Report: Mets on Track to Hire Next Manager 'Within a Week'; Counsell, Mendoza Linked

The New York Mets "are on track to make a hire within a week" for their open managerial position, per SNY's Andy Martino.

New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza had an in-person interview on Wednesday, and former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell, whose contract has expired, is scheduled to speak with the Mets on Thursday, per Martino.

Those appear to be the two top candidates at this time to replace veteran skipper Buck Showalter, who was let go after two seasons at the helm.

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay is reportedly "in the mix," per Martino, who added that "it is unclear to what extent."

Joel Sherman of the New York Post also reported that the Mets interviewed Chicago Cubs bench coach Andy Green, who used to manage the San Diego Padres.

Mendoza and Counsell are also reportedly candidates for the Cleveland Guardians job, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The Brewers also would like Counsell to return to the mix.

The Mets can certainly throw tons of money at their top candidate. With owner Steve Cohen now in charge, New York had the highest payroll in baseball last year at over $353 million.

Whoever takes over will have a tough task at hand after the Mets, who won 101 games in 2022, floundered in 2023 en route to a 75-87 record.

New York started the rebuilding process midseason by jettisoning a host of veterans, including starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. There's still a good amount of talent left over, though, in the form of Pete Alonso, Kodai Senga, Francisco Lindor and more.

Ultimately, it appears the Mets are close to finding their new skipper to kick off the president of baseball operations tenure of David Stearns, who arrived in town after serving as the Brewers' GM.