The Buck Starts Here

By: Mike Rifkin and Mark Halpern

Even though baseball is in a lockout the Mets still make news and for this season the news has been all positive. On Saturday the Mets hired Buck Showalter as their new manager. This is the first time the buck will start and end at the same place. Showalter has managed the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rangers and Orioles and has a career record of 1,551-,1,517. Showalter last managed the Baltimore Orioles in 2018.  Showalter has experience in New York, as he managed the Yankees before they went to their four consecutive World Series. Showalter knows what it means to thrive in New York and deal with the cheers and boos.  Steve Cohen has said repeatedly how much he wants to win. Everything that Steve Cohen and Billy Eppler have done this offense signifies that the Mets want to win right now

Buck was the perceived favorite to replace Luis Rojas as the manager. Even the famous Mark “Old Ops Guy” Halpern predicted this at the end of the season last year. The prior two managers the Mets hired were first time managers. Buck Showalter will bring accountability to the organization. He will not put up with nonsense and will have no problem dealing with any pre Madonna’s that could come his way. Showalter said “ There is accountability and responsibility and (New York) isn’t for everybody. We are going to find out who it’s for and who it ain’t.” Luis Rojas was heavy in the analytics, I think Buck’s experience and feel for the game will certainly help. Showalter said about analytics “If you think that I’m going to let somebody beat us by having analytical information or because someone on the staff doesn’t understand it, I’m not going to talk about it. We’ll show you.” Buck is a three time AL Manager of the Year, last winning the award in 2014. The only individual we know that will be on the coaching staff currently is Jeremy Hefner was brought back as the pitching coach. Showalter said about Hefner at his introductory press conference that “ he is very impressed with Hefner and I can’t wait to get back on the phone with him.” Showalter is the latest excellent move from the Mets this offseason after adding Max Scherzer, Mark Canha, Eduardo Escobar and Starling Marte to the roster. A roster that is already very talented with guys like Jacob DeGrom, Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, etc… Last season the Mets made history by being in first place for 103 days and wind up having a losing record. 

 Do I think the Mets are done making moves? No, I would still like to see them add another arm in the rotation and the bullpen once the lockout ends. A lot of analysts have predicted that even with all the signings that the Mets are one of the teams to sign Kris Bryant.  Buck Showalter said about owner Steve and Alex Cohen “The love and passion that Steve and Alex have for the Mets and the things they are willing to do, that’s exciting.” All of this is music to Mets fans ears because there is a new sheriff in town and the Buck starts with him.