Who's Next

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'm going to name all my threads after Who albums and songs from now on.

Also, I don;t think Terry is coming back.

Which of these guys (or other, unnamed guy) will be the next manager? If your opinion and your prediction differ, let us know that too.

[Edgy MD]

Pedro Lopez is your Eastern League Manager of the Year.

Not that I'm rooting for him, but if he leapfrogged 1986 legends like blue-collar spitfire Wally Backman and bespectacled Christian Tim Tuefel, well, the Omar-hating, xenophobe wing of what's left of the WFAN base would go gloriously nuts.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

I do think Terry's coming back. He kept the team afloat for a long time, and now he's lost every one of his best players to injury or trade. I don't see how they can hold that against him. I don't think they give him a long-term deal. But a two-year extension? I can see that.

[Ceetar]

I went with Backman, I feel like it's the inertia choice. I don't like it though.

I want Bobby Valentine back, or someone equally intelligent about the game. (I feel the same way about Dan Warthen. Think he'll be back, think there are certainly better and more creative options)

I love watching guys manage that are always thinking. And with all the data available to managers these days, an intelligent guy can make a difference, although there would be a lot of teeth-nashing I'm sure.

[Edgy MD]

I tell youse this: If Terra Cotta gets retained, then we could be in for a coupla dramatic offseason of personnel moves. If he gets replaced, it could be a way of representing a change of course for the team without otherwise doing high-impact offseason investing.

Just a thought. Sandy's taxed a lot of patience staying the course and people wanna see something shiny.

[list:3vhp97z7]So Sandy asked the Lord, "Why have You brought such trouble on Your servant? Why are You angry with me, and why do You burden me with all these people? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth so You should tell me, 'Carry them at your breast, as a nursing woman carries a baby,' to the land that You swore to [give] their fathers? Where can I get meat to give all these people? For they are crying to me: 'Give us meat to eat!' "I can't carry all these people by myself. They are too much for me. If You are going to treat me like this, please kill me right now. If You are pleased with me, don't let me see my misery [any more]."

--- The Book of Mets by the Numbers 11:11-21[/list:u:3vhp97z7]

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'm really fascinated by this question if you couldn't tell.

I suspect The Plan all along was to use Terry as a kind of positive cheerleader during the down years then hand the reigns to a guy with real championship juice concurrent with the payroll increase/maturation of prospects so as to continue whatever momentum we have going, make it seamless & stuff.

Who is that guy? I think he probably has to have experience but still be an up-and-comer, can't be too old-school etc etc.

[TransMonk]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I suspect The Plan all along was to use Terry as a kind of positive cheerleader during the down years then hand the reigns to a guy with real championship juice concurrent with the payroll increase/maturation of prospects so as to continue whatever momentum we have going, make it seamless & stuff.

I agree completely with this.

However, I don't think the team is there yet and Terry will be re-signed.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think it will be Terry, probably a two-year deal, no option year.

I'd sorta kinda like it to be someone else, but as I said in another thread in the past week, I'm split on whether the new guy would be better or worse, so if they stick with Terry I won't gripe.

[HahnSolo]

Listening to Sandy yesterday, I'm not so sure Terry is going to be back. Before yesterday I was thinking it was about 80/20 in Terry's favor. Now I think it is closer to 50/50.
Not sure how I feel overall on Terry; I don't think he has wildly overachieved nor wildly underachieved.

When push comes to shove, I predict it is Terry...2 years, no option, and a very short leash.

None of the others listed really do much for me. I have said before that I would love to see Backman get a chance...but I'd prefer another team give him that shot.

[Ceetar]

the hint might be the rumor that Warthen will stick. (unless it's baseless anyway) It seems more like that Terry stays or someone/Backman is promoted from the system to manage, because a new guy would presumably at least be included in the retaining of the coaches discussion right?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Ceetar wrote: because a new guy would presumably at least be included in the retaining of the coaches discussion right?

If they bring in a veteran manager, he'd more likely be allowed to have a say in who his coaches are.

If it's a rookie manager, I think he takes the staff that he's given.

[Zvon]

Terry for two!
A Met manager has to REALLY suck for me not to support him. TC don't suck.

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Ceetar wrote: because a new guy would presumably at least be included in the retaining of the coaches discussion right? If they bring in a veteran manager, he'd more likely be allowed to have a say in who his coaches are. If it's a rookie manager, I think he takes the staff that he's given.

Perhaps. I don't know if that's how it should be though. If you're hiring a guy to be leader, you should let him choose who works under him, no matter if he's a veteran or a rookie. If you're going to micro-manage a little bit and direct 'how' you want your manager to manage (i.e. stick with this pitching/hitting coaches game plan, work with it) then maybe just stick with Collins.

[Guest themetfairy]

I picked Bobby. Not because I really think he'll be the manager, but he's always high on my managerial wish list.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

It's unfortunate but you have to think his stint in Boston was so damaging to the Bobby V brand it may not recover in time for him to be named a big-league manager again -- at least this soon.

If I were an independent league team owner I'd offer him a job on the spot, pay him in stock.

[Edgy MD]

It's a shame (and less than American) that paying players and managers in stock is unallowed by MLB. It used to be a great model of upward mobility. Marquee player --> Manager --> Minority Owner --> Controlling Owner. Charlie Comiskey took that route. Clark Griffith, Cap Anson, and Connie Mack, too.

