The Philadelphia Phillies are swiping Joe Girardi off the market as the New York Mets continue their search for a manager.
The most experienced managerial candidate for the New York Mets—Joe Girardi—is off the market. Girardi is joining the Philadelphia Phillies which was first reported by Jomboy of Talkin’ Yanks and later confirmed by multiple outlets.
Girardi last managed in 2017 when he took the New York Yankees to Game 7 of the ALCS. In 11 years as a manager, Girardi has a career record of 988-794.
Despite the majority of his experience as a manager coming in the American League, Girardi has National League credentials as well. He led the lowly Florida Marlins to 78 wins in 2006 and brought home the Manager of the Year award.
The Phillies sweep the rug out from under the Mets to a certain extent on this move, but it’s not certain that the Mets would have hired Girardi in the first place. General manager Brodie Van Wagenen could be interested in bringing in a first-time manager he can work alongside.
Of the known candidates left, Carlos Beltran, Eduardo Perez, and Tim Bogar are three of the notable names in the mix. Although Mets fans will lament missing out on a potential manager to a division rival, knocking this hire out of the park could make fans forget about Girardi.
Thus far, the organization is playing things close to the vest, but at this point, it appears likely that the Mets will end up going with a first-time manager.
