The Mets received some clarity and, perhaps, assistance on Tuesday regarding the assembling of their coaching staff.
San Diego announced they hired former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt as their new skipper. Shildt, 55, who was 252–199 while managing St. Louis from 2018 – 2021, replaces Bob Melvin, who left San Diego for division rival San Francisco.
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How does this affect the Mets?
The two finalists for the San Diego opening reportedly were Shilt and former Angels manager Phil Nevin, who is drawing interest from the Mets for their available bench coach position.
Nevin, who posted a 119-149 record with the Angels after being named their manager on June 7, 2022, and new Mets manager Carlos Mendoza served together on the Yankees coaching staff from 2018 to 2021.
Mendoza, who despite having previously managed in the minor leagues and internationally, has never managed in the major leagues. A former a major league manager or bench coach may help facilitate his acclimation into the new role. Nevin checks that box.
Time will tell if Nevin joins his former colleague Mendoza, but, either way, an interesting option is still available for the Mets, courtesy of San Diego.
For the Padres, adding Shildt now puts the lid on a months-long search that was temporarily paused when the team’s owner passed away. AJ Preller, the team’s president of baseball operations, will have to slash costs while also keeping the team competitive in 2024.
