Mets Manager Choice: How much does it really even matter?

One way or another, the New York Mets will hire a new manager for the 2020 season. How much of an impact can he even have on the team?

Since firing Mickey Callaway, the New York Mets have interviewed everyone with a pulse to become the team’s new manager. With Joe Girardi officially going to the Philadelphia Phillies, they turn their full attention to the first-time MLB manager candidates.

Tim Bogar, Eduardo Perez, and an even more familiar name, Carlos Beltran, remain in play. Within days of the World Series ending, I expect them to make the hiring official.

As we all know, it’s 2019 and MLB managers ain’t what they used to be. Earl Weaver would have an aneurysm if he knew how little control he had over the team. You better believe we’d see Sparky Anderson retire early rather than let a man in an office control his team’s destiny.

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Things have changed. General managers wield more power than ever. Because of this, I question how much the manager choice makes a difference for the Mets. How can someone with such little influence change the outcome of the season?

During Callaway’s tenure, he seemed to make many questionable decisions. His gaffes cost them games, but how many pre-game choices were on Brodie Van Wagenen this past season or the other GMs one season earlier?

A manager in baseball can only win or lose so many games for a team. Ultimately, the talent on the field makes the difference.

I’m not revealing any big secret or claiming this as an epiphany I just realized. For weeks now, we’ve debated over who the Mets should hire to captain this team next. Many, including myself, were hoping to see Girardi there. Instead, many of us have concluded that it will be a voice box for Van Wagenen.

I think what frustrates us most about Van Wagenen leading the way “in secret” is how much it comes off as passing the buck. Whereas a team like the New York Yankees can win 100 games in back-to-back seasons with Aaron Boone playing puppet to Brian Cashman, at least the former has been in his position for decades. Van Wagenen is still green at his job.

Most major franchises in sports require a lot of input from the owners. The Mets seem to get more than most, though.

The manager and general manager aren’t getting anything done without the approval of Jeff Wilpon. Eventually, maybe they have enough power to speak up or Wilpon trusts them enough to make a call.

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Who the Mets hire matters. Despite lacking much organizational power, squeaking out those extra wins here or there while using their own logic could be the difference between finding the next Davey Johnson or a frustrating season with Art Howe 2.0 in the dugout.