The Mets have interviewed Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza for their managerial vacancy, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. SNY’s Andy Martino indicates that Mendoza is actually in the midst of a second-round interview today after interviewing for the first time last week and receiving a callback. Sherman also reports that the club has interviewed Cubs bench coach Andy Green, though it’s unclear if that’s a first or second interview.
Mendoza, 43, spent 13 seasons as a minor league player before joining the Yankees’ minor league coaching staff in 2009. He joined the big league coaching staff as an infield coach in 2017 before being promoted to bench coach following the 2019 season. Green, on the other hand, participated in parts of four big league seasons during his playing career, including the 2009 season as a member of the Mets. Since retiring, Green served briefly as third base coach of the Diamondbacks before being hired to manage the Padres prior to the 2016 season. Green managed in San Diego for four seasons before joining the Cubs’ coaching staff as bench coach prior to the 2020 campaign.
The pair have drawn interest from other clubs for managerial vacancies, as well. After drawing occasional managerial interest in recent years, Mendoza was among the likeliest candidates to take over for Gabe Kapler as manager of the Giants prior to the club securing permission to interview Bob Melvin. In addition, both coaches have been interviewed by the Guardians. If hired in Cleveland, either coach would step into the shoes of longtime manager Terry Francona following his recent retirement.
Should Mendoza depart the Bronx for another club this offseason, Martino notes that the Yankees could look to promote third base coach Luis Rojas, himself a former Mets manager, to the position. Though Rojas’s contract with the Yankees is up this offseason, Martino makes clear the the club has interest in retaining him, either as bench coach or in his current role as third base coach. It’s not yet clear what direction the Cubs could go in if they wind up needing to replace Green. Chicago already lost a key member of the club’s staff this offseason when Craig Breslow departed the Cubs’ front office to take the vacant GM role in Boston.
That the Mets are moving on to a second interview with Mendoza suggests that the club’s interest in his services next year is strong, though Sherman still refers to Brewers manager Craig Counsell as the “favorite” for the Mets job. Of course, Counsell has plenty of options beyond New York that could complicate the club’s pursuit of his services; Counsell has received interest from the Astros, the Brewers hope to retain him in Milwaukee on a new contract, and he’s already interviewed with the Guardians. Curiously, while MLB Network’s Jon Morosi has indicated that Counsell and the Mets have discussed the club’s managerial vacancy, Martino makes clear that Counsell has not had a formal interview with Mets brass to this point.
With the Mets apparently advancing to a second round of interviews for other candidates before sitting down with Counsell for a first interview it’s possible, speculatively speaking, that the club hopes to move through the interview process with other candidates so that they can act quickly upon Counsell’s decision regarding where he will manage in 2024. If that’s the case, it’s unclear what other candidates could be in the mix beyond Mendoza and Green, as details regarding the managerial search in New York have been few and far between this offseason. While Rangers associate manager Will Venable reportedly declined to interview for the position last month, Mendoza, Green, and Counsell are the only publicly known candidates for the position at this point.
I’m not sure I understand the Yankees dedication to Boone. Without trashing him, it’s not exactly as if he’s one of these widely respected, highly sought-after types. If he lost the job, I don’t think there would be a bidding war. And, if Mendoza is well thought of…..
It’s his first managing job and he’s been under contract yearly since. We don’t know what the market will bear until he’s free to interview/sign elsewhere. There has been also no indication that he wants manage elsewhere. Boone can’t prevent injuries nor reverse time for aging players which he was handed.
If Mendoza leaves, I’d try to Carlos Beltran to replace him.
Boone was hired to implement the front office’s wishes and follow the analytics team’s data and recommendations. They don’t blame him since they’d be blaming themselves.
“it’s his first managing job…which he was handed”…Let’s not forget that Aaron Boone was also “handed” a team that made it to gm 7 of the ALCS and hasn’t been anywhere close since.
For heavens sake Counsell make a decision. I don’t remember a mgr taking this long to decide on a team and dragging so many teams and fan bases along to get $1 more
Counsell knows he has Steve “I outbid everyone for free agents” Cohen with interest. The wait is more like with the intention of getting 5-6M per year vs 3-4M per year
His contract literally just ended yesterday. He hasn’t even been unemployed for 24 hours yet. Sheesh.
It’s been one day lmao
Hasn’t been that long, and there’s multiple teams interested.
He is not able to sign until the WS is over. Patience is a virtue.
you sound like you are either 15 or just started following baseball two years ago. the man has been eligible to talk to teams for less than a week and has to fly around the country to do interviews. he’s from Milwaukee he’s only coach there and he wants to hear what teams have to say. almost every manager takes this long if not much longer before making decisions as do the teams. furthermore no signings can be made until the World Series is over you probably didn’t know that either.
you sound like you are either 15 or just started following baseball two years ago. The man has been eligible to talk to teams for a couple of days and has to fly around the country to do interviews. he’s from Milwaukee he’s only coach there and he wants to hear what teams have to say. almost every manager takes this long if not much longer before making decisions as do the teams. furthermore no signings can be made until the World Series is over you probably didn’t know that either.
@Mad1: I would take my time to get a million more.
Counsell has been free of his contract just yesterday. Wisconsin sports media is saying he’s going to make up his mind by thanksgiving
One place Counsell is NOT going is the Angels.
If you need a manager that can possibly get you into the wildcard, Craig is your guy. If you want someone who can actually win you a wildcard series, you look elsewhere.
Eh. I disagree. I put some of that on the Brewers ownership in the past. This year, the DBacks were just the hothand. I still think Counsell did an excellent job.
@Slider, Brewers were a pretty good team, but they just were outmatched by nearly every other playoff team. They had an average lineup and weren’t going to go far without Woodruff.
Brewers were a Wild Card team that won a weak division. Hard to fault Counsell when a team with Wild Card talent ultimately performed to being just a Wild Card team.
The Mets are keeping their plans and discussions tight-lipped, for the first time in 60 years. And that is driving the reporters CRAZY.
I love it.
Probably won’t know where Counsell goes, or if he stays with Milwaukee, for another week or two. A few teams are interested now, and he’s going to take his time to choose.
Where’s Billy Martin?
If Mendoza is signed that’s a new low point on the Mendoza line.
so we fire a well established manager only to possibly bring in a first year one. Geez, who’s got their heads up their @$$3$? my goodness, seriously. maybe we should’ve seriously thought this through!
Relax. Both the Mets and Counsell are making their rounds to gain leverage in negotiations before their next meeting to finalize a contract.
Joe Maddon
Shot and a beer…