Who is the “Mystery Candidate?” That is the question
everyone is asking right now after reports are surfacing that the Mets are
considering a “bombshell candidate” who is separate from the list of known candidates
for their managerial job.
While we know that Carlos Beltran, Mike Bell, Eduardo Perez
and maybe Joe Girardi are the known candidates for the job, the rumors,
speculation and down right hysteria persists over social media. So let’s have
some fun and throw out some potential “bombshell candidates.”
Alex Rodriguez – This would certainly be the definition of
“bombshell.” A-Rod was one of the games most decorated and polarizing figures
in the sport. A 14-time All Star and
2009 World Series champion with the Yankees, Rodriguez had a wild career in New
York.
A-Rod almost became better known for his off-field antics
than his on-field accomplishments. From starring at himself in a mirror, to
sitting in Central Park shirtless, and, of course, his rampant steroid use,
Rodriguez would certainly garner the Mets a lot of attention.
A-Rod has tried to rebrand himself in television, but like
his playing career, it has been divisive. He’s great on FOX’s pregame show, but
fans can’t seem to stand him on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. Hiring him would mean the Mets are going the
Aaron Boone route for a skipper.
Jessica Mendoza – You knew I was going here, right? I mean
she already works for the Mets as an advisor, so why not? It would be such a
Brodie Van Wagenen type of move. Mendoza, the other half of ESPN’s infamous
Sunday Night Baseball team, would make history as the first female manager or
head coach in professional sports.
Edgardo Alfonzo – I have had debates with people who really want this to happen. What if the Mets fired Alfonzo from Class-A Brooklyn only
to turn around and make him the skipper? Sounds absolutely insane, but you
never know. Alfonzo won the New York Penn League title this past season, and
knows a lot of the players in the Mets system. Plus he is a popular figure from
the late 90s/early 00s teams.
Bobby Valentine – Would love to see Bobby V come back, even
with the mustache and glasses. Valentine won 536 games in seven years with the
Mets from 1996 to 2002, including a World Series appearance in 2000. His last
year as a manger did not go well in Boston. As good of a coach Valentine is, he
is known to have friction with front office personnel and doesn’t take fools
lightly. Can’t see him and Van Wagenen working well together.
John Farrell – One wouldn’t consider Farrell a “bombshell”
candidate, but he did win a World Series in 2013, and won three division titles
in Boston. Reports are he’s interested in managing again. Wouldn’t be shocking
if the Mets kicked the tires on him.
Wally Backman – Have to include Wally in this “bombshell”
list because there are Mets fans that desperately want him to manage the big
league team. But it’s not happening. In addition to his own legal issues,
Backman pretty much blasted the Mets when he never got consideration for the
job from former GM Sandy Alderson. Can’t imagine the Wilpon’s relenting.
Backman though is a good skipper; he wins everywhere, including winning an
Atlantic League title this year on Long Island.
Mike Piazza – Never coached before. Never been reported to
be interested in coaching. Not happening, but it would be a bombshell if the
greatest home run hitting catcher in both Mets and in baseball history suddenly
wanted to manage.
Keith Hernandez – See Mike Piazza.
Bobby Bonilla – I mean the Mets do owe him $1.19 million
ever year until 2035, so why not? This seeps “bombshell” does it not?
Adam Gase – Yeah, I guess if football doesn’t work out, he
could always bring his Cookie Monster eyes to baseball. Just keep Pete Alonso
away from the ghosts Sam Darnold saw the other day.
Rex Ryan – Heard he wants to coach again, don’t know if he
considered baseball. And he can eat enough “G**D*** snacks” in the dugout.
Brodie Van Wagenen – what if the Brodie Van Wagenen’s
“bombshell candidate” is … himself…
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