With players like Pete Alonso and Jacob deGrom, the Mets managerial job could be one of the most coveted openings. That has become all the more evident as people have begun to publicly throw their hats into the ring.

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Mets Hall of Famer John Franco has expressed interest in the position telling him, “I’d be happy to listen.”

This past offseason, Franco was named a baseball operations advisor to Brodie Van Wagenen. Previously, Franco had served as an ambassador for the team since 2010. While Franco has been a part of the organization for the past decade, his only official coaching position was his serving as Team Italy’s pitching coach in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.

During his career, Franco had been to the postseason twice. In his first ever postseason series, the New York Mets defeated the Buck Showalter led Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS. Twenty years later, it appears the two may be up against one another.

Showalter appeared on WFAN with Steve Somers, and during the interview Showalter indicated he too wants to be considered for the Mets managerial opening. While he demurred saying he was not going to publicly campaign for the position, he indicated he would be interested.

Beyond that, Showalter had discussed about how he has experienced working hand-in-hand with the front office in setting forth lineups and game strategies. While it may seem like this is a recent phenomena in baseball, Showalter would say this is something he used to do with Gene Michael back when he was the Yankees manager from 1992 – 1995.

In fact, Showalter indicated he was a proponent of such a collaboration saying, “The best organizations are the ones that are able to bridge all the departments and they’re pulling on the same rope and having respect for what boots on the ground people bring.”

Showalter has managed the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rangers, and Orioles. In his 20 years as a manager, he has a 1551-1517 record. Showalter’s teams have won the division three times, including the strike shortened 1994 season, and his teams have made the postseason five times. To date, Showalter’s teams have won just one postseason series, and his teams have yet to win a game in the League Championship Series.