Mets lose Cora to Red Sox
CHICAGO — The Mets lost a managerial candidate on Thursday, but could have improved their chances with another.
According to reports, the Red Sox will name Astros bench coach Alex Cora their manager at the conclusion of the ALCS, while the Tigers have chosen Ron Gardenhire to fill their vacancy.
Cora spoke to the Mets this week about their managerial vacancy, but according to a source, he was not offered the job during the meeting. Once his hiring by Boston becomes official, it will leave four known candidates who have received interviews as Terry Collins’ potential replacement in Flushing.
Kevin Long, Mickey Callaway, Joe McEwing and Manny Acta all interviewed for the job, and it is possible team officials will speak to Sandy Alomar Jr. According to an industry source, the Mets have not formally interviewed Alomar, the Indians’ first base coach, but he remains a possibility.
Another source added it’s possible general manager Sandy Alderson still has candidates in mind other than those who have interviewed with the club. But the Mets are expected to begin their second round of interviews next week.
Gardenhire’s hiring in Detroit eliminates a suitor for McEwing, who interviewed with the Tigers this month. Once Cora’s Red Sox hiring becomes official, only the Mets and Phillies would be the left with managerial vacancies. The overlap candidate between those two teams is Callaway, the Indians’ pitching coach, who was expected to interview with the Phillies on Thursday. The Yankees and Nationals still could have managerial vacancies, as Joe Girardi and Dusty Baker are unsigned for next season.
Former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus declined to be interviewed for the Mets’ job, and Robin Ventura told The Post this week he had no interest in pursuing any of the current managerial openings.
Long, the Mets’ hitting coach, might be the front-runner in Flushing based on his familiarity with the personnel and the impression he has made on club officials over the last three seasons as a strong communicator.
Acta has major league managing experience with the Nationals and Indians, but there are questions regarding whether he is suited for New York.