An organizational source has told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, both Jim Riggelman and Bob Geren will interview for the New York Mets vacant bench coach position as soon as Wednesday:
The Mets are looking for a bench coach, ideally with major league managerial experience, to succeed Ken Oberkfell on manager Terry Collins’ staff.
A team source previously identified former major league managers John McLaren and Larry Bowa as candidates, but Bowa is now not likely to be in the mix, the source now added.”
According to Rubin’s source, “other interviews were being arranged Monday night.”
#bbpBox_123516917121171456 a { text-decoration:none; color:#0084B4; }#bbpBox_123516917121171456 a:hover { text-decoration:underline; }Riggleman makes sense here: Wants to get back in big-league dugout, good relationship with TC (and Warthen), solid knowledge of NL East.
about 4 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®ReplyRetweetFavorite
@Ledger_NYMetsAndy McCullough
According to Adam Rubin, an organizational source has told ESPN New York that John McLaren and Bob Geren appear on the New York Mets internal list of candidates to become the next bench coach.
Rubin goes on to state:
Not all of those candidates have yet been contacted, since the Mets did not formally dismiss bench coach Ken Oberkfell until Wednesday and are still brainstorming candidates, a source added.”
McLaren spent the last two seasons under Jim Riggelman as the Washinton Nationals bench coach. He served a brief stint as the Nats interim manager after Riggelman resigned due to a contract dispute with the Washington front office 75 games into the 2011 season. McLaren was replaced by former Mets manager Davey Johnson and was reassigned to scouting duties within the organization.
Prior to his position with the Nationals, McLaren managed the Seattle Mariners from 2007-2008, in which he boasted a sup-par 68-88 record.
The 50-year old Geren, managed the Oakland Athletics from 2007 until he was fired 63 games into the 2011 season. During his 4 1/2 year tenure with the Athletics, Geren was 334-376.
Update, Oct. 6, 9:12 am
Larry Bowa and Jim Riggelman Candidates for Bench CoachAccording to Mike Puma of the New York Post, sources say both Larry Bowa and Jim Riggleman are candidates for the open position of New York Mets bench coach:
#bbpBox_121700830855442432 a { text-decoration:none; color:#db0f23; }#bbpBox_121700830855442432 a:hover { text-decoration:underline; }Source says Larry Bowa and Jim Riggelman are among the candidates team will consider for bench coach. Both are tight with Collins.October 5, 2011 5:38 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite
@NYPost_MetsMike Puma
Bowa, a long time friend of manager Terry Collins was considered a candidate last season to become the clubs bench coachbut was passed up for Ken Oberkfell. I’m not exactly sure what was changed from then to now, but Bowa is often credited in the maturation of Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano. 
I have become a big Bowa fan during this past season, as the former Phillies manager served as a studio analyst for MLB Network, showing a real knowledge of the game.
While I am still unsure of the significance of a ‘bench coach’ I would have no problem with a fiery personality like Bowa being Collins right hand man.
Bowa managed the Padres in 1987 and 1988 and the Phillies from 2001 -04 boasting a 418-435 record. He was also bench coach for Joe Torre at the end of his tenure with the Yankees and during his first season as manager of the L.A. Dodgers.
Original Post by Jason Robotham, Oct. 5, 3:56 pm
New York Mets spin the coaching carousel
The Mets have announced that the team will make some coaching changes, at various levels within the organization, for next season:
The New York Mets today announced that Bench Coach Ken Oberkfell, Third Base Coach Chip Hale, First Base Coach Mookie Wilson and Bullpen Coach Jon Debus will not return to the major league club for the 2012 season.
Tim Teufel will take over as Third Base Coach and Ricky Bones will become Bullpen Coach. Hitting Coach Dave Hudgens and Pitching Coach Dan Warthen will return to Manager Terry Collins’ staff in the same positions next year.
Photo by Michael G. Baron
Hale declined an offer to remain on Collins’ staff to pursue another Major League coaching opportunity. Wilson and Debus will be offered other positions within the organization.
Teufel was the Manager of the Buffalo Bisons (AAA) of the International League for the 2011 season and Bones was Pitching Coach.
The Mets will announce further additions to the Major League coaching staff in the coming weeks.
Some initial reactions from beat writers covering the team:
Andy Martino on Dave Debus:
#bbpBox_121669434866802689 a { text-decoration:none; color:#0084B4; }#bbpBox_121669434866802689 a:hover { text-decoration:underline; }Debus was fall guy for both the relief pitching and catching being bad. Organization loves Warthen's preparedness and rapport w pitchersOctober 5, 2011 3:33 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite
@SurfingTheMetsAndy Martino
and Mookie Wilson:
#bbpBox_121668873387905024 a { text-decoration:none; color:#0084B4; }#bbpBox_121668873387905024 a:hover { text-decoration:underline; }Sources say there were concerns about Wilson's work preparing OF defense, particularly Duda.October 5, 2011 3:31 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite@SurfingTheMetsAndy Martino
Adam Rubin on why Chip Hale turned down the Mets offer to return to the team:
#bbpBox_121668428586168321 a { text-decoration:none; color:#0084B4; }#bbpBox_121668428586168321 a:hover { text-decoration:underline; }Chip Hale officially has been named A's bench coach. Two-year deal.October 5, 2011 3:29 pm via TweetDeckReplyRetweetFavorite
@AdamRubinESPNAdam Rubin
Original Story:
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October 10, 2011
