Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |
Every story about the Mets' managerial search must begin with the qualifier that Brodie Van Wagenen, along with his bosses and staff, have maintained a disciplined silence all month. The team hasn't announced or confirmed a single nugget since firing Mickey Callaway.
Because of that, all of us reporters are left to piece this together from sources outside the inner circle of decision making -- a circle that is, by the way, unusually tight: There are plenty of typically influential Mets officials who are plugged out of the manager search.
Having said all that, we have at least
According to sources -- but again, not confirmed by the Mets -- finalists have been meeting this week with Mets ownership, an indication that the process will wrap up before long.
Both Carlos Beltran and Eduardo Perez have backers in the Mets organization, and remain in the running. Perez is said to have made a strong connection with Van Wagenen, and Beltran has allies in Omar Minaya and Allard Baird.
Twins bench coach Derek Shelton has hung around this long because the Mets are impressed by him and taking a long look. Really, the only known finalist who would surprise us if named Mets manager is Luis Rojas, because of a general view in the organization that he is talented but not ready for that job.
But as we said earlier this week, the answer to this riddle is locked in Van Wagenen's brain, and he's not allowing anyone a peek inside. We did, however, hear from someone who obtained a brief glimpse that Bogar has become one to watch.