The Mets have narrowed their highly anticipated managerial search to three names. The three names contain a mix between a manager with 20 years experience and two highly respected up and coming coaches. This article will highlight the pros and cons of all three candidates.
Embed from Getty ImagesCandidate #1 – Buck Showalter (Current Role – MLB Network Analyst)
Buck Showalter is the industry favourite to land the job. Showalter has 20 years of managerial experience over four teams, his most notable tenure came with the Baltimore Orioles. During his nine years there, he went 669 – 684 and guided the O’s to the postseason three times.
If Buck were to be made Mets manager, he would bring instant credibility to the dugout. Showalter’s no-nonsense managerial approach will be embraced by Mets fans, who endured star players Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez putting their thumbs down at them last season as their way of booing the fans. Showalter is also known to be excellent with the media, and well liked by newest Met Max Scherzer which only boosts his case to be hired.
Buck is known to be a great control freak however which leads to concern with him not being able to embrace analytics. In 2022 the Mets will have one of the biggest analytics departments in all of baseball and there is concern that he may revert to ‘small ball’ tactics if the Mets go on a losing streak.
Candidate #2 – Joe Espada (Current Role – Houston Astros bench coach)
Embed from Getty ImagesJoe Espada one of the most respected up and comers in all of baseball. He is currently the Houston Astros bench coach and has been in that role since 2018, the year of the sign stealing debacle but wasn’t involved so went unpunished by MLB.
If Joe were to be made Mets manager, he is already familiar with GM Billy Eppler after working with him in the New York Yankees organisation, which works as a positive in his favour. Espada works in the Astros organisation which is a highly analytically driven team which could mean a smoother transition to the role than Buck may have. Espada is also a Puerto Rican native which could have an impact on Lindor, who struggled a little bit acclimating to New York.
However, Joe has never managed a Major League team before, so there is always a risk with a first time manager. With the Mets recent history of first time managers, and COO Steve Cohen saying he doesn’t want anyone learning on his payroll, they may pivot to a manager with more experience to guide them in 2022.
Candidate #3 – Matt Quatraro (Current Role – Tampa Bay Rays bench coach)
Embed from Getty ImagesMatt Quatraro is another well respected up and coming coach in all of baseball. He is currently the Tampa Bay Rays bench coach and has been in that role since 2018, he was initially hired as the third base coach but was promoted when Charlie Montoyo became Blue Jays manager.
If Matt were to become manager, he is known to be analytically strong and is known to have a loud and well-respected voice inside the Rays dugout, who have reached the postseason in the last two years. Quatraro has worked under two veteran managers, Terry Francona and Kevin Cash so has gained valuable experience from them. He has also been considered for many other managerial openings in the past.
However, similar to Joe Espada, Quatraro has never managed an MLB team before so there is always a risk with that. But, the Rays have a great history of producing managers, for example Rocco Baldelli and Charlie Montoyo.
Photo by G Fiume
Alex is the Mets correspondent for Bat Flips and Nerds. You can follow him on Twitter at @AlexWorth17