns in Milwaukee for seven seasons, and he interviewed for the Mets managerial position back in 2019. He could be a consolation prize of sorts if the Mets cannot tempt Counsell away from the Brewers. Finally, Budzinski doesn’t have as clear a connection to New York, but Scott Mitchell of TSN reports that he is in consideration for the job.
While Stearns previously claimed he was open to hiring a first-time manager, the fact that he’s limiting the search to external candidates might suggest he prefers someone with more experience. If that is true, several options will be available, including Counsell, former Giants and Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, and Astros manager Dusty Baker, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Ultimately, however, the Mets remain tight-lipped about any and all candidates they’re considering for the position.
acoss13
Jon Heyman is reporting Counsell as having a good chance of moving on to the Mets? I’m sorry but he’s not that great a source, going to need a more credible source.
Rsox
Heyman also mentioned several “mystery teams” are also in on Counsell
acoss13
Oh nice, the mystery teams! I love when he uses that for his rumors on free agents lol
TrotNixonIsMyHero
I know Brewers fans don’t want to hear this but Counsell to the Mets is a done deal.
Everyone is playing their cards close to their chest to avoid tampering penalties.
About a week into November it will be announced.
I have no “sources”, it just seems obvious that this is what is happening!
paddyo furnichuh
But are their card close to the vest?
SonnySteele
paddy: Some of them have cards up their sleeves. 😉
acoss13
@TrotNixon
You’re a more credible source than Heyman.
abc123baseball
I don’t think Brewers fans are going to be that upset. He’s the best manager in franchise history and is deeply connected to the region. I’d be happy to see him make a run for it with an owner who doesn’t count every bean.
geofft
You’re right. And that is because Jon Heyman is not a reporter. He’s a columnists. He writes his opinions and speculations. But fans, and even other reporting outlets don’t seem to understand the difference. So when he says something like, “The team could blah blah blah..”, people think its from a source – even if he did not cite one.
Buckner
Best (and most important) line in the entire article:
“…the Mets remain tight-lipped about any and all candidates they’re considering for the position.”
Good. That never happened under previous ownership.
tangerinepony
Jon Heyman is full of crap. Counsell is t managing anywhere in 2024. He’s taking time away to spend it with his family. He has 2 sons playing Big 10 baseball at Minnesota and Michigan plus 2 daughters in HS. If you devoted last 32 years of your life in pro baseball even you’d like to take a step back and live life and be a family man.
Blue Baron
@tangerinepony: And what is your source?
I believe you don’t have one and actually have no way to know what Counsell is thinking.
But you talk a good game and at least act like you know what you’re talking about.
tangerinepony
I’m from Wisconsin. Sports talk radio he also just recently with his family are building a house in suburban Milwaukee
tangerinepony
I really don’t give a crap if don’t believe me. I’m stating what I’m hearing on in the sports media in Wisconsin. Craig counsell will not be managing baseball in 2024
Blue Baron
Sports talk radio only reports what they know based on hearsay and Counsell telling them what they wish to hear.
There’s nothing to prevent him from managing a team and living in his beautiful new home in the offseason.
tangerinepony
Listen son, I’m not going to get into a pissing contest with you but counsell will not be managing in 2024 understand ? Believe or don’t believe me I really don’t care
Blue Baron
I’m not your son, and you have no idea what you’re talking about.
But you’re obviously too thick to understand anything.
Blue Baron
@acoss13: Heyman is a lot more credible than any of us on here and just as credible as other baseball writers, being a columnist for a major metropolitan daily.
CravenMoorehead
Lenny Dykstra. Cohen can pay him in yayo.
Blue Baron
What does he have to do with anything?
This one belongs to the Reds
If they weren’t happy with the internal coaching, if course they are going externally.
Grass is green. Film at 11.
Troy Percival's iPad
Give Davey Johnson one last run for old times’ sake
Rsox
That could just be crazy enough to work
For Love of the Game
He’s 80. That is not only “seasoned,” but “well done.”
Rsox
Bring back “Trader” Jack McKeon. He won a World Series at 72, imagine what he could do at 92…
Troy Percival's iPad
So is the President (and 18 Congressmen)
deweybelongsinthehall
Go get Alex Cora! Tampering? Sox fans won’t tell if you don’t.
Torbida
Wally Backman would be fun. Do it Muts
padam
Translation: Counsell is currently external and a candidate for the position. But not for long.
Tom the ray fan
Wonder if the Mets have an ace up their sleeve, like a world renowned hitting coach by the name of Phil Brickma. Personally, I think he’s ready for the next step in his managing career to become a big league manager. Anyone care to share their thoughts?
