Now The Yankees Basically Gave Away Buck Showalter To The Mets

The New York Mets have narrowed their managerial prospects to three finalists for 2022 and the short list includes former Yankee manager and YES analyst Buck Showalter. As of Saturday, Showalter is new Mets Manager. Now in my crazy head, I thought that the Yankees would swoop up Showalter to pair with Aaron Boone in the the clubhouse, enabling a duo like Joe Torre-Don Zimmer – a powerful winning combination that lead the Yankees to several championships. But in true fashion for the Yankees in this off season, they are too late to the table, giving yet another opportunity away to an opposing team.

“Showalter would bring a celebrity element to the position that the Mets haven’t seen since Bobby Valentine managed the team two decades ago. He also would break a string of first-timers hired by the Mets that includes Mickey Callaway, Carlos Beltran and Rojas, following Terry Collins’ departure after the 2017 season. Showalter, since leaving the Orioles following the 2018 season, has interviewed for managerial openings with the Phillies and Angels. He has kept himself visible as an analyst on MLB Network and YES,” reported the New York Post.

Sigh. Do something, please, Brian Cashman. Not only were the Yankees silent during the first round of free agency, they are letting great players and now a winning manager who could serve as an incredibly, experienced baseball expert in the ear of unpolished unseasoned Boone. If we are in fact stuck with Boone, at least pair him with the likes of Showalter, please. But no, as of Saturday afternoon, Showalter is headed across town.

“Player agents who continue to believe that once baseball business is reopened, Hal Steinbrenner’s team will be among the more aggressive teams — and in particular, might revisit conversations with the representatives of (Carlos) Correa and (Trevor) Story,” reported NJ.com. 

Movement on players is surely number 1. but one cannot underestimate the value of good coaching, and having a guy like Showalter interested in coming back to the dugout is just the kind of spark this team needs. Showalter certainly was not a shoe-in for the Mets job, although if you ask their newest most expensive acquisition Max Scherzer, he welcomes the likes of Showalter with open arms. So now that the Mets made their decision, the Yankees need to consider bringing in experience to parallel Boone’s lack of it. 

–Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof