Mets tab Callaway as team’s new manager

NEW YORK — Looking for a fresh voice to shepherd their prized arms, the Mets found it in new manager Mickey Callaway.

New York agreed to a three-year contract Sunday with the Cleveland Indians pitching coach, according to a person familiar with the decision. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

A news conference to introduce Callaway as Terry Collins’ replacement is expected within the next few days.

With his contract set to expire, Collins stepped down at the end of the season after seven years as Mets manager and accepted a position as a special assistant to general manager Sandy Alderson.

The 42-year-old Callaway, who has never managed at any professional level, has done an excellent job as Cleveland’s pitching coach for the past five seasons under highly successful skipper Terry Francona. Led by ace Corey Kluber, the Indians led the major leagues with a 3.30 ERA and 1,614 strikeouts this season — one year after reaching the World Series and losing to the Chicago Cubs in seven games.

This season, Cleveland won an AL-best 102 games and its second consecutive AL Central title.

Other candidates for the job were Mets hitting coach Kevin Long, Mariners third base coach Manny Acta and White Sox bench coach Joe McEwing.