PHILADELPHIA _ Terry Collins won't be managing the Mets in 2018, but he will remain within the organization. Sources confirmed the manager plans to step down following Sunday's series finale, and he will move into a front-office position.
Collins is in the last year of his contract, and The Athletic first reported his plan.
All indications were Sunday would be Collins' final game as the team's manager, and Collins is willing to remain with the organization even as the team plans to bring in another manager. Collins had told The Record earlier in the week that he planned to remain in baseball in 2018, and was hoping it would be with the Mets.
Both Collins and Mets general manager Sandy Alderson had said no decision had been made, and Collins has avoided talking about the possibility of this being his final game.
Before Sunday's game, players from both teams showed respect to Collins and Phillies manager Pete Mackanin as they exchanged lineup cards before their final games as managers. Collins was also embraced by his players in the dugout.
"Got some things I got to take care of today and worry about it when the game's over," Collins said before the season finale against the Phillies. "Right now, my mind is on some things I need to talk to a couple players about, so that's where it's at."
This week had been tough for Collins as reports emerged detailing why the organization was prepared to move in a different direction. Articles in the New York Post and Newsday chronicled how co-owner Fred Wilpon prevented Collins from being fired multiple times, and how Collins and the front office were not in sync.
The 68-year-old was also criticized anonymously by front-office executive and players, which drew condemnation from David Wright and Alderson.
Collins has spent seven years the team's manager, and is the longest-tenured manager in franchise history. He entered Sunday's game 551-582 in his tenure, and earlier this year passed Davey Johnson to become the franchise leader in games manager.
He is only one of two managers to lead the Mets to the playoffs in back-to-back years. The Mets reached the World Series for just the fifth time in franchise history in 2015, and were defeated by the Giants in the Wild Card Game last year at Citi Field.
The Mets underachieved this season due to injuries and inconsistent production, and the team struggled after five veterans were traded this summer.
"It's baseball. Spent my whole life in it. There are good weeks, bad weeks, good years, bad years," Collins said before the game. "You got to be able to deal with them all, can't just ride the wave the whole time. We'll move on."
The Mets previously awarded Collins a pair of two-year contract extensions, extending him in 2013 and 2015. Collins indicated after last season that he would consider retiring if he was exhausted again, but told The Record this week that he feels "great."
Alderson is also in the final year of his contract, and he is expected back to lead the search for a new manager. The team is expected to cast a wide net during its search, and could look to hire an individual who has either played or coached in New York.
Candidates could include Robin Ventura, Chip Hale, Alex Cora, and Bob Geren, and Mets hitting Kevin Long has also been floated as a possibility.
Among the coaches, only third base coach Glenn Sherlock is under contract for 2018. The team is expected to part ways with pitching coach Dan Warthen, and it's unclear whether Long will re-sign with the organization if another manager is brought in.
Alderson has been clear he expects the Mets to contend in 2018.
