Over the weekend, John Heyman of Newsday analyzed the status of the Mets� managerial quest:
Whether it be Omar Minaya’s early influence or merely the odds of finally getting one right, the Mets appear to be on the verge of getting one right.
Minaya interviewed highly respected Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo on Friday and will interview beloved Yankee Willie Randolph when he returns from Boston. In between those two, Newsday has learned that Minaya will squeeze in a meeting with Bobby Valentine, the one encore candidate we’d enthusiastically endorse for his New York track record�
Valentine’s candidacy is an intriguing plot twist, though one person with ties to the Mets said he believes it’s still largely a “two-horse” race between Jaramillo and Randolph, with Valentine and former Angels and Astros manager Terry Collins under consideration but less likely.
I confess to knowing nothing about Jaramillo, have always admired Randolph and would actually be receptive to a comeback by Valentine. I don�t have strong feelings about Collins.
Anyway, if you�re looking for more Mets analysis, Jason Mastaitis has a two-part prescription here and here. His recommendations include a farewell to John Franco, Al Leiter, Cliff Floyd and Richard Hidalgo, signing Carlos Beltran and starting Victor Diaz in left field next season, among other things. Also, check out this picture for a trip down memory lane.