There’s about a dozen different lists out there of managers that might be considered by new GM Sandy Alderson. This one is by Joel Sherman of the NY Post who lists Backman as a longshot. Compared to some of lists I read today, this one is more extensive and pretty much surveys the entire field rather than just 3-4 names. I believe there’s a very good chance that our next manager could come from this group.

Contenders

Clint Hurdle

The Rangers’ hitting coach had managed the Rockies for seven seasons, reaching the World Series in 2007. He was fired in 2009. Hurdle played for the Mets and managed in their farm system. Known for his enthusiasm.

John Gibbons

Former Toronto manager was hired by J.P. Ricciardi, who worked for Alderson in Oakland. He was a first-round pick of the Mets in 1980 (the same draft the Mets took another Alderson protégé, Billy Beane). Interviewed this offseason with Pittsburgh and Seattle for their managerial spots.

DeMarlo Hale

Boston’s energetic bench coach under Terry Francona. Hale was a finalist for the Blue Jays’ managing job before John Farrell was named.

Bob Melvin

Hired last year by the Mets as a scout. Melvin reached the NLCS with Arizona in 2007 after also managing the Mariners. He has been involved in Milwaukee’s managerial search.

Terry Collins

The former Astros and Angels skipper, Collins was brought in as the Mets’ minor league field coordinator last year. He finished in second in each of his five full seasons as a manager.

Don Wakamatsu

Former Seattle manager was fired in August in the middle of a disappointing season. Was the bench coach in Oakland in 2008 for Beane’s A’s. Is known as bright and hard working.

Chip Hale

The Mets’ third-base coach last season. Well thought of in the organization and managed in Arizona’s farm system.

Longshots

Joe Torre

The former Mets and Yankees manager expressed interest in the Mets job before it was vacant, but then said he wasn’t interested. While few are better equipped to deal with New York, his high price tag is probably too big an obstacle.

Wally Backman

A fan and Wilpon favorite. Spent last year managing the Brooklyn Cyclones. Alderson does not like drama in a manager, and the fiery Backman is all about drama. Could the compromise be a spot on the coaching staff?

Bobby Valentine

The former Mets manager is an unlikely fit with Alderson, who does not like drama out of the dugout. He is still in the running for the Brewers’ managing job after being considered in Florida and Seattle.

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, had a couple of more names that I would throw into the longshot category in Lee Mazzilli and Ken Oberkfell.

Alderson will most likely be officially announced tomorrow in a press conference. The NY Times said that he’ll be calling other teams requesting permission to interview potential candidates for manager immediately after it’s official.

Several sources are also reporting that at the Wilpon’s request, Alderson will assuredly interview both Chip Hale and Wally Backman, but that the final decision on the new Mets manager will be all Alderson’s.