Ranking the Mets' Best Options to Replace Fired Manager Mickey Callaway

The New York Mets made aggressive additions last winter with an eye on contention. Instead, they finished a distant third place in the National League East.

Their 86-76 record was far from terrible. But it wasn't enough to propel the Queens contingent into the playoffs and cost manager Mickey Callaway his job on Thursday.

"I feel unfulfilled. I feel we left some games on the field that we should have won, and we didn't fulfill what we really had as a goal, which was get to the postseason," Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon told reporters. "We're not playing October baseball, and that's what it's about."

Now, the Mets will search for a skipper who can guide them back to the postseason. But who will it be?

Let's rank five rumored candidates from least to most likely based on pedigree, fit, the latest rumblings and a dollop of informed speculation.

No. 5: Carlos Beltran

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Carlos Beltran played for the Mets from 2005 through part of the 2011 season, making five All-Star appearances and winning a trio of Gold Gloves along the way.

The 20-year MLB veteran interviewed for the New York Yankees' managerial job in 2017, and while he ultimately lost out to Aaron Boone, he currently works as a special advisor for the organization.

However, there is unresolved bad blood between Beltran and the Mets, which, as MLB.com's Anthony Dicomo put it, "might require some relationship mending."

Per SNY.tv's Matthew Cerrone, "In advance of his final season with the Mets, reports surfaced that said team officials were frustrated with Beltran's choice to have knee surgery while skipping team-ordered doctor and hospital visits."

Since then, New York has thrown shade in Beltran's direction, including upon his retirement as a player.

If both sides can let bygones be bygones, the 42-year-old could bring the right mix of (relative) youth and unquestioned on-the-field credentials to a Mets team in transition.

No. 4: Brad Ausmus

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The Los Angeles Angels missed the postseason in 2019 and fired manager Brad Ausmus. The Halos are now likely to ink erstwhile Chicago Cubs skipper Joe Maddon, per ESPN.com's Jeff Passan.

The Mets reached out to Ausmus during their managerial search in 2017, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. It didn't work out then.

But it's reasonable to assume the Cheshire, Connecticut, native could be enticed by the possibility of managing a club with playoff aspirations, and the Mets ought to covet his experience (he helmed the Detroit Tigers from 2014-17) and East Coast connection.

No. 3: Luis Rojas

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If the Mets want to make a splash, they'll search outside the organization. If they want a known commodity, however, they should at least consider current major league coach Luis Rojas.

The 38-year-old Rojas is the son of former big league manager Felipe Alou and brother of Moises Alou. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, he's "well-respected in the clubhouse and managed many of [the Mets' current] players in the minors."

Internal hires aren't always glamorous, but sometimes they work out for the best.

Rojas might have to serve another year or two in the lower ranks before he's manager material, but a fast-track promotion isn't out of the question.

No. 2: Buck Showalter

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Buck Showalter has guided the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles into the postseason and won Manager of the Year honors with each club.

As Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post put it, the 63-year-old has spent his career "teaching losing teams how to win, though he never has stayed around long enough to taste the ultimate prize."

Whether he could get there with the Mets is an open question. But Showalter offers experience and pedigree.

Granted, New York owes Callaway $850,000 in 2020 to complete his contract. The dough required to reel in Showalter or another top-shelf skipper could be prohibitive, per Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News. 

On the other hand, if the Mets are serious about hanging with the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals in the National League East, they'll spend what it takes, including on the dugout's top step.

No. 1: Joe Girardi

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Joe Girardi knows a thing or two about managing a team in the Big Apple. He played four seasons with the New York Yankees and spent another 10 years as the club's manager.

He was cut loose after the 2017 campaign and hasn't managed since. Could a return with the Mets be in the offing?

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, "Girardi has told intermediaries he would be willing to listen if the Mets job opens."

Well, the job is now officially open. 

"There's a lot of familiarity with me and New York, maybe that's why you hear my name sometimes, but I feel for these guys and what they're going through because I don't ever want anyone to be let go because I know how difficult it is," Girardi told reporters before Callaway was let go.

Spoken like a former catcher who's playing the field, acting diplomatically but ready to assume duties when called upon.

Will he jump from former Bronx boss to Queens captain? Stay tuned.

All statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference.