SNY’s Andy Martino reported that the roster of candidates to lead the Mets includes former managers Buck Showalter and Brad Ausmus, as well as current Astros bench coach Joe Espada, Rays bench coach, Matt Quatraro, and Pirates bench coach Don Kelly.
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According to Martino, it is still too early to name a favorite, but so far “Espada’s name is sounding loud.” The 46-year-old Puerto Rican has been Houston’s bench coach since the 2018 season, first under manager AJ Hinch and then under Dusty Baker.
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From the MLB Network correspondent’s point of view, Jon Heyman, Showalter, Espada and Ausmus are so far the favorites for the position, perhaps in that order.
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Ausmus was the only manager Mets general manager Billy Eppler hired during his tenure as GG of the Angels. As reported by the New York Post last month, the former major league catcher was fired without Eppler’s approval by club owner Arte Moreno after one season and replaced by Joe Maddon. According to the Post article, Eppler advised Moreno to hire Showalter, but the owner opted for Maddon. Moreno then fired Eppler after the 2020 season.
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