The New York Mets could have Terry Collins‘ replacement locked up and introduced by Tuesday—if not earlier.
The New York Mets are reportedly close to naming their new manager. No, it won’t be Dusty Baker who was told on Friday that he won’t be back with the Washington Nationals next year.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are close to the goal line in deciding who will replace Terry Collins as their manager. Sources say that the Mets want to finalize a deal this weekend and announce it before the World Series begins on Tuesday.
Mets hitting coach Kevin Long has been the favorite to land the job, though Seattle Mariners third base coach Manny Acta has emerged as another front-runner for the job. Chicago White Sox bench coach Joel McEwing, Cleveland Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway and Houston Astros bench coach Alex Cora have also interviewed for the position. Cora, though, is expected to be named manager of the Boston Red Sox.
As for the Mets, the job might just go to Acta. who according to Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post, “lit up the room” in his interview.
Beware, #Mets fans. Sounds like Manny Acta (a mere 146 games under .500 for his career) might have "lit up the room" in his interview.
— Mike Vaccaro (@MikeVacc) October 20, 2017
We’ll just have to wait and see whether Acta’s light outshines Long’s familiarity with the team’s current roster.