Let's see- since the end of the (most) disappointing 2017 season, the Mets have released most of their coaching staff, fired their entire Training Staff (except independent trainer, Mike Barwiss), moved manager Terry Collins into the front office into a nebulous GM Assistant position, purchased a new AAA Minor League team in Syracuse, NY (Chiefs), and have hired new managers at both the big league level and AAA levels from outside the organization (Cleveland and Houston, respectfully). Not only that, they chose 2 managers who come from very successful programs and were highly coveted by other organizations (I'd heard that the Phils were VERY interested in Callaway.)
If nothing else, Sandy Alderson has put everyone on blast, from fans to journalists, that he's not going to stand for another mediocre season, doing at least everything he can (short of placing his players inside plastic bubbles) to help bring a better outcome to the team for the 2018 season.
I had Callaway at number 4 on my manager wish-list, behind Kapler, Cora and Ausmus; I am hoping now that Sandy will bring a top bilingual bench coach to the mix, someone like Sandy Alomar Jr, which should help unite a divided clubhouse and give Callaway a trusted lieutenant who also understands the game as well as anyone available! It's hard to say whether Kevin Long would want to come back to the team, knowing that he wasn't' appointed manager, and I have found that situation to be very awkward in over 30 years of hiring, training and promoting people. I believe that Callaway would have to really welcome Long back to the fold, much the way Francona welcomed Callaway to the Indians 5 years ago, with open arms and ears. Long knows the players and remains an excellent hitting tutor, although the employment market happens to include another person who matches those criteria, one Chili Davis, who would make a great replacement should Long or the team choose to go in another direction. I am already hearing that Long is interviewing with the Nationals, and am hoping they don't steal him away.
It's gratifying to see Sandy seeking solutions to the problems that the team's pitching staff faced last season in the form of Callaway; here's hoping he gets a chance in the Spring to get familiar with a number of the team's top minor league arms and helps draft programs to help them reach their peak performance too. THAT would really be a welcome site in both Queens and Florida for a change!!
Personally, after having a great guy/poor strategist like Terry Collins at the helm for the past 7 seasons, it's refreshing to see someone who is going to challenge convention and embrace analytics while addressing the biggest problem the team has had- THE PITCHING STAFF!!! If we hold Callaway to his word, and we have NO reason not to, we'll see a pitching staff that receives the personal attention and care that it deserves; to the fan, that would translate into not seeing a reliever worked until his arm falls off; watching guys like Robles and Smoker actually reach their potential; and helping at least a few of Harvey, Wheeler, Lugo, Gsellman, Matz and Montero progress to the point where they are either once again, or for a first time, a consistent and important part of the rotation and/or bullpen!! I'm excited by Callaway's enthusiasm, and the fact that he sat next to my favorite manager in baseball, Tito Francona, every day for the past 5 years only adds to that excitement. It's a great first step to bringing the team back to respectability, and to a renewed play-off push!
Next Step- THE WINTER MEETINGS!!!! Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water...
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