Mets' Buck Showalter addresses future amid club uncertainty

It was learned Tuesday that former Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns will take over as New York Mets president of baseball operations shortly after the regular season concludes on Oct. 1. 

Outsiders don't know what that means regarding the future of Mets manager Buck Showalter, but he made it known Tuesday he doesn't "think about those things" and is worrying only about the games currently on his schedule. 

"This is not the time and place for my mind to be going there," Showalter explained, as shared by Dan Martin of the New York Post. 

SNY's Andy Martino reported Tuesday afternoon that Mets general manager Billy Eppler will retain his role and work under Stearns. The two presumably will determine Showalter's fate assuming they haven't already made such a decision. 

Showalter has a year left on his contract but also serves as the manager for arguably the most disappointing team in all of MLB. The 66-78 Mets began Wednesday with baseball's highest payroll and no realistic shot of making the playoffs, and they trail the first-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East standings by an astounding 28.5 games.

"You’re always trying to improve," Showalter said about the Mets' uncertain offseason that may or may not include shopping All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso. "You stay focused on what your job is. There are 26 players in that locker room we have a lot of confidence in." 

Showalter was named NL Manager of the Year last season but turned 67 years old this past spring and may not be the right fit for the Mets if they truly intend to punt on 2024 with the second half of the decade in mind. The skipper nevertheless realizes he has a job to do on gamedays until he learns otherwise from Stearns and/or Eppler.

"We, as a staff, try to stay on task and things usually work out if you stay true to the game and what your job description is," Showalter added.