It’s time for another Mets hiring carousel.

With Billy Eppler set to become the next general manager one of his first moves will be hiring a manager. Outside of pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, the Mets will be replacing every member of the Mets 2021 coaching staff. Hugh Quattlebaum was reassigned within the Mets organization, otherwise, everyone else was allowed to seek new opportunities. Based on career connections, a few names have been floated around as Eppler’s top choices.

Joel Sherman and Ken Davidoff of the New York Post list Buck Showalter, Brad Ausmus, Eric Chavez, Joe Espada, and Raul Ibanez as candidates.

SNY’s Andy Martino is also reporting Showalter, Ausmus, Espada, and Chavez. His list includes John Farrell.

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman has mentioned the Eppler-Ausmus connection and Showalter.

Showalter hasn’t managed since 2018 but would listen if the Mets called. If the Mets are looking for experience in the dugout there are few, if any, candidates with his resume. A three-time manager of the year, he’s been at the helm for 3,069 games.

Ausmus is the most obvious connection after working with the Angels under Eppler. He spent four years managing the Detroit Tigers, winning the American League Central in 2014.

Chavez worked with Eppler when he joined the Angels in 2016. He interviewed for the managerial opening in Los Angeles but lost to Ausmus. He is a former manager of the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate.

Espada is the only active coach listed so far. The bench coach of the Astros he’s been around to see one of the most successful teams in recent years. Espada interviewed for the managerial job with the Angels and spent two seasons in New York with Eppler.

Ibanez is a candidate a bit out of left field. He currently works in Major League Baseball’s front office as the senior vice president of on-field operations. He and Eppler overlapped and they could reach out like the Yankees did when letting go of Joe Giradi in 2017.

Farrell is currently a scout for the Cincinnati Reds, last managing in 2017 for the Red Sox. He won the World Series in 2013 in his first year managing them.