The New York Mets will conduct a second round of interviews with a trio of managerial candidates beginning this week, according to multiple reports.
The three on the callback list are veteran manager Buck Showalter, along with Joe Espada and Matt Quatraro, who are each seeking to become first-time skippers.
Team owner Steve Cohen is expected to take part in this round of interviews. New general manager Billy Eppler is leading the search to replace Luis Rojas, who wasn’t brought back after two seasons and a 103-119 record.
The 2021 Mets season included an August swoon, which saw them become the first team in MLB history to end the season with a losing record (77-85) after spending more than 100 days in first place.
Showalter, 65, has experience managing in the tough New York market, beginning his managerial career with the Yankees from 1992-95. He also has led the Arizona Diamondbacks (1998-2000), Texas Rangers (2003-06) and Baltimore Orioles (2010-18).
In 20 seasons, he has a 1,551-1,517 record. His teams are 9-14 in the postseason.
Espada, 46, has been a candidate for several managerial jobs but has yet to land his first one. He has managed in the Puerto Rican Winter League and has been the Houston Astros bench coach since 2018.
Like Espada, the 48-year-old Quatraro also has been on the radar for other MLB jobs. He has been on the Tampa Bay Rays coaching staff since 2018, the past three as bench coach.
Both Espada and Quatraro reportedly interviewed for the open manager’s job with the Oakland Athletics.
–Field Level Media