The Viability Of A Mets Player-Manager

In a game recap discussion bemoaning Jerry Manuel's strategic incompetence, I wondered if the Mets would be better off with Johan Santana as manager. I was half-joking, but it got me thinking: is it viable to have a player-manager nowadays? Which current Met would be best suited for this role?

Player-managers were a part of baseball from the sport's inception through the 1980s. This job was generally held by past their prime ballplayers who were still good enough to warrant a spot on a big league roster. Tris Speaker, Connie Mack, Frank Robinson, Joe Torre, and Pete Rose were player-managers. Rose was the last one, in 1986. These managers of the past had the same functions as their present day counterparts, including in-game decision making (lineup creation, substitutions and pitching changes, arguing with umpires) and off the field administration (interacting with the media, dealing with player issues). The main difference in present day is improved technology and enhanced knowledge about the game. Managing a baseball team has become an increasingly difficult task over the years, for several reasons.

• Bullpen specialization.
• More emphasis on pitch counts, and therefore a rise in bullpen usage. More pitching changes = more thinking required.
• Readily available advanced statistics and an increase in the people who use these statistics to first and second guess.
• Media outlets, be it television, radio, or Internet, clamoring for pre- and post-game interviews.

It's completely understandable why player-managers are an extinct species. I would not want Jose Reyes worrying about pitch counts, lefty/righty matchups, or being second guessed in the media. He should be focused on playing the game. A major league roster spot is valuable, and it doesn't make sense to clog up the 25th spot with a past-his-prime type of player. If a player is good enough for the big leagues, he shouldn't be worrying about managerial decisions.

The answer to the first question in the opening paragraph is no, it is not viable to have a player-manager nowadays. The jobs of player and manager are demanding enough that they should be separate. However, it might still be fun to decide which current Met would be the best manager. Since I don't know any of the Met players personally, I won't speculate about who has the best "baseball IQ" or knowledge of statistics. Instead I'll stick with what is known - position, experience, team tenure, and media skills. Here are some options:

Carlos Beltran, age 32: Voltron would almost certainly be more Joe Torre than Lou Piniella, and he would have a long walk to the mound for pitching changes. His first few years with the Mets were relatively quiet off the field, but recently he's been a little short fused when speaking to the media, towards critics, opponents, and teammates

Alex Cora, age 33: He has a World Series ring and is generally considered to be a "gritty veteran." Brother Joey is currently a coach with the White Sox. Alex has had a nice career as a backup middle infielder and just seems like a guy who will be working in baseball when he can't play anymore.

Johan Santana, age 30: Here is an intriguing choice. On one hand, Johan is likeable, well-spoken, and commands respect. On the other, he has a tendency to throw teammates under the bus. He's a decent choice but would probably remove pitch count limitations on days that he pitches. We don't need that.

Brian Schneider, age 32:  Catchers are more familiar with pitchers than any other position.  Since bullpen management is a large part of the job description, pitching staff knowledge is a major plus.  Omir Santos is not a worthy option, for many reasons.  That leaves Schneider, a solid defensive catcher (although it appears he has regressed in that area recently) who's had a respectable career.  Another benefit is that with Schneider's increased profile we would probably see more of his better half.

Gary Sheffield, age 40: I only listed him because of his status as the oldest Met. Sheff as manager would probably be equal parts hilarious and frightening.

Fernando Tatis, age 34: Hit 2 grand slams in one inning. Came back to baseball to build a church in his native Dominican Republic. Was probably the most "clutch" Met hitter in 2008. And so forth. In all seriousness, Tatis is a viable candidate and I think his up and down career is an asset. He was a .411 wOBA hitter once but was also out of the game for 2 years. Players might have more respect for a guy like that, rather than a superstar-from-the-start type player like Voltron or Wright.

David Wright, age 26: Age is the biggest factor here. Most people don't like to be managed or bossed around by a much younger individual and baseball players are no different. He gives a pretty bland interview, and I could see him being branded with the "emotionless" tag when the Mets aren't playing well. Of course, when the Mets are winning it would be because of Wright's stoic leadership.

My pick would be Schneider, because he probably has the best knowledge of the pitching staff of any player. Cora is a close 2nd, with Tatis also receiving some consideration. Contract is not considered here, so the number of years a player is signed for is not a factor.