Mets Morning News: Tim Bogar, Eduardo Perez rumored to be strong candidates for manager

Meet the Mets

Nationals first base coach Tim Bogar has reportedly emerged as a strong candidate in the Mets’ managerial search after interviewing very strongly with team officials.

Davey Martinez and Mike Rizzo both offered effusive praise for their colleague in the wake of these reports.

Conversely, Bob Nightengale of USA Today claims that Eduardo Perez is now the “clear front runner” for the job.

While it appears that the Mets will go with a rookie manager again, Joel Sherman argues that the Mets should also try to hire Buck Showalter as the bench coach to help navigate the newbie through his growing pains.

Take a moment to remind yourself just how special Pete Alonso’s 2019 season was.

Mets prospect Andres Gimenez concluded a terrific stint in the Arizona Fall League with two hits in Friday’s season finale game, which left him with a league-leading .371 batting average as the shortstop looks to head into the 2020 season with some momentum after a slightly disappointing year in Binghamton.

Around the National League East

In their first World Series game at home, the Nationals fell to the Astros 4-1. Washington still holds a 2-1 series advantage.

In the aftermath of the Phillies’ hiring of Joe Girardi, our sister site The Good Phight argued that he was the clear choice for the ballclub.

Fresh off the heels of securing a new contract with the Marlins, Don Mattingly has begun to secure his 2020 coaching staff, as it was announced that Twins hitting coach James Rowson will be joining Miami as their bench coach and “offensive coordinator.”

Around Major League Baseball

The Astros continue to deal with the fallout of the Brandon Taubman controversy, as the whole ordeal calls into question the culture that allowed such a disastrous string of events to occur.

Between this incident and the several other wholly preventable controversies that have befallen Major League Baseball in recent times, there’s just not much reason to have a ton of faith in the league these days.

One of those preventable controversies: the question of whether or not the baseballs remain juiced in the postseason.

The Red Sox have reportedly chosen Chaim Bloom as their next general manager. The Rays executive was a finalist in the Mets’ GM search last year before they went with Brodie Van Wagenen.

Carlos Carrasco has been named the 2019 winner of the Roberto Clemente award. Having battled leukemia for several months during the season before making his triumphant return to the mound in September, the right-handed pitcher is a worthy recipient of the award, which recognizes players for their high character and their contributions off the field.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Jack McLoone reviewed Rene Rivera’s incredibly short major league stint with the Mets in 2019.

Steve Sypa’s countdown of the best minor league pitchers he saw in the Mets’ farm system this year came to a conclusion, with the number one spot belonging to 2019 first-round draft pick Matthew Allan.

Sypa also provided us with the most recent episode of Amazin’ Avenue in Conversation, as he talked to Antoine Duplantis, the Mets’ 12th-round draft pick in 2019 and a member of the Brooklyn Cyclones’ championship roster.

This Date in Mets History

The Mets were defeated by the Yankees 4-2 in Game 5 of the Subway Series on this date in 2000, which gave the Bombers their 26th championship and denied the Amazins their elusive third title.