Joe Maddon is on the hot seat as manager of the Chicago Cubs, but he is hardly the only manager feeling the heat as the regular season comes to a close. Despite a miraculous second-half turnaround that has the New York Mets just four games out of a Wild Card spot, Mets manager Mickey Callaway might be at the end of his leash in the Big Apple.
Callaway has routinely been criticized for his game management and his understanding of matchups, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic indicates that the Mets might be interested in Maddon if he and the Cubs decide to part ways:
Actually, Manager of the Year would be a stretch for Callaway, who at times is strategically challenged. First-year GM Brodie Van Wagenen inherited Callaway, and the Mets could justify dismissing him by saying they simply prefer one of the bigger names – be it someone like Maddon, if he becomes available, or Girardi.
Interestingly enough, these Mets are constructed in a very similar fashion to the 2015 Cubs that Maddon took over from Rick Renteria. New York has a standout rookie slugger (Pete Alonso) and a crop of young and promising players (Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto and others) that are buoyed by a dominant starting rotation.
New York was expected to be a dark horse contender in the National League, but a disappointing first half and poor performances from big acquisitions like Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz didn't help.
Still, the Mets look like a club that is built for the future. Maddon has plenty of experience working with a young core, and New York could be enticed by his track record of success.
Follow Us
Subscribe