What had been assumed for months is now official: Mickey Callaway will be back in 2019 for a second season as the Mets' manager, a source said Friday.
Callaway, in town for organizational meetings, and Brodie Van Wagenen met Thursday at Citi Field, one in a long series of first-week sitdowns for the new general manager, sources said. Sources described the meeting as productive and positive, the same tone Van Wagenen struck Tuesday when addressing Callaway's status after their preliminary conversations.
"I fully support him and I think that one of the themes that we've discussed today, and will continue to be a part of this new regime, is a culture of positivity," Van Wagenen said at his introductory news conference, stopping short of saying Callaway would be back. "He has enthusiasm and he has energy and I want to embrace that and use that to inspire players."
In a season beset by injuries and weak organizational depth, Callaway's Mets finished 77-85, fourth in the NL East but seven games better than 2017. After going 5-21 in June, one of the worst months in franchise history, the Mets had the best record in the division from July onward at 45-37.
Throughout, Callaway's status was never much in doubt, though chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said at the end of the season that it would be up to the eventual new GM to decide.
"Mickey and the staff did a nice job not letting anybody quit and keeping them moving forward, which was certainly something that could have happened," Wilpon said in September. "I'd like Mickey to stay. That's from ownership, though. And we're going to rely on a new GM to give us that direction and guidance."
Now, Van Wagenen is beginning to offer that direction and guidance.
The Mets have not finalized plans for Callaway's coaching staff.
