Jerry Manuel Fired by New York Mets: Five Possible Replacements
Two years and a day after Jerry Manuel agreed to terms with the New York Mets to replace Willie Randolph as full-time manager, he finds himself out of a job.
After a successful stint as interim manager in 2008 with a 55-38 record, Manuel really struggled as full-time manager, leading the Mets to two consecutive losing seasons with a cumulative record of 149-175.
Evidently, Manuel did not satisfy the performance levels demanded by ownership and the fans. With a state-of-the-art stadium, a new general manager, and a new-look team, here are the top five candidates to replace Manuel in 2011.
Joe Torre
1 of 5
On the final day of the regular season yesterday, Joe Torre said goodbye to the Los Angeles Dodgers, stepping down as manager so that Don Mattingly can take over as skipper.
Torre, however, refused to use the word "retirement" to acknowledge his stepping down as manager.
On the other hand, Torre did mention before the game that he currently has no plans to manage again except on a short-term basis, which likely rules him out as a possible candidate to replace Jerry Manuel.
Another obstacle to Torre returning to New York is the shape of the Mets. Currently, New York is in terrible condition without a general manager and coming off a second straight fourth place finish in the NL East. It is unlikely that Torre will return to managing for a team which needs not just rebuilding but total reconstruction.
If Torre does return to New York, it will be a great story that would renew the Mets-Yankees rivalry for the heart of the Big Apple.
Bobby Valentine
2 of 5
Bobby Valentine's successful run as the New York Mets' manager from the end of the 1996 season to 2002 was marked by a 536-467 record as well as two postseason appearances and a National League championship.
Now, after a successful run as manager of the Japanese team the Chiba Lotte Marines, Valentine has returned to the United States with the clear intent of filling a managerial vacancy in Major League Baseball.
Despite being the favorite to land jobs with the Baltimore Orioles and Florida Marlins this year after both teams fired their managers, Valentine withdrew his name from consideration for both jobs. Instead, Valentine has spent this year as an analyst for ESPN.
While Valentine remains on the lists of many teams with managerial vacancies, the New York Mets seem like a very probable landing spot. His return to New York could reignite the fire underneath a Mets organization that has disappeared from the NL East race over the past few years.
Bob Melvin
3 of 5
Nicknamed the "Mad Scientist" by Mark Grace, Bob Melvin had a very successful run as the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As Arizona's skipper, Melvin led the Diamondbacks to an NL West divisional title and a victory in the NL Divisional Series in 2007 against the Chicago Cubs.
After being fired in early 2009, Melvin appears poised to reemerge onto the managing scene. The 2007 National League Manager of the Year could be perfect for the Mets' managerial vacancy.
Melvin is a unique case because he combines youthfulness to relate to players with an established coaching pedigree and experience.
One reason why Melvin has an upper hand: He has served as a scout in the Mets' organization since February 8th of this year.
Bob Brenly
4 of 5
At this moment, it seems like no matter who the Mets hire, his first name will be Bob. The third Bob on this list is Bob Brenly, who also previously served as manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Currently, Brenly is serving as a Cubs television broadcaster; however, his name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for several managerial vacancies over the past few years.
While the Cubs have a seat left open from Lou Piniella's retirement, the possibility of managing in New York has to be appealing to Brenly.
Brenly, with a World Series championship under his belt in only four years of managing, is an excellent candidate for any of the vacancies. He hasn't managed since 2004, and judging by the fact that he has interviewed for several managerial jobs in the past few years, it is likely he finally finds a team this offseason. That team could easily be the Mets.
Fredi Gonzalez
5 of 5
Gonzalez has been rumored to be the manager in waiting to Bobby Cox in Atlanta; however, nothing is set in stone. The Cubs are also expected to interview the former Florida Marlins manager.
In 2008 and 2009, Gonzalez led the Marlins to consecutive winning seasons with one of the lowest payrolls in the league, but Jeffrey Loria's unrealistic expectations led to the sacking of Gonzalez earlier in 2010.
As demonstrated by his handling of Hanley Ramirez earlier this year, Gonzalez has the no-nonsense attitude that is desperately needed to restore order in a Mets clubhouse that is complete disarray.
If the Mets can lure Gonzalez away from the rival Atlanta Braves, it will be a coup that will finally give New York Met fans a little something to celebrate. They actually would have beaten a division rival for something.
Justin Eisenband is a student at Georgetown University and an intern for Bleacher Report. To read more of his articles, become a fan at Justin Eisenband's B/R Profile.
