This could be the final week in the managerial tenure for Terry Collins and Mets GM Sandy Alderson said that will be determined when the season concludes Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia. So the center of attention this week as the Mets conclude their final homestand is the future of their manager.
According to sources, Collins has indicated this will be his last year guiding the Mets. Another source informed NY Sports Day that Collins, in a contract expiration year, is having second thoughts and wants to go out as a winner. With a healthy team it is obvious the Mets can contend again next year and Collins wants to be a part of that.
Chip Hale, the former third base and bench coach under Collins, is highly touted and has been approached to succeed Collins in the dugout.
Hale had a brief and tough managerial tenure with the Arizona Diamondbacks. A source close to the situation told NY Sports Day, Hale is interested in the Mets managerial job and the Mets have contacted him already to see if the interest in mutual.
He is highly regarded by Mets ownership and according to a source a leading candidate if Collins and the Mets part ways under a mutual agreement.
According to various sources the Mets have reached out to Bob Geren, former bench coach with Collins and currently in that capacity with the Los Angeles Dodgers who has knowledge of the Mets system and a favorite of Alderson.
Brad Ausmus, not returning to Detroit is not under consideration and according to various sources, he does not fit into the analytical and metrics role and the Alderson approach.
Another name under consideration is Rob Gardenhire, former manager of the Twins and a player with the Mets, but he is a longshot.
Of course, all of this is dependent on Collins retiring.