New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza appears to be making the move across town as the Mets are reportedly hiring him as manager.
The Mets have been searching for a new manager since firing Buck Showalter early last month and appear to be closing with the announcement of the veteran skipper’s replacement.
And despite reports that the Mets were targeting Craig Counsell, the organization is hiring Mendoza as their new manager, according to ESPN.
The 43-year-old is reportedly leaving the Bronx for Queens after 15 years with the Yankees in multiple roles.
He played in the lower minor leagues in 2011-12 before spending the past four seasons as Aaron Boone’s bench coach.
New York Mets have reportedly hired Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza as their new manager
Counsell was seen as the favorite for the role because he has a strong working relationship with Mets baseball president David Stearns, who was hired in October after working with Counsell in Milwaukee. Meanwhile, Counsell and his wife Michelle are reportedly loving New York.
But the Mets opted for a lower-profile hire in Mendoza after he impressed in interviews, the report adds. The two sides agreed on the terms on Monday.
Counsell was also thought to be in the mix for the Guardians’ position, but Cleveland announced Monday afternoon that it had named Stephen Vogt as manager.
Counsell’s contract with Milwaukee expired last week, but the Brewers are allowing him to look elsewhere while hoping they can re-sign the coveted manager.
Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio has said multiple times that the team wants Counsell back in 2024.
Mendoza played in 28 Major League games as a player, including 15 with the Mets in 1997. He had four hits in the big league.
More to follow.