Ranking Mets manager replacements for Buck Showalter from worst to best

New York Mets v Philadelphia Phillies
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1) NY Mets replacement option for Buck Showalter: Craig Counsell

It makes too much sense at this point. The manager spot is now vacant the same year Craig Counsell's contract runs out in Milwaukee. David Stearns, the man who hired Craig Counsell to be the Brewers manager, is now running the ship in New York. The Mets owner has the ability to offer him the most money. What am I missing?

Counsell (and Stearns) led the small-market Brewers to four straight postseason berths from 2018-2021 and is back there again this season after winning the NL Central. Even last season when Milwaukee didn't make it, the team won 86 games. That would've gotten them the second Wild Card spot this season in all likelihood.

Counsell has the analytic background the Mets are clearly seeking to add to their clubhouse, and has proven to know how to use analytics by fielding winners year after year.

If the Brewers were able to have the sustained success that they did during the Stearns-Counsell era with such limited financial flexibility, the sky feels like the limit with that duo paired with Steve Cohen's wallet. Stearns is already here, and will presumably do everything he can to get his old manager to come with him. The only question left is if Counsell wants it.

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