Davey Johnson should manage the Mets in 2014

The Mets need to bring Davey Johnson back into the organization. He’s a proven winner and skippered those great ‘80s teams, including the 1986 World Series champions of course. The knowledge and experience he offers as a teacher, talent evaluator, and manager is something the franchise needs as it moves forward.

I would even go so far as to say that they should consider him as a replacement for Terry Collins this offseason. Johnson led a young and inexperienced Nationals team to 98 victories last season. Although 70, he still wants to manage and what better place to finish his managing career than bringing it all back home to where his major league managing career began-Flushing.

Even if they don’t bring him in as manager-which would be a missed opportunity- they should find a place for him in the organization regardless. Installing him as manager for the next couple of seasons could also give the team a chance to see what they have in Wally Backman.

Bring Wally up as bench coach or put him at 1st base. Let both him and Tim Teufel learn from their old manager, Johnson could also evaluate which of the two would make a better field boss for 2016. Then again, he might revert back to their playing days and suggest platooning them as the best option. All joking aside, for the reasons listed above, this is a move the Mets should really consider making this offseason.

Anytime a future-Hall of Fame caliber manager becomes available, especially one so memorably tied to a franchise’s past, you should go out and grab him.