This afternoon, I was talking with one of my good friends, an executive with an NL West team, about the status of the Mets manager position. I know a lot of Mets fans are unhappy with Manuel, and many feel that there are just not a lot of solid options out there to replace him, should he get the ax. After talking a bit with him, my friend, who I’ve known for years, mentioned someone whom he feels would be the perfect fit to take over the reigns at Citi Field, and he’s right in the Mets own backyard.
 
What about Yankees bench coach Tony Pena as the Mets new manager?
 
Pena is highly regarded and well respected, both as a coach, and when he was manager of Kansas City. Remember, he won the manager of the Year award back in 2003. His detractors will point to some of his off-the-field issues and the fact that he resigned as manager of the Royals in May of 2005 with his team holding down last place, (with the worst record in the AL) at 8–25.
 
During his stay in KC, Pena gained a reputation as someone who always went out of his way to stress fundamentals, and was considered to be a good in-game manager. His problem was that he just didn’t have enough talent to compete. The great Casey Stengel once stated that, “You need the horses if you’re going to win anything.”  Pena never had the “horses” in Kansas City because of ownership’s refusal to put money back into the on-field product.
 
Would Pena be as good with the press as Manuel is? Most likely not, but is that the most important criteria when it comes to choosing a manager? Hardly.
 
Depending on who you talk to, the Wilpon’s have certain financial considerations as the team moves forward. No one is quite sure what will happen when it comes to free agents this coming off seasons, let alone trades. I feel that if they stay healthy, and add a few key pieces in the off season, (a left fielder, 1st baseman, starting pitcher), the Mets will be back competing for the NL East crown or a wild card berth next year.
 
Would Tony Pena be a better fit for a (healthy) 2010 Mets squad than Jerry Manuel? Who knows, but it’s an option I think the Mets should consider.

Tags: Jerry Manuel, Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Tony Pena