Insider addresses future of Mets manager Buck Showalter

It appears a new-look New York Mets regime hasn't yet made a final decision about the future of manager Buck Showalter.

"...I'm hearing it's probably like 50/50 at best for Showalter to come back, which is kind of a hedge," SNY MLB insider Andy Martino said during Monday's edition of the "Mets Off Day Live" program, per Danny Abriano of SNY. 

Former Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns will officially become the Mets' president of baseball operations on Oct. 2, and Martino reported back on Sept. 12 that Stearns will retain current New York general manager Billy Eppler. Both Showalter and Eppler held onto their jobs last fall despite the Mets' late-season collapse, but Martino indicated Showalter may not be so lucky this time around. 

"I was able to report, as were others, immediately at the time of the Stearns news that Eppler would be the GM," Martino continued on Monday. "And we haven't been able to report that about Showalter." 

Showalter earned National League Manager of the Year honors after the Mets recorded 101 regular-season victories in 2022 but couldn't prevent MLB's most expensive squad from becoming the league's most disappointing team this summer for a variety of reasons. The Mets seemingly never fully recovered emotionally after All-Star closer Edwin Diaz suffered a season-ending knee injury celebrating a World Baseball Classic win in March, and alleged clubhouse issues may or may not have impacted the organization throughout the campaign. 

While the Amazins began Monday at 71-85, players such as current Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and former New York outfielder Tommy Pham have repeatedly offered public support for Showalter. The 67-year-old has a year left on his contract but could be viewed as the wrong man for the job if the Mets plan to punt on the 2024 season, following the club's summer fire sale that included acquiring young talent for veterans such as starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. 

Martino didn't mention candidates Stearns could target if the Mets part ways with Showalter as soon as next Monday.