Next Met Manager Candidates

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think he'd be a terrific choice.

He's smart. He's intense. And he knows how to win. (I didn't just say that, did I?)

[soupcan]

It would go a long way towards appeasing the fans.

We love him you know.

[Benjamin Grimm]

He'd have to be with the team for all 162 games, wouldn't he? Or would he just manage the home games and let Ron Darling cover for him on the road trips?

[Benjamin Grimm]

The Death Watch does seem to be kicked into high gear.

If the Rockies sweep the Mets this weekend, Willie is doomed. He won't make it back to Shea (except to pack his stuff).

That's my fearless prediction. I'll go further to say that Jerry Manuel will finish out the season, and a full search will occur after October. (Unless Jerry wins the pennant for the Mets, then he'll be retained.)

On the other hand, if the Mets win two, and perhaps one, of the games in Denver, then there's a stay of execution. But unless there's some really sustained winning, it's just a matter of time before Willie is gone.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

The Snooze today blares WIN OR ELSE on the back cover, intimating Willie hits the unemployment line if he doesn't salvage the road trip this weekend. We ought to get 2 of 3 in Colo -- they're not playing well either and will be missing Tulowitzski --and maybe that calls off the dawgs.

What he needs... is a 8 of 10, 10 of 12 kinda run. We're gonna reach the magical 54-game mark (1/3 of a season) in 9 games. That's been my date with his destiny, good or bad, but I suspect the cutters may catch him sooner.

The Snooze report was based on "team sources" -- it was Adam Rubin, IIIRC, whose sources correctly sussed out the Howe firing before it was announced so I kinda wanna take notice.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Buster Olney thinks firing is imminent.


From http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/25034-Buster-Olney-This-May-be-Willie-Randolph-s-Last-Weekend-with-the-New-York-Mets

Dan Siegel wrote: When Steiner asked Olney if he would bet the family farm that Randolph would be gone as Mets' manager by the time next week rolled around, Olney cited the above silent treatment given by management as his justification for an affirmative response. Although Olney seemed to indicate that a strong series in Colorado may help elongate Willie's tenure, the main reason he has not yet been let go is that the Mets do not have a good replacement in mind. Bench coach Jerry Manuel's name has been tossed around, but the feeling in Met-land is that Manuel's personality is too similar to that of Randolph and that when a team is looking to change their manager, they tend to look for somebody that has the opposite (or at least a different) style. Olney claims that the Mets have been considering Jim Fregosi as a potential replacement for Randolph. Fregosi last Major League gig was with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1999 and 2000 when he managed them to two straight third place finishes and a .515 winning percentage. He has previously managed the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, and California Angels. His best season came in 1993 when he led the Phillies to a 97-win season and the World Series, only to fall to his future employer, the Blue Jays. Despite some success with the Phillies, Fregosi has a career .484 winning percentage as manager during the regular season, and a .412 winning percentage during the postseason. Olney claims that Fregosi would be a welcome change from Randolph in that he is good with the media and that he could be helpful in helping get Jose Reyes back on track after four months worth of up-and-down baseball. It is said that Randolph and Reyes do not have a great relationship. Shocking! However, the always reliable Wikipedia claims that, "One general criticism of Fregosi was that he was a manager who relied on veteran players and was unable to develop younger players." Is this the direction that the Mets are going in? In the words of Willie Randolph, "Huh? It smells a little bit."

I think it would be hilarious if, 36 years later, the Mets were to have a press conference introducing Jim Fregosi as their manager!

You never know when a chance at redemption might come. Would we think differently about Jim Fregosi if he won a couple of pennants for us?

I know I would.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

FWIW, I don't see Manuel as the guy they'd wanna go to either if Willie goes, tho mainly because I get the feeling Manuel is a "Willie guy" who might go along with him.

I should also say I feel bad for Willie here. He's not necessarily responsible for the bad play, I think the whole O'Connor-apology thing was humiliating for a guy who desires to be dignified at all times.

