The Mets are currently searching for their next manager after mutually parting ways with Carlos Beltran, and ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez is a top candidate to replace him.
Here is the latest news on Perez...
Jan. 20, 3:23 PM:
According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Perez will be interviewing for the Astros' managerial vacancy on Tuesday.
It was only an hour or so ago that SNY's Andy Martino had sources tell him Perez was garnering interest from Houston. Perez is a very qualified candidate, and if the interview does go well, the Mets could be without one of their top candidates for their own vacancy.
The Astros are moving quickly to fill their void, with Buck Showalter, Dusty Baker and John Gibbons all interviewed as well. MLB Network's Jon Heyman said those candidates, though, are not coveted by the Mets.
Jan. 20, 1:42 PM:
SNY's Andy Martino has sources telling him that Perez is garnering some interest from the Astros for their manager role.
Perez isn't the only Mets candidate the Astros could want. Dusty Baker also said last week that the Mets haven't reached out, and he was focused on Houston's vacancy.
With Hensley Meulens also seeing some interest from the Red Sox, the Mets might be out of a candidate or two quickly as their search intensifies along with the other clubs looking to fill their roles before Spring Training.
Jan. 17, 1:06 PM:
During an appearance on ESPN, Perez said that the Mets hadn't contacted him about the managerial role.
"I have not heard from the New York Mets," Perez said. "I think they're gonna do their due diligence and move forward from this. And I can tell you this: from the interview process that I did go through in October through November, they did their due diligence. This just popped up and it looks like it did not work their way. But at least with me, they did do their due diligence."
Perez was a finalist for the job in the initial search, so though he hasn't heard from the team yet, the Mets could be calling again. He has quality credentials, including managing in Puerto Rico and the Colombian national team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He also served in coaching roles with the Marlins and Astros.
Jan. 17, 10:56 AM:
Bet Online released their odds for the next Mets manager and Perez came out on top.
Perez had the best odds at +300, with Mets bench coach Hensley Meulens (+350), Luis Rojas (+400), and Tim Bogar (+400) coming in after him. Here are the rest of the odds:
- Terry Collins: +700
- Tony DeFrancesco: +700
- Bruce Bochy: +900
- Buck Showalter: +900
- Dusty Baker: +900
- John Gibbons: +1000
- Kevin Long: +1200