The Mets first round of interviews have begun and will likely continue through next week with a dozen or so candidates.
According to Marly Rivera of ESPN, Houston Astros bench coach Alex Cora will be among candidates the New York Mets talk to in their first round of interviews. The Tigers are also going to interview Cora for their managerial opening.
The Astros won their ALDS series against the Red Sox and will now play the New York Yankees starting on Friday. The Mets would have to ask the Astros permission in-between rounds to talk to Cora.
Unfortunately for the Mets, the Boston Red Sox are expected to show serious interest in Cora after firing John Farrell according to multiple reports. Cora played for the Red Sox in parts of four seasons while reaching the playoffs three times.
Add the Phillies to the list of teams that want to interview Cora as well. Cora seems to be the ideal candidate for teams given his experience in big markets, being analytically savvy, well liked by players and bi-lingual.
Other candidates expected to be part of the initial interview process include Joe McEwing, Robin Ventura, Brad Ausmus, Chip Hale, Bob Geren, Kevin Long and Sandy Alomar Jr.
According to the New York Post, Farrell is not expected to be a candidate for the Mets job. Farrell was the first manager in Red Sox history to win back-to-back AL East titles and the first to win three AL East titles.
Aside from Cora, the Red Sox are also expected to show interest in Ausmus. Ausmus was hired to be the manager in Detroit by-then Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski, who is now the Red Sox President of Baseball Operations.
