While Terry Collins is likely out when the season ends, the interview process for a new manager may last until November.
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the job is “wide open,” but Robin Ventura and Kevin Long are among the early favorites.
Ventura, 50, most recently managed the Chicago White Sox from 2012-16 after playing in the majors for 16 years from 1989-2004. He played with the Mets from 1999-2001.
Long, the current Mets hitting coach, is interested in managing and may not return in his current role if he isn’t promoted. The 50-year-old played minor league ball in the Kansas City Royals organization from 1989-96 before transitioning to a coach.
He has managed in the low minors, but has been a big league hitting coach since 2007 with the cross-town rival Yankees.
Another name to throw into the mix is Tampa Bay Rays third base coach Charlie Montoyo, according to Adam Rubin. Montoyo has been with the Rays organization since its inception and has coach or managed throughout the team’s system for over two decades. He has been a coach at the major league level since 2015.
An extensive report on other names the Mets could consider when Collins is officially dismissed can be found here.
