By Kristie Ackert
HOUSTON _ In a surprise move, the Mets hired Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway to be their next manager on Sunday.
He received a three-year deal, according to a source, and will replace Terry Collins, whose contract was up after seven seasons. The team has yet to make an announcement.
Callaway has spent the past five years with Cleveland as their pitching coach, being promoted to join Terry Francona's bench after serving as the organization's minor league pitching coordinator. He spent parts of five seasons in the majors, pitching to a 4-11 record with a 6.27 ERA.
The 42-year-old will be among the youngest managers in baseball next season, a direct contrast to Collins, who was the oldest.
After the pitchers' outspoken protest of the firing of pitching coach Dan Warthen this is an interesting hire. Will hiring a manager who has coached pitchers comfort a group that left the 2017 season in disarray?
"Don't know much about him, we'll see," one Met pitcher said via text in reaction to the news. "Still not happy I won't be working with Dan."
The Mets had interviewed and were also considering hitting coach Kevin Long, Mariners third base coach Manny Acta and White Sox bench coach Joe McEwing.
Long, who has been the team's hitting coach for three seasons, was initially considered a favorite to get the job. He was informed on Sunday that he was not getting the promotion. It is uncertain if Long will be back next season at this point.
Collins announced on Oct. 1 that after a "tremendous run" he was stepping down as Mets manager but would remain in an undefined role with the organization.
GM Sandy Alderson said Collins had taken the Mets "... from a situation where there were real questions about the organization, about the team and took us to the apex of a World Series."
"And for that together with the two playoff appearances we will all be tremendously grateful," Alderson added.
Collins finished 551-582 as the Mets' longest tenured manager.
