The New York Mets have had internal discussions about John Gibbons and Dusty Baker as possible managerial candidates.
The New York Mets managerial search is heating up after the team fired Mickey Callaway at the end of the season. Joe Girardi and Carlos Beltran have both been heavily linked to the team, with Beltran being considered a serious candidate.
However, the team will cast a wide net and cover all their bases. While they have scheduled some interviews already, there are additional candidates they are considering. According to Andy Martino of SNY, John Gibbons and Dusty Baker are both being discussed internally as options.
Add John Gibbons to the list of potential managers Mets have discussed internally but have not contacted. Dusty Baker and Buck Showalter too, as of a day or two ago. Interviews begin next week, as previously reported.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) October 11, 2019
Buck Showalter, who previously expressed interest in the job, managed the New York Yankees from 1992-1996, when he won the first of his three AL Manager of the Year awards in 1995. He most recently served as the Baltimore Orioles manager from 2010-2018.
Baker, who has won three NL Manager of the Year awards, is an interesting choice. He most recently led the Washington Nationals to success in 2016-17, but has never won a World Series, losing the 2002 World Series in his final year with the San Francisco Giants.
He has only seven losing seasons in 22 years at the helm, three of which came with a Cincinnati Reds team that was strapped for talent. He is known for developing good clubhouse chemistry and commanding respect from his players.
Gibbons is an intriguing option as well, given that he has ties with the team. He made his playing debut with the Mets in 1984 and spent time with the squad on the 1986 World Series team. He actually served as the bullpen catcher during the playoff run.
His coaching start was with the Mets as well, working as a coach in the minor league system from 1990-1994. From 1995-2001 he managed various teams in the minor leagues until leaving to be a coach with the Toronto Blue Jays.
He became the manager of that team in 2004, working in that role until 2008. He served as the team’s manager for a second stint from 2013-2018, and his overall record is 793-789.
While Girardi and Beltran seem to be the frontrunners for the job, there are still plenty of viable candidates on the market.
