Met the new boss
AMAZIN’S MANAGER PICK:
Three weeks after the job became vacant, the Mets have found their next manager.
Mickey Callaway, who spent the last f ive seasons as the Indians’ pitching coach, will be the new Mets manager, after accepting a three-year offer Sunday from the club, according to sources. The Post’s Joel Sherman first reported Callaway had been offered the job, after three other finalists for the position were notified earlier in the day they were no longer under consideration.
Team officials expect Callaway, who had also attracted interest from the Phillies, to bring “energy” to the job. The 42-year-old Callaway will be among the youngest managers in the major leagues, as he replaces the oldest — Terry Collins, 68, resigned this month after seven seasons in the position.
Kevin Long, Manny Acta and Joe McEwing, all of whom have ties to the organization, were the other three finalists for the job. Alex Cora, who also interviewed for the job, was officially named as Red Sox manager on Sunday.
In Cleveland, Callaway presided over a pitching rotation, led by Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, that became one of baseball’s best in recent seasons. The Indians lost Game 7 of the World Series last year to the Cubs before getting eliminated by the Yankees in this season’s ALDS.
Callaway is seen by the Mets as the ideal candidate to resurrect a team built largely on starting pitching, led by Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Steven Matz.
“Nice man, but tough also,” said a major league talent evaluator familiar with Callaway’s work. “Might be what those young pitchers need.”
Given the scarcity of pitching coaches who become managers, the move is somewhat unconventional. But general manager Sandy Alders on, as Padres president in 2006, gave Bud Black his first major league managing job. Black this season led the Rockies to a wild-card berth after winning NL Manager of the Year honors with the Padres in 2010.
Long, the Mets hitting coach, was considered the front-runner for most of the search, and now the team must brace for the possibility he will leave the organization. Long’s contract expires Oct. 31, and he may decide a change of scenery is needed after not landing the manager’s job. Of the finalists, only Acta — a former Mets third-base coach — had previous major league managing experience, with the Nationals and Indians.
Call away, a journey man right-hander, was 4-11 with a 6.27 ERA over 40 appearances that spanned f ive seasons in the major leagues, conclud- ing in 2004. Callaway then spent five seasons pitching in South Korea and China before accepting a minor league pitching coach position with the Indians.
He was promoted to t he major league staff after the 2012 season, when Terry Francona was hired as manager.
Among Call a way’ s first projects will be constructin ga coaching staff, with input from the front off i ce. As it stands the team needs a pitching coach to replace Dan Warthen, who wasn’t retained after the season, and a bench coach since Dick Scott has been granted permission to speak with other teams and isn’t expected back. In addition, bullpen coach Ricky Bones and first base coach Tom Goodwin have been allowed to speak with other teams.
If Long departs as hitting coach, his assistant Pat Roessler could be elevated to the top position. Bones is also a potential candidate to become pitching coach, but the organization’s minor league pitching coordinator, Ron Romanick, could also be considered. External possibilities for pitching coach include Dave Eiland and Curt Young.