[Frayed Knot]

Francesa on WFAN today said that he saw Mex at Yankee Stadium last week and asked him if the Mets offered him the job would he take it. Keith said yes.

I heard this too and was beyond shocked!
Not only did Keith NEVER express any interest in managing but has often specifically and emphatically said otherwise. Maybe his time away from the sport - and he sounded pretty well removed from it for a while after his career ended, as was Darling - rekindled his interest. Maybe also his new marriage and grandpa status have toned down his thirst for the night-life and he won't care as much about batting practice interfering with cocktail hour - which is exactly how he put it when asked if he was interested in a much-lower profile coaching job a bunch of years ago.

I also wonder if Keith will be, uh, how you say, suprised, to hear those thoughts made public. To use a familiar term this week, he probably DID think his little kibbitzing w/big Mike was off the record.

[DocTee]

I got it-- the perfect replacement.

Experienced, smart, affordable: Kevin Kennedy.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

I know that Willie's days as manager of the Mets appear to be numbered. Personally, I don't see him being able to motivate and turn this team around. Willie certainly is not the game's best strategist, but he's not the architect of this mess. I think Omar needs to share in the blame for the disappointing mess that this season is rapidly becoming.

Players keep dropping like flies because Minaya relied too heavily on old, veterans that keep breaking down. Seriously, is anyone all that surprised that Pedro and El Duque have missed so much time. Alou can hit, but his history as a fragile, injury plagued player was well established before he arrived in New York. Castillo is a gimpy shadow of the player he was during his early years with the Marlins, yet Minaya saw fit to not sign him for 4 years. Experienced veterans that have proven they can produce on the field can be very beneficial to a team, but to rely too heavily on such players is to set one's team up for the kind of free fall the Mets now seem to find themselves in.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Rockin' Doc wrote: I know that Willie's days as manager of the Mets appear to be numbered. Personally, I don't see him being able to motivate and turn this team around. Willie certainly is not the game's best strategist, but he's not the architect of this mess. I think Omar needs to share in the blame for the disappointing mess that this season is rapidly becoming.

I have one theory (among others) that Willie's already done and that the Wilpons just need the time to finalize whatever contingency needs to put in place to replace the manager. The Wilpons strike me as very conservative people that would be deeply bothered by the idea that Randolph might have played the race card, even more so than others. If the Wilpons believe that Willie did in fact play the race card, than that might've been the last straw, barring some miracle. Under this theory, he's done. It's official. But it hasn't been disclosed yet. Under this theory, Willie would need SteveJRogers' 20 out of 25 game run to wriggle out of this one -- only he'd need to get these 20 wins over this weekend because he no longer has 25 games to fix (t)his mess. Under this theory, Willie needs to win 20 out of the next four games to save his job.

[Guest AG/DC]

Crazy mcfucking idea, but how about Joe McEwing?

Jumping from AAA hitting coach to big-league manager is atypical, but he sure seems to be on the track.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

I think McEwing still needs to hone his craft in the minors before he can be given serious consideration. One thing for sure, I would expect McEwing to emphasize and demand maximum effort and hustle by the team. This team often seems to lack that spark to me.

[Guest AG/DC]

While I mostly agree, Willie had no minor league experience. (I know, look where that got us.)

My main concern is that Reyes and Wright remain the Mets' top assets, and if there is a change, I don't want it to set them back, but rather to best serve the needs of their continued development and flourishing. As a former mentor/teammate to them both, I thought he'd be in good position to do that.

[Guest AG/DC]

Crazy zero-experience idea number two: Craig Biggio.

Local boy, played multiple positions, known as a hustler and a leader. He's about to have his seven retired in Houston and he can now start to think about building some equity in another number.

[metirish]

Ken Rosenthal on FOX saying that Willie in big danger and that the Mets might reach back to the past and tab Valentine or Davy Johnson , also mentioned that a strong candidate would be White Sox bench coach Joey Cora.

