Mets Will Pursue External Candidates for Managerial Opening

When David Stearns took on the role of president of baseball operations for the Mets, the first major decision he had to make was to find a new manager after firing Buck Showalter. At his introductory press conference, Stearns mentioned that he didn’t have a specific candidate in mind yet and that the team would be conducting an extensive search. However, recent reports indicate that the Mets are now focusing on external candidates for the managerial position.

According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Mets will not consider internal candidates like bench coach Eric Chavez, third base coach Joey Cora, or Carlos Beltrán, who previously managed the team. Beltrán has since taken on a different role as a special assistant to the GM.

The decision to look outside the organization for a new manager is not surprising, as there are currently no obvious internal candidates available. It’s also common for new executives to bring in managers of their choosing.

The name that has come up frequently in speculation is Brewers manager Craig Counsell. However, the Mets cannot formally pursue Counsell until his contract with the Brewers expires at the end of October. Nonetheless, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Mets have a good chance of signing Counsell, especially considering his history with Stearns during their time in Milwaukee.

Other potential candidates include Astros bench coach Joe Espada, Brewers bench coach Pat Murphy, and Blue Jays first base coach Mark Budzinski. Espada was previously considered for the manager position that Showalter eventually filled, and he has interviewed for managerial openings in the past. Murphy, who previously worked with Stearns in Milwaukee, could be an option if the Mets are unable to secure Counsell. Budzinski, despite not having a clear connection to New York, is also under consideration, according to Scott Mitchell of TSN.

While Stearns initially expressed interest in hiring a first-time manager, the fact that the Mets are now focusing on external candidates suggests a preference for more experienced individuals. Possible options include Counsell, former Giants and Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, and Astros manager Dusty Baker, whose contract expires at the end of the season. However, the Mets have been tight-lipped about the candidates they are considering for the managerial position.