After winning Manager of the Year following an 101-win season and wild card berth in 2022 with the New York Mets, Buck Showalter's team endured a horrendous 2023 campaign.
For that, the Mets might have a new skipper in town next season. Especially since the organization hired David Stearns to come in as president of baseball operations, and he could want to bring in his own manager.
Showalter, who is 67-years-old, would be entering the final year of his contract in 2024. But it is no given that he returns as manager.
According to SNY's Andy Martino, it is "probably 50/50 at best" that Showalter comes back as manager next year.
Showalter was given a three-year contract in December of 2021, and did a great job in his first year as manager of the Mets. However, the wheels came off this season and now there could be a change.
It has already been reported that general manager Billy Eppler is likely to remain in place under Stearns. But as for Showalter, his job security is more unknown.
As Martino added, Showalter is a brilliant baseball mind and would be tough to replace. But Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell is set to become a free agent and he could reunite with Stearns in New York.
Counsell is one of the best managers in the game and if the Mets could land him it would make a serious impact in the dugout.
If they can't lure Counsell to Queens, the Mets might be better off holding onto Showalter for one more year, as it would be tough to find another manager with equal experience and respect.
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