Category Archives: 2019 Mets

Jim Riggleman Hired as Mets Bench Coach Under Mickey Callaway

27 Nov

Jim Riggleman

Yahoo.com:

Jim Riggleman, a 66-year-old veteran of 13 seasons as a major league manager, has been hired by the New York Mets as bench coach for Mickey Callaway.

Riggleman was Cincinnati’s bench coach from 2016 until he became interim manager for 5+ months last season, and he led the Reds to a 64-80 record after the team’s 3-15 start under Bryan Price. David Bell was hired by the Reds on Oct. 21.

Riggleman, a native of Fort Dix, New Jersey, also managed the Chicago Cubs (1995-99), Seattle (2008) and Washington (2009-11). He has a 726-904 (.445) record as a big league manager.

He replaces Gary DiSarcina, who is shifting to third base coach in a move announced earlier this month. Glen Sherlock moves from third to first and Ruben Amaro Jr. shifts from first to front officer adviser.

Mickey Callaway Has ‘Support’ of Brodie Van Wagenen

1 Nov

Mickey Callaway
NYPost.com:

The Mets’ new general manager is intent on keeping the old manager.

Mickey Callaway will meet with new GM Brodie Van Wagenen this week, at which time he will be told he’s still the Mets’ field boss.

“I fully support him,” Van Wagenen said Tuesday at his introductory press conference at Citi Field. “One of the themes I have discussed so far today and will be a calling card of this new regime is a culture of positivity. [Callaway] has enthusiasm, he has energy and I want to embrace that to inspire players.”

Callaway arrived last October on a three-year contract and guided the Mets to a 77-85 record in his rookie season. On the final day of the regular season, the former Indians pitching coach received a vote of confidence from team COO Jeff Wilpon, who said he hoped the new GM would retain Callaway.

Hey, injuries cost us more than anything last season. And while Callaway does have some in-game management issues to work on (maybe a new bench coach could help?), he did well enough in 2018 to deserve another year.

Could The Mets Reunite With Jeurys Familia?

19 Oct

Jeurys Familia
The bullpen, I think, is where the Mets will need the most help this off-season. And they definitely need a closer. So why not reunite with an old, reliable face? There will only be so many top-notch closers that will be available on the open market and I doubt that the new GM will want to kick in what Britton or Kimbrel might cost. Of course, there’s always the possibility that Familia could demand a price that’s too high. But he’s still young, did well with the A’s and has a proven track record with us.

Where Would Daniel Murphy Play If He Returned To Mets?

7 Sep

Daniel Murphy

MetsBlog.com:

Second baseman Daniel Murphy has tormented the Mets since leaving them to sign a three-year, $37.5 million contract with the Nationals after the 2015 season. 

Murphy will again be a free agent this winter at a time when the Mets are expected — yet again — to be in search of everyday second baseman. The Mets would be smart to consider bringing Murphy back 1) to fill multiple spots on their roster, but also 2) to get him out of the opposing batter’s box.

The Nationals traded Murphy last month to the Cubs, with whom he had just two hits in nine plate appearances against the Mets last week at Wrigley Field. However, prior to his recent two-game set against the Mets, he had been hitting .392 with 25 extra base hits and 43 RBI during just 44 games played against them for the Nationals.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only player to drive in more runs than Murphy during his first season against his former team was Roger Maris in 1960.

Who wouldn’t want Murph back, if not for the simple fact that he’s literally killed us since he left? But with Jeff McNeil establishing himself as our future 2nd baseman, where would we play Murphy? Put him at 1st and he stands in the way of an already frustrated Peter Alonso. Todd Frazier has another year left on his contract, so unless you’re trading him, it doesn’t look like Murph at the hot corner would be in the mix either. Of course, with Murph being a free agent this offseason and being defensively liable, there’s always the chance that an AL team (hello, Yankees) could sign him and for the most part, get him off our back. But for now, I highly doubt that we’ll ever see Murph in a Mets uniform again.