Mets Part Ways With Luis Rojas

The New York Mets have parted ways with manager Luis Rojas after two seasons by not picking up his option for the 2022 season. 

The Mets, of course, led the NL East for the vast majority of the season. At the beginning of August, the Mets were 56-48 and had a five game lead in the division and had just acquired Javier Baez from the Chicago Cubs. Then everything fell apart. They lost 19 of their next 25 games, Baez led several members of the team in giving the thumbs down to what was left of their fan base and, on top of that, their acting GM Zack Scott got busted on a DUI. Oh well, at least he wasn't texting dick pics. But in less than four weeks the Mets went from atop the division to being a sub .500 team.

They would briefly rebound towards the end of August and beginning of September by winning 8 out of 10 and getting back above .500. But the momentum didn't last and the Mets wound finish the season losing 16 of their final 23 games. This might not have been Rojas' fault but the thumbs down episode demonstrated he wasn't in control of the team. 

The Mets won't select a new manager until they pick a new President of Baseball Operations. Former Boston Red Sox GM and Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein, Oakland A's Executive VP Billy Beane and Milwaukee Brewers President of Baseball Operations David Stearns are said to be top candidates.

Regardless of who the pick to run the day to day operations upstairs, the Mets clearly need a no-nonsense manager in the dugout. Dusty Baker would be a wise choice should the Houston Astros not renew his deal or former Yankees, D'Backs, Rangers and Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Maybe even a former Mets manager like Joe Torre. I don't think the Mets can afford to hire a first time manager. That team needs someone who has been tested and can handle the insanity inherent in New York.