The New York Mets reportedly have picked their next manager, and it is not the veteran skipper they had been linked to the most in recent weeks.
With MLB free agency set to start this week, all signs pointed to the Mets deciding on who would be the man to replace former skipper Buck Showalter. With former Milwaukee Brewers executive David Stearns now installed as the President of Baseball Operations, it seemed like his former manager with the team, Craig Counsell would probably be a top candidate for the position.
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Leading into this weekend, it seemed that the organization’s search had come down to two candidates. Counsell, and New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza. Nevertheless, the far more experienced Counsell seemed to be the odds-on favorite to win the job. However, in the end, Mendoza was chosen to b the team’s new skipper.
New York Mets record (2023): 75-87
SNY MLB insider Andy Martino confirmed the surprising news about Mendoza’s hire Monday afternoon. Furthermore, The Athletic MLB insider Ken Rosenthal revealed that Counsell — who is a free agent manager — will not be returning to Milwaukee and instead has shockingly been hired to replace David Ross who was set to enter his fifth season as manager in 2024.
Before settling on Mendoza, the Mets also reportedly had an interest in Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay.
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Mendoza has served as the Yankees’ bench coach for the last four seasons. Previously, the 43-year-old has worked as an infield coach and also managed in the Yankees minor league system from 2009 to 2012 before becoming a roving defensive instructor.