Mike Freire - It Has To Be Joe, Right?

I figured that I would wade into the "managerial speculation" waters and offer my thoughts on the ongoing Mets' search for their 2020 skipper.  Yes, I previously posted an article about Joe Maddon and how he would be an excellent choice to lead the team to greater heights.  

For the record, I still feel that he would be a smart decision by the front office, but I don't think Maddon is available due to the Angels also needing a new manager.   That should be his first choice due to the amount of time he spent in that organization in the past, so I wish him luck and I am turning my attention to a different candidate.

Ironically, my second choice is also named Joe and the more I look into this situation, the more convinced I am that he is a "slam dunk" option (unless one of the other teams in the managerial sweepstakes wises up and steals him before the Mets get the chance to conduct an interview, like his hometown Cubs, for example).

Of course, I am talking about Joe Girardi.

Joe was born on October 14, 1964 in Peoria, Illinois so our first task is to wish him a slightly belated 55th birthday (this article will post on the 15th).

Joe was a well respected catcher in MLB from 1989 through the 2003 season, spending time with the Cubs, the Rockies, the Yankees, the Cubs (again) and finally the Cardinals.  Statistically, he averaged just under 300 at bats per year and produced a pedestrian 5.7 WAR (0.38 annually), along with an equally mediocre 0.667 OPS.  

Additionally, he had 36 HR's and 44 SB's for his entire career, or what Christian Yelich produces in a single season. No, Joe was not Mike Piazza with the bat, but he was a very good defensive catcher with excellent baseball acumen.  He was one of those guys that baseball announcers would tab as "a future manager" and the teams that he played for were largely successful to include three "rings" with the Yankees.

But, we aren't looking for a catcher on the field (although Joe could probably function as a solid back up catcher when compared to what we trotted out there last year), we are looking for a manager for the bench.  It's a good thing that he brings almost as much managerial experience to the table then, isn't it?

Joe served as a coach for the 2005 Yankees after he retired from the game before he was named manager of the 2006 Florida Marlins.  That talent starved team finished just under .500, but Joe did an admirable job and was named NL Manager of the Year for his efforts.  The Marlins proceeded to do "Marlins' things" and fired him after one year.  After taking the 2007 season off, Joe was hired by a much smarter organization and proceeded to manage the Yankees for the next ten seasons.

During that time, Joe's teams routinely competed for the playoffs to include a World Series title in 2009.  Overall, his managerial record is 988-794, which works out to a winning percentage of 55.4% or an average seasonal record of 90-72.  

As with most things, change is inevitable and it caught up to Joe and his Yankees' tenure.  After losing to the (eventual champion) Astros in the 2017 ALCS, Joe's contract was not renewed and he has spent the last couple of seasons out of baseball, in the broadcast booth (which can be helpful for a past and future manager).

For as many good things that Joe has going for him, there are whispers of some things that led to his eventual exit from the Yankees clubhouse.  

Is Joe a bit too much of a disciplinarian?  Does he have issues relating to younger players?  Does he think he is "the smartest guy in the room"?  Does he have a shelf life as a manger, meaning he eventually burns out the players and himself due to his work rate and expectations?

These, along with the fact that he is a former Yankee, have been rumored in various articles over the past a few weeks as possible reasons for the Mets to steer clear.  Personally, they mostly sound like justifications that were offered when the Yankees decided to move in a different direction, but I wasn't a part of the team, either.  Other then the "Yankees" thing for Mets' fans, do the other criticisms sound like a bad thing for a potential leader of your young ball club?   Hell, if Joe is a bit hard on his players, then hire a younger bench coach who can serve as a "buffer" between Joe and the players (Carlos Beltran, anyone?).  I would take the occasional "hurt feelings" in exchange for a winning ball club, right?

I mentioned this in another thread on this site a few days ago, but if you told me that the Mets (with Girardi as manager) would average 90 wins per year, along with a World Series Championship over the next decade, I would GLADLY sign up for that right now.  

The Mets have had a few bursts of greatness over their history, but they have never had sustained success like that (maybe the Davy Johnson era came the closest).

I don't see any other candidates that bring to the table what Joe offers as a potential Mets' manager.  

The team is on the verge of being a contender and they need an experienced manager that will push them to be great, while being adept at handling the New York media.  Plus, successful managers typically learn from their past, so I am sure that an older and wiser Joe Girardi would not likely repeat all of his mistakes from his last opportunity.

Put the charade to bed, Brodie!  It's time to make the sensible (only?) choice and hire Joe Girardi before someone else does.