Reese Kaplan -- Bench Coach Suggestion

With “Cab” Callaway now in hand, the attention turns to whom the organization should contact to fill out the remainder of the staff.  As I’ve suggested already, it would behoove the Mets to consider a right hand man as bench coach who is bilingual in order to help connect with many of the players.  Towards that end, there’s one guy I’d certainly like to see them target but his resume might be a bit light for their liking – the Tampa Bay Rays’ 3^rd base coach, Charlie Montoyo.

For whatever reasons, the Mets did not reach out to Montoyo as a potential managerial candidate despite his stellar reputation.  He had previously interviewed for the Seattle Mariners managerial vacancy and was considered for the Rays post as well.  His minor league career as a manager is indeed impressive.  Leading the AAA Durham Bulls from 2007 to 2014 he posted only a single losing season while winning his division 7 times in 8 years.  He twice won the International League Manager of the Year Award.  He’s been inducted into the International League Hall of Fame and had his number retired by the Durham Bulls. 

Bulls GM Mike Birling said of Montoyo, “Charlie will always have a very special place in Durham Bulls history, What he accomplished on the field speaks for itself, but it was the relationships he formed off the field – with fans, the front office, players and coaches – that separates him from so many. We’re extremely happy to honor him by retiring his jersey.”

While he may not have major league managerial experience on his resume, having been at the helm successfully for 7 years with that kind of track record suggests he has enough in his background to help Callaway transition to his broader responsibilities.  As a 3^rd base coach, the upgrade to bench coach might be appealing and it would address the need for a bilingual member of the management team.