Report: Mets To Replace GM Minaya, Manager Manuel

The Mets sub-mediocre season has been done for weeks, but new reports suggest that GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel might be out of jobs with the organization permanently. The official announcement isn't due until after the season ends next week, but Sports Illustrated is reporting that Minaya and Manuel will not be heads of the club next year.

Minaya took over as GM in 2005 from Jim Duquette, and led the team through four winning seasons, but the Mets have had two consecutive losing ones counting this year. Minaya has the option to leave the organization once his contract is up, but there are some reports that he may stay on a different role, perhaps in scouting. As for who might replace him at GM, the Mets are looking outside the organization; names that have been bandied about include former Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes, White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn, former A's GM Sandy Alderson and Rangers GM Jon Daniels, who comes from Bayside, Queens.

As for potential managers to replace Manuel, two names that are prominently mentioned are former manager Bobby Valentine, and ex-Met Wally Backman, the manager for the Cyclones, the club's Single-A Brooklyn affiliate, who has developed a reputation as an incredibly amusing hot-head, like in the clip below.

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By Ben Yakas in News on October 1, 2010 4:40 PM

Comments [rss]

Phil

I don't think Manuel was the problem as much as Minaya and the Wilpons are the problem. Yeah he made some bonehead moves but look at his players, look at the injuries. The manager doesn't play the game. But you gotta start with clean slate. Is Art Howe available?

Kelles

Dare I mention it...but, is there even a slight possibility they would consider Joe Torre for the manager job?

longacre

They would, and it would be a disaster. Thankfully they're probably too cheap to do it, wouldn't be surprised if they pay Backman under $1 million.

Son of Spam

I am 100% certain that the Mets would consider Torre. Unfortunately, There is 100% chance Torre would NOT consider the Mets:

"I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else," Torre told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Tony Jackson on Tuesday. "The only thing I'm trying to do is that I don't want to mislead anybody. My intention is that when I finish here [Los Angeles] as a manager a week from Sunday, I am anticipating that will be my last game as a manager.

"I don't want to say I'm definitely not going to do this again, but that's only other [teams] aside from the Mets. ... I spent 12 years forging a relationship with those fans in New York. I don't want to all of a sudden go across the river and have them get mad at me."
Can you blame him?

whitecastlerock

Why wait until the end of the season? The season ended after the All Star break. Fire these idiots tonight. Clean house. Get rid of Reyes, Wright, Beltran, the whole goddamn team. They haven't won shit with them, why keep them? Lower the ticket prices as well. This team is an embarrassment.

Son of Spam

I think this is an unnecessary knee-jerk reaction to a couple of losing seasons. With the injuries and bad luck that have happened over the past few seasons, no way should all the fault be put on Minaya and Manuel, two knowledgable baseball men who would have undoubtedly thrived if given the right situation.

This is scapegoating at its finest. Both men should be given another chance, or even have their contracts extended for another 3 or 4 years. I truly believe that the hard working, dedicated, core players of this team, like Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, and Ollie Perez, can challenge for the pennant under the tutelage of Minaya and Manuel.

Signed,

A Phillies Fan

Love,

a Phillies fan.

longacre

I think Manuel should get another chance, but Minaya is a joke.

The deal he gave Oliver Perez is arguably the worst free agent signing in baseball history.

whitecastlerock

Manuel couldn't manage the bullpen to save his job. He is a terrible manager. He should have been fired last year...

r1b2

Dearest Bobby V

We so dearly want you back

Our hopes kept alive

r1b2

+1

ides_of_march

Some where out there, a man named Willie Randolph laughs.

Mr Mel

The franchise may have a chance with new a new GM and field management. To bad we can't replace the Wilpons, their poor judgement caused the autumnal free falls.

bxbrian

this is likely the best news story i've read all week. not that there was much of a contest...

EricGewiz

How did gothamist scoop everyone on this? Oh wait, this speculation has been going on since July anyway....

ANGRYGOD11

Minaya's worst feature was his inability to make changes. Trade deadlines meant nothing to him as his constructed team was too perfect to build-up or rebuild for the future. That mindset makes no sense when your wealthy team is in fourth place.