Interviewing Mets Joe Espada In Management Search; Don Kelly Withdraws From Consideration

The Mets interviewed Astros bench coach Joe Espada during their ongoing manager search, SNY’s Andy Martino reports (Twitter link). He became the fifth known interviewee, along with Matt Quatraro, Buck Showalter, Brad Ausmus and Bob Geren.

Espada, 46, spent four seasons as Houston’s bench coach. His first two years as manager of AJ Hinch, and he retained that position even after the club moved to Dusty Baker following Hinch’s sacking over the sign-stealing scandal last year. 2017. Before playing for the Astros, Espada spent four seasons in the Yankees organization, the following three seasons with Joe Girardi’s coaching staff. The Espada’s time in the Bronx partially overlaps with that of the Mets’ current general manager, Billy Eppler, who served as a AGM with the Yankees from 2012-15.

So far, Espada has no experience managing major tournaments. However, he has long been seen as a viable candidate to hit the top spot at some point. During the 2018-19 season, he is said to have interviewed for management positions with the Twins, Angels and Rangers, and he is said to have been a finalist for the Blue Jays job that ultimately went to Charlie Montoyo. The following winter, he met the Cubs and Giants – making such an impression on the latter organization that he was once thought to be the frontrunner to Gabe Kapler’s final spot.

Espada has also attracted interest from other clubs with a vacant position currently in the dugout. Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli and Ken Rosenthal previously reported this week that he is expected to sit down with A’s bronze as part of their efforts to find a replacement for Bob Melvin.

Of the six known candidates for the Mets’ position, five have now been interviewed. The other – Pirates bench coach Don Kelly – couldn’t seem to run. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported this evening (on Twitter) that Kelly withdrew her name from review for personal reasons. Presumably, that means he’ll return to the role of Derek Shelton’s top lieutenant in Pittsburgh in 2022.

That’s not to say that the group of five people known to have interviewed were finalists for the position. New York Post’s Mike Puma tweet that the Mets have an interview with an additional unnamed candidate scheduled for tomorrow morning.