I should say that he thought Manuel would be the immediate replacement .

[Frayed Knot]

AG/DC wrote: Crazy zero-experience idea number two: Craig Biggio.

I just read where Biggio started some youth coaching job down in Houston. Forget the exact details. Not sure if he's ever mentioned interest in big league coaching/managing.

Also treating a ML managing job as an entry level position - particularly one with a major payroll and "Win Now!!!' attitude - is probably not a good idea.

[Guest AG/DC]

But it's fun and crazy to think about.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Adam Rubin handicaps the candidates:

Jerry Manuel ODDS: 8-5 Current position: Mets bench coach Knock would be he's a Willie Randolph clone, but insiders suggest that's far from the case. He and Randolph have disagreed on strategy. And Manuel, a former AL Manager of the Year with the White Sox, with whom he went 500-471, has the fire many say Randolph lacks. He did get ejected at Yankee Stadium. Manuel proudly noted afterward that he led the AL in ejections one season in Chicago. Lee Mazzilli ODDS: 3-1 Current position: SNY analyst A Wilpon family favorite and former Met, he's certainly kept tabs on the organization from the network's studio at the corner of 51st and Sixth. Mazzilli, a former Orioles manager, did pass up a chance to join Joe Torre's staff in L.A. to remain with the Mets' family. Tony Pena ODDS: 4-1 Current position: Yankees coach The one-time Royals skipper would command the respect of the clubhouse and was a finalist for the Yankees' managerial job that went to Joe Girardi. One question: Would Hank Steinbrenner let him walk? Second question: How'd the last hire of a Yankees coach go? Ken Oberkfell ODDS: 6-1 Current position: New Orleans Zephyrs manager A likeable guy and longtime infielder with the Braves and Cardinals, Oberkfell has managed the Mets' Triple-A team the past four seasons. He was named Baseball America's Minor League Manager of the Year when the Mets were still affiliated with Norfolk. If Howard Johnson is David Wright's �baseball father,� Oberkfell is probably a close uncle. Felipe Alou ODDS: 20-1 Current position: Giants special assistant He was signed by the New York Giants in 1955. How's that for a counterbalance to all the emphasis on the Brooklyn Dodgers' at Citi Field? And who would mess with Moises Alou's 73-year-old dad? Bobby Valentine ODDS: 80-1 Current position: Chiba Lotte Marines manager He certainly has his allies in the media, but the Wilpons have been there, done that. The only place you'll catch the Zen of Bobby V is on TV. Or he's managing the Mariners by the time they come to Flushing next month. Manny Acta ODDS: 1,000-1 Current position: Nationals manager Omar Minaya can wish, but Acta is under contract to a division rival, which has team options on him for two more seasons. Maybe the Mets could trade, say, Jose Reyes to D.C. for him. Gary Carter ODDS: 1,000,000,000-1 Current position: Orange County (Calif.) Flyers manager/Loudmouth jerk Lobbied for Willie Randolph's job on the radio before the position was even vacant. Did the same thing when Art Howe was in trouble. Hall of Famer? Yes. Crackpot? Double yes.

[TransMonk]

In my current Mets funk, I would take any of those just to shake things up.

[G-Fafif]

Adam Rubin, on with FAN's Lori Rubinson, thinks Willie's gone Monday. Wasn't presented as a scoop, just his gauging of the situation.

[metirish]

Would the Wilpon's fire Willie on a national holiday?

[G-Fafif]

Minaya spent this trip doing the tight-lipped smile and corporately saying nothing. The meeting with ownership is tomorrow. Even if it is Memorial Day (agreed it's a little tacky), it's hard to imagine the endgame will be postponed given how this thing has taken on a life of its own. The media is circling, the fans will be restless, everybody will have a clue as to what's coming. The thoughtful thing if they really don't believe Willie's their man is to get it over with.

It doesn't sound like they believe Willie's their man.

