The second half of the 2017 season might be the finale for Mets manager Terry Collins’ career. We take a look at some potential replacements for 2018 and beyond.
Terry Collins is a man with an uncertain future. His contract expires at the end of the season and he’s dropped hints over the past year that he may not be looking for a new one.
“At the start of this year,” he told the New York Post‘s Kevin Kernan in April, “I said I am going to enjoy the year, have some fun, get us to play good, and at the end of the year I hope they say, ‘We’d like you back,’ or maybe I will say, ‘I’m done.’”
With the way things went in the season’s first half, the timing could be right for a managerial change. Some familiar names could be available this offseason to take over in the dugout.
Here’s a look at who those potential successors might be.
Chip Hale: Oakland Athletics Acting Bench Coach/Third Base Coach
Hale was previously the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2015-2016, compiling a record of 148-176. His firing was questionable, and he certainly deserves another shot at running a team.
Some might remember Hale from his time as a third base coach with the Mets, a role he held from 2010-11. He’s familiar with the front office, as his last year with the club was general manager Sandy Alderson’s first.
In between the Mets and Diamondbacks, he spent three years as the A’s bench coach from 2012-14, returning to Oakland this season as the third-base coach. He’s since moved into the bench coach role with Mark Kotsay on a leave of absence.
Hale was a popular coach in his short time with the Mets and could be a lead candidate for the job. He was a finalist for the job the last time the vacancy was open in 2010 which went to Collins.
Joe McEwing: Chicago White Sox Bench Coach
Many Mets fans remember “Super Joe” as a utility player for the team for five seasons, from 2000-2004. Today you can find him in Chicago’s dugout as Rick Renteria’s bench coach. He is in his 7th season on the White Sox staff, originally hired by Robin Ventura as third base coach. He also has experience managing in the minor leagues.
Only 44, McEwing is the kind of young, up-and-coming candidate that could lead the next crop of big league managers. The Mets would be wise to at least try and bring him in for an interview.
Bob Geren: Los Angeles Dodgers Bench Coach
Before joining the Dodgers as bench coach last year, Geren spent four seasons (2012-2015) as the Mets bench coach and catching instructor. Before signing on with the Mets, Geren managed the Oakland Athletics for five years, compiling a record of 334-376.
Geren has a history with both the front office and many players on the roster. His work on the coaching staff has been missed since his departure. He’s well-respected and bringing him back to the dugout could help the Mets in multiple ways.
Whether Geren would even be interested in the position, however, is unknown. He left the Mets for the Dodgers because he wanted to be closer to his family.
Dave Martinez: Chicago Cubs Bench Coach
Joe Maddon’s longtime bench coach, both in Chicago and Tampa Bay, Martinez has been mentioned as a candidate for multiple managerial openings in the past. Why he’s never gotten a chance to manage is unknown, but he’s got the credentials to do so.
Aside from his extensive coaching experience under Maddon, one of the game’s best managers, Martinez spent 16 years in the big leagues as a player, a career that began in 1996 and ended in 2001.
Mike Redmond: Colorado Rockies Bench Coach
Redmond managed the Miami Marlins from 2013-2015, finishing with a record of 155-207. It’s never easy to manage the Marlins and, like some of the other candidates we’ve mentioned, he’s deserving of a second chance in the dugout.
A former MLB catcher (1998-2010), Redmond’s experience behind the plate could help the Mets with their catching issues.
Of course, these aren’t the only names that could be considered, should the job become available.
Current Marlins third base coach and former Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez, Arizona bench coach and former Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire and New York Yankees first base coach and former Kansas City manager Tony Pena could all be of interest.
Whether Collins retires or not, Alderson will have a very important decision to make regarding the managerial position. The pressure to manage in New York is substantial and hiring a first-time manager could be risky.
The pressure to pick the next manager of the Mets is even greater.
