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Mets begin hunt for new manager
No longer a hostage to the 2017 season, Mets officials Monday began an offseason that features a lengthier “to do” list than normal.
And near the top of that list is finding a new manager, following Terry Collins’ resignation Sunday after seven seasons. Indications are general manager Sandy Alderson will begin interviewing ]candidates this week, and may first attempt to speak with Bob Geren and Alex Cora, before both become ensconced in the postseason with their respective teams.
But it was unclear as of Monday whether Alderson had yet requested permission from the Dodgers and Astros to interview Geren and Cora, both of whom are on the Mets’ list of early possibilities to replace Collins.
Geren is certainly familiar to the Mets after spending four seasons as Collins’ bench coach. The 56-yearold Geren left the Mets following the 2015 season to become the Dodgers bench coach in large part because he wanted a return to his Southern California roots.
Geren’s previous manage- rial experience came with the Athletics from 2007-11, but that tenure included turmoil: relievers Huston Street and Brian Fuentes both publicly criticized Geren for a perceived lack of communication.
As Collins’ top lieutenant, Geren was largely viewed as well-prepared. His thorough understanding of analytics and how they applied to the game appealed to the front office and won him respect among veteran players.
The fact Geren is a former catcher — he spent five seasons in the major leagues, with the Yankees and Padres — could add to his appeal with a team that is built around pitching. Geren worked closely with Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki, and the Mets saw enough of a drop-off at the position following Geren’s departure that they felt compelled to hire Glenn Sherlock as a catching instructor for this season.
The 41-year-old Cora be- came the Astros bench coach this season after spending four years as a studio analyst for ESPN.
Cora has previously been considered for managerial positions and is well-regarded for his understanding of analytics. A former infielder, Cora could sell himself to team officials as somebody who would foster Amed Rosario’s development.
Cora spent 2009-10 with the Mets and is remembered as a fiery presence: Following a loss in Arizona in 2010, teammate Mike Pelfrey was joking with reporters, raising the ire of Cora, who yelled, “A little respect, please,” as he departed the clubhouse.
Other early candidates to replace Collins include Robin Ventura, Kevin Long, Joe McEwing and Chip Hale. It’s also likely that bench coach Dick Scott will receive an interview.
On another front, the Mets are expected to announce this week that pitching coach Dan Warthen will not be retained, ending his nine-year tenure. Bullpen coach Ricky Bones and minor league pitching coordinator Ron Romanick are the primary considerations to replace Warthen.
If Bones is promoted to pitching coach, the Mets could consider the franchise’s all-time saves leader, John Franco, to fill Bones’ spot in the bullpen. Franco, according to sources, is interested in a coaching opportunity with the team should a position become available.