With a record of 40-50, Mickey Callaway‘s hopes of a second half miracle are dwindling by the day. New York now sits seven games behind a wild card spot with only the rebuilding Marlins behind them.

Given the Mets’ struggles, rumors are swirling about Joe Girardi potentially replacing Callaway. While the former Yankees’ manager is open to taking over a team midseason, it appears that the Mets will wait until the offseason before making a managerial change.

“I hope to come back at some point,’’ Girardi said. “I haven’t talked to anybody. It has to be a two-way street.’’ (Dan Martin NY Post)

Girardi doesn’t believe the Mets are struggling because they lack talent. He thinks the Mets have “really good pieces,” but have been burned by a bullpen that owns the third-worst ERA in the MLB.

“Everyone saw the arms they had and would have bet the bullpen would have been a lot better,’’ Girardi said. “For whatever reason, it hasn’t been.”

Andy Martino of SNY.TV reports that the Mets have “asked around about Joe Girardi.” But Martino writes that Girardi’s intensity makes the Mets “reluctant”.

“If you’re looking for someone who will manage a great game for three hours, Girardi will do that,” one executive told Martino. “If you’re looking for someone to win the press conference, that will never be Joe.”

Given Girardi’s history of winning in New York and his eagerness to return to managing, he looks like a top candidate. Girardi would also represent a change from the more inexperienced Callaway as Callaway took over in 2018 despite having no previous MLB managing experience. Callaway previously served as the Indians’ pitching coach from 2013-2017.

During Girardi’s ten years with the Yankees, he led them to a 910-710 record. His accomplishments include winning the 2009 World Series and capturing three division titles in the competitive AL East. In his last season with the Yankees, he took them to the ALCS where his team would lose in game seven to the eventual World Champion Houston Astros.

Despite the walls seemingly closing in on Callaway, he maintains hope that the Mets can turn their season around.

“I feel like we can make a run at this thing,” Callaway said. “We can sneak into that Wild Card, sneak back in this division. … Anything can happen in baseball.” (Anthony DiComo, MLB.com)

This comment comes on the heels of the Mets’ 8-3 loss to the Phillies on Sunday. Philadelphia jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. The Mets are 3-7 in their last ten games, and own a -46 run differential.