New York Mets: 3 potential Buck Showalter replacements as manager

Aug 17, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Mets manager Buck Showalter (11) in the dugout before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Mets manager Buck Showalter (11) in the dugout before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 18: Manager Joe Girardi #28 of the New York Yankees watches batting practice before game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on October 18, 2017 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Yankees won 5-0. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***Joe Girardi
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 18: Manager Joe Girardi #28 of the New York Yankees watches batting practice before game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on October 18, 2017 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Yankees won 5-0. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***Joe Girardi

Mets potential manager candidate: Joe Girardi

If there is someone who can handle the pressure of the big city, it’s Joe Girardi. He spent 10 years as a manager across the city for the New York Yankees. He lead them to their last World Series championship in 2009 against the Phillies and they went 103-59 in the regular season.

He took the Bombers to the playoffs in six of his 10 seasons there, going 28-24 in the postseason. He has 15 years of experience as a manager after stops with the Florida Marlins in 2006 and three seasons with Philadelphia, where he last managed and was fired in 2022.

A former catcher, Girardi is someone who can handle the market of New York and he has experience managing teams with high expectations and big payrolls. The Mets have the league’s highest payroll at nearly $380 million, with a $110 million luxury-tax payment. That’s a lot of money for an underachieving team.

It’s not easy managing in New York, just ask Showalter, who also managed the Yankees earlier in his career. This Mets team is built for the regular season and postseason, but they have not been able to put together a consistent streak. Girardi is someone who could come in and command respect in the locker room.