PantherBrave1921
He is a world renowned pitching coach
Tom the ray fan
He’s both who are we kidding
PantherBrave1921
Fair point he’s the hire Mets fans need
njbirdsfan
Let the big dog eat!
Assdribble_Cabrera
Lou Brown? “OK, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it’s called “two in a row”. And if we win again tomorrow, it’s called a “winning streak”… It has happened before!”
Tom the ray fan
“Nice catch don’t ever f***ing do it again.” – Lou Brown
nukeg
External. Okay, I get it. Zig when others zag. How bout replicate what The Office did when Michael left.
Will Ferrell on Line 2.
nailz#4life
good bye Long Island ducks and welcome home Wally Wayne Backman
Chris from NJ
As much as the Stearns connection weighs heavy, I don’t see Counsell as a New York type of guy. Could end up more Art Howe then Davey Johnson. He’s a great manager but I don’t think he’d wanna deal with media like that plus all the little extra’s managers have to do for talk radio and sny. Just doesn’t seem like him. Not that he’s not capable of doing it, I just don’t see the want. Maybe Uncle Stevie’s money can change his perspective but I’d think not.
Benjamin101677
I don’t expect to see Counsel come to the Mets all the media second guess on every decision; the fact that at least for a while the Mets aren’t the best time in the division on paper. It could be a lot tougher managerial job than realized.
Let’s not forget Stearns was the one who allowed the first place brewers in 2022 to trade josh hader away at the trade deadline. Brewers end up missing the playoffs that year
Albert Belle's corked bat
Luv you’re gramer.
Ma4170
Hader was having a bad year in 2022 so they prob miss the playoffs with him anyway
LFGMets (Metsin7) #InEpplerIsGone!!!!
I just don’t want Beltran as the next Mets manager. I was so disapointed when they hired him the first time. Not only was Beltran the key cog to the Astros cheating scandal, but he also threw the Mets under the bus during his playing days. People seem to forget that he literally just took off without telling the organization that he was getting season ending surgery (which was a year out before his contract year) when the Mets needed him. Hes my least favorite candidate. Honestly sometimes it feels like Steve Cohen’s wife has control over decision making. Shes the main reason why we traded for Lindor and Baez, and offered Correa so much money (all from Puerto Rico just like her, its no coincidence). I believe she was also behind the Beltran hiring as well for obvious reasons. You can’t be having your wife make decision on your baseball team, you just can’t
azcrook
If you think the Mets fans would be disappointed with Beltran……the Giants fans just finally got relief from Kapler
3stitch
They should consider Yadier Molina
SonnySteele
I’d laugh so hard if the new Mets manager turns out to be Aaron Boone.
rct
Yanks would have to fire him first, which doesn’t seem likely.
CowboyRobot
Wally Backman. I want someone completely nuts.
Ben K
I hear Rex Ryan is available
Niekro floater
Does this mean it’s not goin to be Keith hernandez ?
resident
Bobby Valentine with fake glasses and mustache.
AnnaDad
Please take Oli Marmol
acoss13
Mo won’t let go of his yes man, he’s doing too good of a job for him.
getrealgone2
Paul Heyman
PutPeteinthehall
Looks like the job goes to Craig. Looking for a big payday then retire when the deal is over.
Craig lives in Milwaukee but between four plus months on the road and a five month offseason it’s not as much of a big deal to be based out of town as it seems.
brooklyn62
Citifield faithful, 2 words…RON WASHINGTON!
Bart Harley Jarvis
Last time I checked, Ted Lasso’s available.
Old York
Oh, how refreshing it is to see the Mets looking for an external candidate for their managerial opening! I mean, who needs internal talent when you can just bring in someone completely unfamiliar with the organization? It’s not like they have any promising coaches within the team. And yes, firing Buck Showalter, a man with decades of experience, only makes sense if they plan to hire an even more experienced manager. After all, the Mets are known for their stellar decision-making when it comes to their coaching staff. I can hardly contain my excitement for the “wide net” they’re casting. Let’s just hope they catch a manager who can finally lead the Mets to the promised land of consistent success.
cleonswoboda
just wanna note that Willie Randolph is available.
brooklyn62
Still astounded that Willie has never managed again. That’s a crime.
Tomas7
I will miss Buck this coming season and is a shame they took Eric Chavez off of consideration, and would be insane to hire Kapler, Giant fans never took to him. I also saw an article today that had interviewed former Giant GM Sabean and said he wasn’t a Giant fan any longer and that Bruce Bochy didn’t leave under his own power, similar to what happened to Buck. What a world we are living in today.
Grumpofm
For this headline to be true, they only need to interview one outside candidate.