Mets rumors: Marlins could fire Mike Redmond, hire Wally Backman as manager

The 3-10 Marlins are considering firing manager Mike Redmond and have Wally Backman on their list as a potential replacement, writes Clark Spencer in the Miami Herald. 

Backman, currently managing the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas, would have to be given permission by the Mets in order to interview if the Marlins reach out to him.

Writes Spencer, who says that Miami’s upcoming series against the Phillies could be the tipping point for Redmond:

"But would Loria go so far as to fire a manager less than 20 games into the season?Sources said Loria is not happy with the team’s play, and Giancarlo Stanton‘s post-game comments Friday suggesting the team lacked “fire,” while in no way directed at the more laid-back style of Redmond, might have had the unintended effect of creating that impression. Loria has always had a strong preference for fiery managers. McKeon fit that bill, and Loria courted the combustible Bobby Valentine, as well as hiring Guillen, for those reasons."

Backman, 55, became manager of the short-season A Brooklyn Cyclones before the 2010 season, advanced to manage the Double-A Binghamton Mets in 2011, and has been the manager of their Triple-A affiliate – first in Buffalo, now in Las Vegas – since 2012.

Backman was named the PCL Manager of the Year in 2014.

Thoughts:

Backman not only getting a managerial job but getting one within the National League East would be quite the story.

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There is a vociferous faction of the Mets’ fanbase that wants Backman to be the next manager of the Mets, so this is sure to lead to an interesting reaction if it comes to fruition.

Speaking for myself, I’d be in favor of Backman taking over as manager if Terry Collins doesn’t lead the team to success this season, but it’s never seemed as if Sandy Alderson would turn to Backman if it came to it.

For me, it’s not so much an “I want Backman” thing. Rather, it’s an “I want a better tactician than Collins” thing. Either way, with the Mets off to a 10-3 start, there is no managing controversy brewing in New York.

Over the last few offseasons, Backman’s name has been kicked around as a potential coach on Terry Collins’ staff, but Alderson hasn’t pulled the trigger. Perhaps that’s because Alderson doesn’t want Backman in the same dugout as a lame-duck Collins, or perhaps it’s because the Mets simply value Backman more on the minor league side.

Backman is widely liked by his players and the Mets clearly value him, but it would be surprising if they prevented Backman from interviewing with the Marlins if he was given the opportunity.