Insider updates if Mets are waiting to hire Brewers manager Craig Counsell

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns previously held that role with the Milwaukee Brewers, so many have assumed he's waiting to hire Brewers manager Craig Counsell once Counsell's contract expires at the end of October. 

It appears that's not necessarily the case. 

"Multiple MLB officials have said that they believe it is far from a slam dunk that Stearns is just biding time and will ultimately hire Craig Counsell," MLB insider Joel Sherman of the New York Post shared as part of a Friday report regarding Texas Rangers associate manager Will Venable declining a request to interview with the Mets. 

"I talked to them very briefly, but that was at the point where I already had made the decision that I was staying here," Venable told Sherman. 

Will Sammon of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the Mets "expect to hire someone outside the organization" after New York decided to part ways with Buck Showalter before the 2023 regular-season finale. Jon Heyman of the New York Post later noted that "people close" to Stearns "insist he is truly serious about considering first-time managers" should he fail to land Counsell. 

Counsell guided the Brewers to five playoff appearances across the past six years and holds a career 707-625 regular-season record with the club. Heyman wrote that the Mets "should easily top" the Brewers' best financial offer for Counsell, but that doesn't mean the 53-year-old already has his bags packed for Queens. 

Venable, meanwhile, sounds content working alongside Rangers manager Bruce Bochy through next season. 

"I’ve been fortunate to work for great organizations and I think at this point of my process and just where I am personally it is more about the group and people than about my role, and between (Rangers general manager Chris Young) and Bochy and our staff and our players, I have a place that feels right for me and my family," Venable told Sherman. "So this offseason, I am not pursuing any other jobs." 

MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY reported this past Monday that the Mets' search for a manager hadn't "really ignited yet." That should change come November, unless Counsell receives permission to speak with the Mets, which could happen as soon as this weekend.