Craig Counsell to Meet the Mets in New York

With the World Series and 2023 baseball season now in the rearview mirror, the focus now turns to the Hot Stove season, and the ever present need for a new skipper for the New York Mets.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, former Brewers manager Craig Counsell is heading to New York to interview with the Mets for their managerial job.

If you read the following form Heyman it sounds like the Mets are the team to beat in the Counsell sweepstakes: "Sources told The Post recently that Counsell is “serious” about the Mets, as he and wife Michelle love New York, he is interested in raising the salary ceiling for Major League managers and has an excellent working relationship with (David) Stearns."

Moreover, Andy Martino of SNY reports that the Mets and Counsel had a long telephone call that some sources "classified as an interview."

This does not mean Counsell is a slam dunk.  The Mets will have competition for him. The Cleveland Guardians interviewed Counsell earlier this week, and could be a fit. The Houston Astros are looking for a manager now that Dusty Baker retired.

Plus the Brewers could still come calling. Counsell is a Milwaukee native, and has kids in schools around that area. He may want to stay close to home.

Should Counsell not chose the Mets, one name New York could pivot to is Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza.  According to Martino: "One source called Mendoza a "finalist" with the Mets, but another source called that word too strong."

Reports are Mendoza had a phone interview with the Mets, and received an in-person callback. So he is going to be involved.

Mendoza has been a Yankees assistant coach since 2018, and a member of the Yankees organization at the minor league level as a coach since 2009. He managed the Gulf Coast Yankees to a GCL Championship in 2011. In 2012 he managed the Charleston River Dogs and finished 76-63.