Mets manager list cut to 3 finalists

he Mets have whittled their list of manager candidates down to three, inviting Buck Showalter, Joe Espada and Matt Quatraro for second-round interviews, a source told MLB.com on Sunday. The Mets did not confirm the list as they are not commenting on the ongoing process.

Team owner Steve Cohen, who sat out the first round of interviews, is expected to take part in the callbacks.

Many within the industry consider Showalter the favorite for the job given his vast managerial experience, which dwarfs that of any other candidate. A manager for four teams over 20 seasons spanning 1992-2018, the 65-year-old Showalter is adept with the media and understands New York as well as anyone, having worked in the Bronx for four seasons. He also boasts a connection to Mets general manager Billy Eppler, who reportedly recommended Showalter to Angels owner Arte Moreno when Los Angeles was looking for a manager in 2019.