Report: Mets have Joe Girardi ‘high on their list’ after firing Mickey Callaway

The New York Mets announced on Thursday that they have fired Mickey Callaway following his two seasons as the team’s manager, and it sounds like they want to bring in a flashy name to replace him.

Joe Girardi is high on the Mets’ list of managerial candidates, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. They are also interested in Joe Maddon, but the belief is that Maddon will want to remain closer to his roots in California with both the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres also looking for new managers.

The #Mets now expected to hire manager with experience to replace Callaway and Joe Girardi high on their list. They will also call Joe Maddon, but his preference is Southern California with #Angels or #Padres

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 3, 2019

Girardi has not managed the last two seasons after he was fired by the New York Yankees in 2017. He won a World Series with the team in 2009 and has a record of 988-794 between his time with the Yankees and lone season as manager of the Marlins. Girardi’s playoff record is 28-24.

Callaway was a first-time manager when the Mets hired him, so it makes sense that they would want to replace him with an experienced candidate. Girardi confirmed this week that he wants to manage again and would consider all possibilities, and he hinted during the 2019 season that the Mets job might interest him.