JOE AND TELL
Girardi must show he can be a team player with Mets
J OE Girardi began the interview process as the favorite to be the next Mets manager and had his first face-to-face sit-down Wednesday with Brodie Van Wagenen.
And what we will learn when the Mets ultimately announce who succeeds Mickey Callaway is how that meeting went, whether Van Wagenen or Girardi ever discuss it publicly or not.
Because Girardi did not have to sell the Mets that he can manage a major league team, particularly a win-now one. That is why he was the favorite. The Mets began this process recognizing he checked so many boxes important to them, particularly as a polar opposite to Callaway. The Mets knew Girardi would never be befuddled by the nine innings, never put his foot in his larynx talking to the media, never seem too small for New York.
But the boxes the Mets could not pre-check for certain, that is where the face time magnifies in relevance. Do the Mets believe Girardi can have pleasant/strong ties to his players and front office — imperative today as opposed to say any time Tony La Russa or Jim Leyland had to interview for a job; or even when Girardi was first hired by the Marlins and Yankees? Do they believe he will be collaborative with all the various wings that now funnel information and counsel to the manager’s office? How important is this to the Mets? They never even considered interviewing Buck Showalter because their research/perception was that, among other things, he would not draw within the lines of sticking to his job description and that he suffered those he viewed as fools particularly poorly, even if they had bigger job titles. And Showalter has pretty much all the assets of Girardi, namely no one is going to question whether he can manage a major league game or season.
None of the Mets’ other known candidates — Mike Bell, Carlos Beltran, Eduardo Perez, Luis Rojas and Derek Shelton — has ever managed a major league game. This is why Girardi is the safe candidate.
But so far as GM, Van Wagenen has sidestepped safe for what he feels is right — notably obtaining Robinson Cano/Edwin Diaz in the offseason and Marcus Stroman at the trade deadline. Even though the Mets missed the playoffs, I did not sense that Van Wagenen’s influence with ownership had waned. And this is the only manager he is assured to hire. So, there is no way he is going to tab safe without comfort. So did Girardi check that box with Van Wagenen?
Girardi’s leverage is that he is in play for the Phillies’ opening, also with Showalter and Dusty Baker. But Girardi’s gushing about the Mets’ talent on national telecasts he worked this year perhaps was a tell to what he would favor.
Van Wagenen has shown fearlessness and flamboyance in his year on the job. He was a surprise hire as GM and no one should be surprised if he
goes that way here.
So it should not bewilder anyone if he surprises with this hire — including with someone not publicly cited yet. I have heard the Mets are working with at least two lists — the one with the known candidates and one with people like Baker, Tim Bogar and Robin Ventura in case they were underwhelmed by the first list. There is some shock that the Mets never reached out seriously to Astros bench coach Joe Espada, considering how closer Van Wagenen is to Houston manager A.J. Hinch. And the Mets are not seen involved with A’s quality coach Mark Kotsay, a hot candidate who multiple executives said is under strong consideration to be the Giants’ next manager.
Van Wagenen is not exactly standing on Seaver Way with a bullhorn screaming his plans to the world. Thus, his list could include La Russa and Bill Belichick for all we know.
What has slipped out is the Mets love Rojas and think he has a big future, but it just might not be his time yet. That Beltran has interviewed at all, after his playing time with the Mets ended in such discord with especially Jeff Wilpon, screams about his seriousness as a candidate. That Perez has done in his talks with the Mets what everyone would expect who knows him — disarm and charm with his convivial personality. This all can be relevant and revelatory with Perez.
But the trouble with managerial interviews is the trouble with first dates — somebody is going to put their best self out there and will that be the same person after six months, after 12, after a tough loss against the Nationals?
Still, the interviews have to take place, be part of the process. For Girardi, the interview actually is more important. Because the background check is going to show he can manage a team, can handle New York. But does he play well with others?
On Wednesday, did Brodie Van Wagenen sense he was talking to someone with whom he can form real connection? If not, it will not matter how many boxes Girardi checks.