Red Sox Rumors: Mets' Hensley Meulens Drawing Interest for Vacant Managerial Job

The Boston Red Sox were unexpectedly thrown into a managerial search when Alex Cora was fired Tuesday following MLB's investigation into the Houston Astros illegally stealing signs beginning with their 2017 World Series run. 

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Red Sox "have shown interest" in New York Mets bench coach Hensley Meulens. Heyman noted Meulens is "presumably" also a candidate for the Mets' newly vacant manager position after Carlos Beltran was ousted Thursday.   

Cora served as the Astros' bench coach in 2017, while Beltran played for the team. 

MLB released its official findings from the investigation Monday, which outlined—in part—the involvement of Cora and Beltran in the Astros' elaborate sign stealing.

Cora was hired by Boston following the 2017 season and led the Red Sox to a 2018 World Series title. The 44-year-old went 192-132 overall across the 2018 and '19 regular seasons.

"The goal remains to be competitive always," Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said earlier this week, per The Associated Press' Jimmy Golen. "2020 is important. So are 2021, 2022 and beyond."

Boston will have to move quickly to replace Cora with 2020 Spring Training set to begin on Feb. 21, but the club doesn't seem to be looking for a one-and-done manager.

Meulens was just hired as Mets bench coach in November 2019 after spending eight seasons as hitting coach and two as bench coach for the San Francisco Giants. He won three World Series in San Francisco. 

Should the Mets decide to hang onto Meulens, MLB.com's Ian Browne named Red Sox bench coach Ron Roenicke and former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek as potential internal managerial hires. Externally, Browne listed Chicago White Sox bench coach Joe McEwing, Oakland Athletics quality control coach Mark Kotsay and ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez, among others, as candidates.

Red Sox fans made it known to members of the club's front office during Winter Weekend that they prefer Varitek, according to Boston.com's Deyscha Smith.