With Alderson Or Byrnes Likely Next Mets GM, Does Backman Stand A Chance To Manage Mets?

With the Mets announcement that the team has reduced the candidates for GM to two, Sandy Alderson & Josh Byrnes, does this close the door on Wally Backman possibly being the teams next manager?

The Mets sent a letter via e-mail that stated:

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Dear Mets Fans:

We are bringing back Josh Byrnes and Sandy Alderson for a second round of interviews with Fred, Saul and me. Josh is scheduled for Monday and Sandy for Tuesday as we continue our search for the next General Manager of the Mets.

John Ricco and I spoke personally with Allard Baird, Rick Hahn, Logan White and Dana Brown earlier today to thank them for their interest and taking the time to interview with us.

We will be back to you with more information regarding our new GM soon.

Sincerely,

Jeff Wilpon

Jeff Wilpon

COO

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According to some sources, Wally Backman is one of five possible Mets managerial candidates on both men's list.

Other than Fred Wilpon having a man-crush on Bud Selig, and Alderson is being endorsed by Selig, could this be the reason these two individuals made the first cut? There is a good chance this is the case. Personally, as I have stated, I am a Wally Backman Card Carrying Member, but I would hate for the Mets to choose a GM because of this. That will only further prove that there is no autonomy for the next Mets GM.

Jon Daniels intrigues me greatly, but with the wonderful job he has done in Texas and with his team now on it's way to the World Series, chances of the Mets interviewing, let alone hiring him are remote at best.

More rumors are saying the Mets will have a decision on their next GM this week. The only thing Byrnes has going for him is that he should be cheaper to hire than Alderson. Of the remaining two, I would rather see Alderson for one reason, and one reason only: I can't see Alderson tolerating much of the nonsense from ownership. I would rather see a young guy, but unfortunately, most candidates nowadays are saber metric geeks. That's not my style. I prefer a baseball person; one who not only understands the game, but is able to hire a scouting staff that watches young talent and make an evaluation based on that, not on stats alone.

With the hiring of either man be a big plus for the potential hiring of Wally Backman as Mets manager? Only time will tell, but Backman would come cheaper than an established manager, and that might bode well for him. That, and the fact it is believed he is on the short list of both Alderson's and Byrnes list.