Four-time Manager of the Year linked to Angels
Buck Showalter may not be unemployed for long.
Days after the New York Mets decided to part ways with the 67-year-old following a disastrous 2023, Showalter has reportedly thrown his hat in the ring for one of the less appealing jobs available in MLB. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Showalter is "trying hard to get" an interview with the Los Angeles Angels for their managerial opening.
It's an odd fit, considering Showatler's resume. The Angels' future is laughably uncertain. They will soon lose arguably the best player in baseball, two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, to free agency. Also, they may be in the market to trade superstar outfielder Mike Trout in the very near future, per reports. With both players, the Angels had trouble finding success, so turning that organization around without them will be tough.
Showalter found early success with the Mets, leading New York to a 101-61 mark during his first season with the team, earning National League Manager of the Year honors. However, in 2023, despite boasting the highest payroll in baseball, the Mets could not replicate last year's success, finishing a disappointing 75-87.
The veteran manager had the support of the Mets clubhouse, which could be attractive to the Angels. Several players, including first baseman Pete Alonso, voiced their support for Showalter to remain manager through the final season of his three-year contract with the team. Ultimately, the Mets showed Showalter the door in favor of allowing the team's new president of baseball operations, David Stearn, the chance to pick his own manager.
Despite the bumpy road ahead for the Angels franchise, Showalter seems up for the challenge. How things ended in New York shouldn't hurt Showalter, especially if he's campaigning for the Angels job. A four-time Manager of the Year, Showalter has led the same amount of teams to the postseason over 22 years as a manager, most recently taking the Mets there in 2022.
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