Joe Girardi Favorite to Land Phillies Job

The New York Mets are on the precipice of potentially losing Joe Girardi to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies have emerged as the odds on favorites to land Girardi who reportedly had a second interview with the club. The Mets were also scheduled to interview Girardi a second time on Tuesday according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.

But the popular opinion is that Girardi is likely heading to the City of Brotherly Love. The former Yankees manager even appeared on Mike Francesa’s radio program in New York, indicating he expects to have his managerial future decided within the next 48 hours.

If Girardi ends up in Philadelphia, it would be a devastating black eye for Brodie Van Wagenen and the Mets. The last thing New York can afford is to have the most coveted managerial candidate this off-season end up in the same division.

The problem is the Phillies, unlike the Mets, have deep pockets are willing to spend (see Bryce Harper and 13-year contract, for example). The Phillies want Girarid to change the culture. They see a division where the Nationals are defending National League Champions, the Braves are NL East Champions, and the Mets have budding young talent, and they know they need a manager to steer a ship that went off course this season.

Girardi received a lot of credit for managing a clubhouse with multiple big stars and bigger egos. From Alex Rodriguez, to Derek Jeter to Mark Teixiera, you could go on and on. Girardi managed to keep the Yanks a winner every year he managed there.

The Mets desperately need a manager with a credible resume after taking a flyer on inexperience with Mickey Callaway the last go-around. But it is hard to phantom Van Wagenen wanting to work with a manager he can’t control, and even harder to picture the Wilpon’s be willing to pay someone like Girardi.

The Mets seem content with a list that contains former outfielder Carlos Beltran, who has never coached before in his career; Eduardo Perez who works at ESPN and a mystery candidate according to Andy Martino of SNY. 

This is the kind of musical chairs that has Mets fans deeply concerned, and with good reason. 

If Girardi goes to Philly and wins, it could go down as one of the most infamous moments in Mets history.