The Latest On Wally Backman

While speaking with reporters earlier this afternoon, Sandy Alderson briefly discussed Wally Backman‘s future.

September 26, 2011; Flushing, NY, USA; New York Mets second baseman Ruben Tejada (11) talks with first base coach Wally Backman (86) after hitting a single during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Alderson noted that he “expects” that Backman will be invited back for another season as manager for AAA Las Vegas.  Alderson also said that Backman “would be a consideration” for a role on the big league coaching staff if a vacancy were to open.  According to Jorge Castillo, Alderson also noted the following while discussing Backman:

"He did an excellent job with what he had.  I think he had a good team, but he managed it well and there are a lot of players on this team currently that were in Las Vegas for a good part, or some part, of the season and I think they all benefited."

In a chat last week, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York surmised that there may not be any vacancies on the big league staff, but Andy Martino of the Daily News wrote today that none of the coaches have been informed of their status for 2014 and beyond.

Thoughts:

After rampant speculation that he would leave the organization if he wasn’t offered the big league managerial job or a spot on the coaching staff in 2014, Backman stated a week ago (after Pedro Lopez was added to the big league staff) that he was content with how things were going.

As far as his future and how the organization views him, there’s no reason for Backman to not be asked back to manage AAA Las Vegas.  He did a very good job holding together a team that had its roster pilfered, and guided it to the postseason.

However, I’d expect Backman to jump at any major league coaching or managerial opportunity with another club if the opportunity presents itself.

As far as Alderson’s statement that Backman will be “a consideration” if a vacancy opens on the big league coaching staff, I’ll believe it when I see it.  That’s not a knock on Alderson, Terry Collins, or Backman.  Rather, it’s the fact that having both Collins and Backman on the big league staff could (unfairly or not) create a sideshow.

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