Mets hire former Phillies managerial candidate Buck Showalter

The New York Mets have hired former Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rangers and Orioles manager Buck Showalter, according to Mets owner Steve Cohen on Twitter. He’ll replace Luis Rojas as Mets manager.

If you can recall, Showalter was one of three candidates in consideration to become the next Phillies manager in 2019 alongside Dusty Baker and Joe Girardi. Showalter and Girardi were reportedly “considered the favorites” heading into the second round of interviews. Girardi was ultimately given the role and is in the final guaranteed year of his contract.

Showalter, 65, has a 1,551-1,517 regular season record in 20 seasons as a manager. His teams have made the postseason five times, including three times as manager of the Orioles. Showalter’s 2012 Orioles won the AL Wild Card Game, marking the first time his team advanced in the postseason. His first series win came in 2014 when the Orioles swept the Detroit Tigers in the AL Division Series. He won the AL Manager of the Year Award in 1994, 2004 and 2014.

Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro and Astros bench coach Joe Espada were finalists for the Mets job.

Most can agree that the 2022 Mets are going to be the most talented team Showalter has ever inherited. He was a heavy favorite to land the job and as expected, he’ll be managing a star-studded roster that includes Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, Francisco Lindor and Starling Marte.

The deal is for three years, according to Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic. Mike Puma of the New York Post added that the deal is the richest in Mets history for a manager, beating Art Howe’s $9.4 million guarantee.

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