Rubin on his blog tonight before leaving Denver:

Willie Randolph will meet with Fred and Jeff Wilpon as well as Omar Minaya on Monday at Shea, before the Mets open a home stand against the first-place Marlins. After Sunday�s 4-1 loss dropped the Mets to 23-25, the Wilpons certainly are within their right to hand Randolph his pink slip � no matter how much blame you assign the manager. Asked about any trepidation going into his meeting, Randolph said: �Not at all.� Pressed about whether he expected to be in the dugout Monday night, he said: �I don�t see why not.� Minaya, before departing Coors Field, said about Randolph�s security: �Same as it was when I got here.� That didn�t sound too good, whether tomorrow or some day shortly afterward any firing occurs.

Rubin Saturday morning:

The Shea faithful may be enraged right now, but I�m here to say that there are a lot of decent people suffering, and it�s painful to watch up close. Of course, this is sports, so I don�t mean people are suffering in the sense that victims of the earthquake in China are suffering. But people are about to lose their livelihoods here, beginning with Willie Randolph. And trust me, it�s giving no one any joy to witness. After the Mets lost their fifth straight, 6-5, to the Rockies on Friday night, you could feel the sympathy in the manager�s office - especially after hearing how lukewarm the endorsement of Randolph was during the game by GM Omar Minaya. Minaya would not refute Friday�s Daily News report that Randolph�s job was in jeopardy if he did not have a successful weekend. Instead, asked point-blank if Randolph�s job was in imminent danger, the GM vaguely said: �I�m just going to tell you that Willie Randolph is our manager. He has my support. He has our ownership�s support.�

I thought they'd give him this homestand and the road trip thereafter. But 1-6 after the MFY series, after the O'Connor story, looking beaten and lifeless one day after showing a pulse. I'm no more than 50-50 that I'll be greeting Willie Randolph's Mets at Shea Monday night.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I agree. I think there will be a new manager in place for tomorrow's game. Almost surely someone from within the organization. I think it will be Manuel, although I'd be keeping an eye on Ken Oberkfell. See if he's buying any plane tickets, etc.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Willie, by the way, needs just two wins to pass Yogi Berra and move into fourth place all-time in wins by Mets managers.

I don't think he'll get the chance.

http://leaptoad.com/mets/managers.php

[Guest Grote15]

metirish wrote: Would the Wilpon's fire Willie on a national holiday?

It would be a way to memoralize Willie so to speak..I think there's little chance Willie manages tommorow night.

I think it'll be Manuel, Hojo, or Maz...my guts says Hojo...

And yes AG... Biggio is a great thought..He does have current strong community roots in Houston though...

I'm almost Pining for carlos Gomez and thats' a sick thought..

Whatever happens..eye on the goal..Beat Philly!

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Didn't Mazzilli do a terrible job managing in Baltimore?

[metirish]

I'd rather it not be Maz but I think his gig in Baltimore was doomed from the get go , not being able to pick any of his staff was a bad sign of things to come.

[Frayed Knot]

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Didn't Mazzilli do a terrible job managing in Baltimore?

Depends on who you ask I suppose.

Bal'mer was a bad team getting worse at the time he was there and certainly had a crazy owner and disfunctional front office.
But I also remember rumblings about how Mazz also didn't cover himself with any kind of glory during his stint there -- lots of disenchantment among the players that had nothing to do with with the higher ups.


I'm also REALLY leery about giving jobs to ex-Mets simply on the basis of their former player status. Too many Met fans (and I suppose this is true of most fans as well) have this near-romantic attraction to their former players - and particularly so with '86ers in the case of NYMs. One more phone call from fans screaming about how just the mere presence of Carter, Backman, Keith, Ray Knight, etc. in the dugout would change around the fortunes of the team by instilling a winning attitude and I'm going to strangle my radio.

On that basis alone I'd prefer to see either Manuel or Oberkfell even though I have no strong opinion one way or the other on either of them.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm not sure why, but I find that I'm rooting for it to be Oberkfell.