The Mets will introduce Terry Collins as the team’s new manager tomorrow, at a press conference in Citi Field at 11:00 AM.

According to Jon Heyman via Twitter, Terry Collins is getting a two-year deal from the Mets. That sounds about right. 

Original Post 5:00 PM

Despites rumors that first Bob Melvin would be named manager then Wally Backman, the New York Mets are expected to announce that Terry Collins will be named the new manager.

Adam Rubin broke the news,

The New York Mets have selected the 61-year-old Collins as the 20th manager in franchise history, according to a team source.

Collins served as the organization’s minor league field coordinator this past season. He previously managed the Houston Astros from 1994 to 1996 and the Anaheim Angels from 1997 to 1999, compiling a 444-434 record.

He emerged from a field of 10 managerial candidates, including fellow finalists Wally Backman, Chip Hale and Bob Melvin.

Collins most recently managed the Orix Buffaloes in Japan in 2007 and 2008, then China’s entry in the World Baseball Classic last year.

Bob Klapisch said that Backman was told “lack of experience” worked against him. Is being asked to remain in the organization.

It looks like Jon Heyman had it pegged all along.  He said that Collins was their choice because of his experience, and the certainty that he understood the new philosophy.

Wally Backman’s inexperience did play against him according to what is filtering in, and Chip Hale was never really a strong consideration according to some other reports.

Mets sources said that Backman and Hale were eliminated almost immediately after their second interviews, and that Alderson and management spent the weekend deliberating between Collins and Melvin.

UPDATE: Apparently Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog has concerns about the decision to go with Terry Collins.

“He worries me.  It sounds to me like he has the best chance to be Willie Randolph: Part II.  Like Willie, despite being good at teaching and creating discipline in the clubhouse, also like Randolph I hear he’s defensive, he talks a lot, he’s a bit paranoid when dealing with reporters who question him, and he is not likely to translate well with the fan base, assuming the team is struggling.  Also, his constant talk about winning, despite never finishing better than second place, reminds me of Randolph’s obnoxious and delusional talk of champagne at the end of 2007.”

I think Matt needs to understand that Collins hasn’t managed in over a decade, and he could have change a great deal. People do that you know…

I was gunning for Backman or Melvin, but I’m going to embrace the decision and hope all Mets fans do the same.

Congratulations to Terry Collins!