The Mets entered 2017 with the understandable expectation that they might return to the postseason for a third straight year, having won a National League pennant in 2015 (only to lose the World Series to the Royals), and lost the NL wild-card game in 2016. After all, they had a young, talented rotation, a lineup stocked with veteran power hitters, and some nearly ready A-list prospects who might reinforce their bid to win. And they had the benefit of manager Terry Collins, who had guided them to their previous postseason appearances and holds the franchise record for games managed.
Those expectations were spectacularly disappointed in a season undermined by injuries and public arguments between players and management, a yearlong meltdown that culminated in Collins' decision to resign at the end of the regular season. With change coming to the Mets' dugout for the first time since Collins was selected to replace Jerry Manuel after the 2010 season, we asked ESPN's Jerry Crasnick and David Schoenfield to weigh in on who might be the next manager of the Mets.
1. Who are the best fits?