MLB Insider Provides Update on Buck Showalter's Job Security

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After winning Manager of the Year following an 101-win season and wild card berth in 2022 with the New York Mets, Buck Showalter's team endured a horrendous 2023 campaign.
For that, the Mets might have a new skipper in town next season. Especially since the organization hired David Stearns to come in as president of baseball operations, and he could want to bring in his own manager.
Showalter, who is 67-years-old, would be entering the final year of his contract in 2024. But it is no given that he returns as manager.
According to SNY's Andy Martino, it is "probably 50/50 at best" that Showalter comes back as manager next year.
"I'm hearing it's probably 50/50 at best for Buck Showalter to come back" - @martinonyc on Buck's future as Mets manager@ChelseaSherrod, Andy, and @JimDuquetteGM on Mets Off Day Live: https://t.co/e3UAzQKhEB pic.twitter.com/RrEZ55LXBS
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 25, 2023
Showalter was given a three-year contract in December of 2021, and did a great job in his first year as manager of the Mets. However, the wheels came off this season and now there could be a change.
It has already been reported that general manager Billy Eppler is likely to remain in place under Stearns. But as for Showalter, his job security is more unknown.
As Martino added, Showalter is a brilliant baseball mind and would be tough to replace. But Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell is set to become a free agent and he could reunite with Stearns in New York.
Counsell is one of the best managers in the game and if the Mets could land him it would make a serious impact in the dugout.
If they can't lure Counsell to Queens, the Mets might be better off holding onto Showalter for one more year, as it would be tough to find another manager with equal experience and respect.

Pat Ragazzo is the main publisher and reporter for the Mets On SI site. He has been covering the Mets since 2018. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has appeared on several major TV Networks including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is a recurring guest on ESPN New York 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM. Pat is also the Mets insider for Barstool Sports personality Frank "The Tank" Fleming’s podcast. You can follow him on Twitter/X and Instagram: @ragazzoreport.
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