Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Joe Girardi was one of six known finalists for the Mets manager job, but he will not be managing them next year. Girardi has been hired by the Phillies -- the team SNY's Andy Martino had reported was a far more likely landing spot than the Mets.

With Girardi heading to Philadelphia, the Mets' known candidates are down to Tim Bogar, Carlos Beltran, Luis Rojas, Derek Shelton, and Eduardo Perez.

Of the initial group of six known second-round candidates, Girardi -- who was the preferred choice of a large and vocal group of Mets fans on Twitter -- had the best credentials.

Having served as manager of the Marlins in 2006 and Yankees from 2008 to 2017 (winning a World Series in 2009), Girardi would've given the Mets a proven manager who has done the job in New York. But the Mets will be going in a different direction.

Of the five known candidates remaining, Bogar has by far the best credentials. And while you can argue that the Mets should've hired Girardi, you can also argue that they have put together a strong list of other candidates to choose from. Here's a breakdown...

Tim Bogar

The 53-year-old was named Manager of the Year three times in the minors, during a minor league managing career that began in 2004.

He was named South Atlantic League Manager of the Year in 2004 after guiding the Astros' Rookie level affiliate to a 41-26 record, and won the award again in 2005 after guiding the Astros' Low-A affiliate to an 82-57 record.

Bogar's third Manager of the Year award in the minors came in 2006, when he was named Eastern League Manager of the Year after guiding the Indians' Double-A affiliate to an 87-55 record.

After his success managing in the minors, Bogar became a coach for the Rays (2008) before working as a coach for the Red Sox (2009-2012), Rangers (2014), Mariners (2016-2017), and Nationals (2018-present).

Bogar has a bit of big league managerial experience, having taken over the Rangers in 2014 after the dismissal of Ron Washington and guiding them to a 14-8 record.

If the Mets want experience, Bogar is their guy. On the other hand, there is....

Carlos Beltran

Beltran, who interviewed for the Yankees' managerial opening in 2017 before it went to Aaron Boone, has zero experience at any level as a coach or manager.

While Mickey Callaway's failure as a first-time manager shouldn't preclude the Mets from immediately trying a first-timer again, it shouldn't necessarily mean they should jump right back in, either.

Beltran is highly respected and turned down the opportunity earlier this offseason to interview with the Padres and Cubs for their managerial openings. Whether Beltran turned those interviews down because of a desire to stay in New York, a desire to manage the Mets, or some other desire isn't known.

At one point or another, every great manager had zero experience. But it's fair to wonder if now is the time for the Mets to try another one out.

Luis Rojas

The 38-year-old Rojas served as the Mets' quality control coach in 2019, which should be a feather in his cap when it comes to his candidacy for manager.

Like most teams, the Mets value collaboration between the field manager and front office. And while working as the team's quality control coach, Rojas seved as that bridge this past season.

Rojas also has a ton of minor league managerial experience, having managed at five different levels for the Mets in the minors.

Derek Shelton

Currently serving as the bench coach for the Twins, Shelton's managing experience came in the minors. And it came a long time ago (2000 to 2002 in the Yankees' farm system, where he had a .624 winning percentage).

Like Rojas, Shelton has experience as a quality control coach (2017 with the Blue Jays).

In addition to coaching in the big leagues with the Blue Jays and Twins, the 49-year-old Shelton has also coached for the Rays (2010-2016) and Indians (2005-2009).

Eduardo Perez

The Mets picking Perez would be similar to when the Yankees picked Boone straight from the ESPN booth.

Perez has coaching and managing experience (unlike Boone in 2017), but it's very limited.

The 50-year-old managed in Puerto Rico in 2008 (where he was named Manager of the Year) and managed for Colombia in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

He has also coached in the majors, with the Marlins (2011 to 2012) and Astros (2013).

Perez has not worked in baseball since 2013, and has never worked or played for a team in New York.

Popular in the Community