Anson was something of a turd, but still.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

"I've always been a big fan of I've-got-money-on-this as a job motivator."

-Anonymous Ex-MLB Manager

[Frayed Knot]

Mike Puma sez: Collins "all but guaranteed" to return as NYM manager. Doesn't make any guesses as to how long a contract.

Also in article: "Alderson, through channels, has made it known there is almost no chance he would hire popular Wally Backman to guide the Mets if there was an opening at the major league level."; later adding that Backman will most likely leave the organization unless he's offered an ML coaching job which is iffy as it could be seen as threatening to Terry.



http://nypost.com/2013/09/11/collins-all-but-guaranteed-to-return-to-mets/

[Centerfield]

Terry Collins is my third favorite manager since I've been watching the Mets (behind Bobby, then Davey). So chances are whoever they bring in would likely not be as good. So I'm fine with bringing back Terry.

Otherwise, let's get Jim Leyland.

[Centerfield]

As far as predictions, I think TC will be back for the reasons stated above. Everyone thought Terry would be a transition guy until the team is competitive again. I think they realize the team is not there yet. So, back comes Terry.

[Edgy MD]

I briefly saw in passing that Pedro Lopez has joined the staff as a September coach. ("Run that ball out, September!" "�Apoyarse en ella, Septiembre!" "I want to see some hustle, you lazy, good-for-nothing, autumnal lunar cycle!")

I didn't see anything indicating Backman has gotten the same honor (though he did, last season, I believe). If you're looking for indicators, that's certainly one.

[metirish]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think it will be Terry, probably a two-year deal, no option year. I'd sorta kinda like it to be someone else, but as I said in another thread in the past week, I'm split on whether the new guy would be better or worse, so if they stick with Terry I won't gripe.

I tend to agree, but damn, that would be five years of Terry?

I do want to see what he could do with a team expected to win.....problem is when the hell will that be?

[MFS62]

Not only would I NOT bring TC back, but I'd find that book he carries around (that says you should remove relievers even after they've gotten a batter out) and burn it. (I think it was written by Tony LaRussa)
Rather burn that book than have the next manager read it and burn the bullpen.

I think Ron Gardenhire should continue his Metliness here.
Later

[Ceetar]

Centerfield wrote: As far as predictions, I think TC will be back for the reasons stated above. Everyone thought Terry would be a transition guy until the team is competitive again. I think they realize the team is not there yet. So, back comes Terry.

I think more that they've decided as transitional as he was intended to be, they like him as a manager and see no reason to replace him.

I disagree, I'd always look for something better, but we could also do a lot worse.

[Vic Sage]

i think TC is an adequate steward for these transitional (i.e., sucky) years, but i have no confidence in him steering a good team to a post-season. If Harvey is going to be out all of next year, then there is no point in bringing in a hired gun, or even anointing an heir apparent. So i see him getting one more year, with an option that doesn't get picked up, before they go with someone else.

I don't get the impression that Sandy is interested in micro-managing a manager (unlike his protege, Mr. Beane), and so would probably give a new manager (rookie or veteran) the right to choose his own coaches, subject to pre-existing deals and cost of future contracts. He certainly SHOULD do so, anyway. I'm hopeful he stays away from a "spitfire" (i.e., redneck asshole) like Backman. I think Teufel has the chance to be Gardenhire-like, but maybe my judgment is influenced by their similarity as players.

I love the idea of getting Gardenhire though... but would Minny let him go?

[HahnSolo]

Edgy MD wrote: I briefly saw in passing that Pedro Lopez has joined the staff as a September coach. ("Run that ball out, September!" "�Apoyarse en ella, Septiembre!" "I want to see some hustle, you lazy, good-for-nothing, autumnal lunar cycle!") I didn't see anything indicating Backman has gotten the same honor (though he did, last season, I believe). If you're looking for indicators, that's certainly one.

Gary and Ron talked about this last night or the night before. Wally did not get the call this year. Ron implied that management was displeased with comments about Davis when he was first sent down, and that has a lot to do with him not being called up.
[i don't specifically recall what Backman said; I think I read somewhere that he thought most of Ike's problems were in his head...I can't imagine that alone would aggravate the front office that much]

[Edgy MD]

I think, whatever he said, the fact that Davis hit like a superhero while in the PCL has got to be worth something. And coming back to the bigs, if nothing else, without his absolutely crippling penchant for chasing junk at his ankles, that was good too.

[MFS62]

Vic Sage wrote: I love the idea of getting Gardenhire though... but would Minny let him go?

I heard one of those Baseball Tonight talking heads say that it is possible.

Later

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: I think, whatever he said, the fact that Davis hit like a superhero while in the PCL has got to be worth something. And coming back to the bigs, if nothing else, without his absolutely crippling penchant for chasing junk at his ankles, that was good too.

Yes but..perhaps that was Lopez's influence? I know managers generally get credit/blame for everything, but the organization would probably have a better idea on who/what was responsible. If I recall, a lot of it was to stop having 17 people telling Ike was he needed to do so there's every chance that they sent him to Vegas with the instruction to only talk hitting with one specific person (which could've been Wally) and he's the one getting the credit internally.

[metirish]

Most of us think Terry is coming back......