Rumored Management Shuffling

[Edgy MD]

Adam Rubin reporting that (1) Terry Collins is likely to stick around; (2) Wally Backman will return the big league staff as the new third-base coach; and (3) Tim Teufel will transfer off the base lines and become the batting instructor.

Ken Rosenthal reporting that (4) the Mets are working on an extension with Sandy Alderson.

Edgy MD reporting that (5) this all sucks if your name is Lamar Johnson.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think Wally should be the third-base coach when the Mets face a left-handed starting pitcher and Teufel when it's a righty.

[Edgy MD]

If nothing else, it would mean a more skilled infielder to coach the infielders than Teuf or (probably Terry) ever was.

Not that having skills means you can teach skills.

[Zvon]

I think having Wally coach for a season is a good idea. TC can go out a winner (Mets make the post in '15) and the transition to Wally can end up feeling like a more natural thing. TC retires from field work, Backman steps right on up.

[Frayed Knot]

What is it do you suppose leads them to think that Teufel will make a good hitting coach?

[Ceetar]

Frayed Knot wrote: What is it do you suppose leads them to think that Teufel will make a good hitting coach?

If this ends up being true I imagine it'll be because something like "A couple of the players were talking to Teufel about some things and what he had to say really helped them."

I mean, he IS right there after all.

[metirish]

Zvon wrote: I think having Wally coach for a season is a good idea. TC can go out a winner (Mets make the post in '15) and the transition to Wally can end up feeling like a more natural thing. TC retires from field work, Backman steps right on up.

makes sense

[ashie62]

Frayed Knot wrote: What is it do you suppose leads them to think that Teufel will make a good hitting coach?

I am taking it as a demotion for Teufel. I don't know that he has any ability in this new role. The possibility that he is a "nice guy" may have been enough.

[Edgy MD]

The guy has been in the system for eight years, with Collins for five. Presumably he's instructed a batter or two in that time.

[ashie62]

You would think. I still think it may be more a case of keeping Timmy in the dugout. Fine by me.

[Edgy MD]

Jon Heyman is reporting a three-year extension for Alderson, which is a year more than I was expecting, but OK.

[metirish]

Any word on weather his team are along for the ride?, what is their status?

[Edgy MD]

Nothing yet. It's unofficial at this point. Presumably, it'll come out in a post-season press conference.

It's technically not so much a three-year extension, so much as picking up a pre-existing option and then adding an extra deuce.

I had thought I recalled Alderson said earlier in the season that he was interested in GM-ing the Mets for two more years. Maybe he meant two more years beyond his current contract, which in his mind included the option. Or maybe he wants a little more security now that he's not going to get the commissioner job.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think Wally should be the third-base coach when the Mets face a left-handed starting pitcher and Teufel when it's a righty.

Golden!

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

This might be sort of a tryout time for Wally, too. See if he can stay out of trouble and not piss everyone off. Kind of like a test drive.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think Wally should be the third-base coach when the Mets face a left-handed starting pitcher and Teufel when it's a righty. Golden!

Thanks! Except I just realized I got it backwards. Wally started against righties and Teufel against lefties.

[Gwreck]

Mets Guy in Michigan wrote: This might be sort of a tryout time for Wally, too. See if he can stay out of trouble and not piss everyone off. Kind of like a test drive.

Right. Of course, Backman being on the major league staff for a season or two (after having success at AAA) sets him up well to interview for managerial openings, whether they happen in New York or elsewhere.

[Edgy MD]

Mets planning to address the media this afternoon to announce the Alderstension. Notable in that (1) it seems Sandy usually prefers to face the media in less formal settings than a podium at a press conference, and (2) unless somebody else represents ownership (Bill Maher?), it'll be Jeff's first face time since the harassment/wrongful termination lawsuit broke.

[Gwreck]

Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal tweeted that it was only a conference call, not a in-person press conference.

[Edgy MD]

Wimps.

[Edgy MD]

Ken Rosenthal smells like a rose this afternoon. Adam Rubin, not so much.

On the coaching staff's status: "We'll make a decision and have an announcement on the coaching staff very shortly after the end of the season. One rumor I would like to debunk is the possibility of Tim Teufel becoming the hitting coach. That's not something that we're contemplating. Tim does a very nice job for us at third base and with the infielders. I wouldn't anticipate a change in responsibility." On whether Wally Backman is a candidate to join the major league staff: "I'd rather not comment on any specific individuals. We'll make a statement at the end of the season if we have openings, and whether we've immediately filled those or not."

[Edgy MD]

Ruby reporting that Lamar Johnson and Luis Natera are out as batting coaches, possibly bullpen coach Ricky Bones, too.

Whispers in the beatwriters pool that Jeff disapproved of Natera's out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

[ashie62]

I nominate Edgardo Alfonzo for batting coach.

[Edgy MD]

Already been nominated. According to Rubino, Alfonzo's one of the candidates.

A single short season in the NY-Penn League, though, that's not a whole lot of experience either.

[Edgy MD]

From the "Abreu" thread:

Frayed Knot wrote: On the hitting coach front, Mets Blog (citing various sources) lists candidates under consideration to include Abreu, Edgardo Alfonzo, Savannah hitting coach Val Pascucci, LV hitting coach George Greer, and roving instructor Jack Voigt. Lamar Johnson is expected to be reassigned within the org.

[Edgy MD]

Remember Jim Malone? Strength and conditioning coach Jim Malone?



You know, like to go cruising with his wife?



Yeah, well, that guy is out. The Mets' new organizational S&C guy is Mike Barwis.



[fimg=450]http://images.askmen.com/1080x540/sports/bodybuilding/mike-barwis-interview-1096890-TwoByOne.jpg[/fimg]

You may remember Mike from last winter, when the Mets packed a few of their guys --- Duda and Tejada and Flores, if I remember correctly --- off to his Midwestern camp for conditioning and shit. And yeah, he's a Michigan guy.



Man's got a method, he's got an motivational attitude, and he's got a connection to Fred's alma mater. What else could you ask for? A reality show?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I'd bet a kidney his favorite movie is Braveheart, 300, or Gladiator.

[Ceetar]

#BerwisMEThod

That cruise ship photo of Malone is sorta scary. Was that the ship that got lost at sea?

[Frayed Knot]

A strength/conditioning coach without forearm tats ... is that even allowed?

[Frayed Knot]

The Puma Sez - Mets are pursuing recently fired NYY hitting coach Kevin Long, although several other teams are as well including Arizona where Long is apparently tight with the just-hired Chip Hale

Also mentioned:
- Abreu probably not a HC candidate for this year
- Teufel has indicated he's not interested and will remain as 3B coach
- no indication that the club has reached out to Edgardo Alfonzo
- AAA hitter coach George Greer remains a possibility
- Rico Brogna has an interest but it's unclear whether that interest goes both ways

And on a semi-related note: the shortening of fences looks like it will proceed--as per Sandy's directive--although no specifics at of yet.