Steve Cohen. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
It was announced Sunday afternoon that manager Buck Showalter would not be returning after the 2023 season. Owner Steve Cohen has already started to share his thoughts on the news before Monday’s noon-scheduled press conference that will reportedly address both the changing in manager as well as announce the hiring of David Stearns as president of baseball operations.
Cohen’s first statement on the change happened around when the news broke. He explained, “We let Buck know we’ll be parting ways. We will begin the search for a new manager immediately.”
After the Mets’ 9-1 loss to Philadelphia in the team’s final game of the season, Cohen took the podium at Citi Field and spoke briefly about the move further.
Cohen said it became clear that once Stearns was hired as president of baseball operations, Showalter would be let go. He added that this was one of the topics discussed when Cohen and the Mets were interviewing Stearns before he was offered the job.
Cohen furthered his thoughts on the above point saying, “When you bring in a president of baseball ops, they’re entitled to bring in their own people. It was clear he wanted to go in a different direction. That was his right, and I gave him that right.”
Who that individual may be is yet to be determined. One individual that does come to mind is current Milwaukee Brewers’ manager Craig Counsell, who managed under Stearns while each were in Milwaukee. Counsell is without a contract come the conclusion of this season. You can read more about that connection here.
Cohen reiterated that the decision on the next manager and the candidates will rightfully be up to Stearns.
Those thoughts aside, Cohen also explained further that, “This is not a reflection on Buck. Buck did everything we wanted him to do. Obviously this season was a disappointment, but it’s not Buck’s fault. It spread across the organization.”
As mentioned above, tomorrow at noon ET the Mets will be introducing David Stearns as president of baseball operations and also further address the change in manager.
