Terry Collins, Clint Hurdle and Bob Melvin remain the favorites in the Mets’ managerial derby, but one wildcard candidate has emerged in the past 24 hours. As hinted by Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com earlier this afternoon, the Mets will indeed interview Jose Oquendo next Monday in Orlando before the GM meetings get underway, according to David Lennon of New York Newsday.
Oquendo confirmed the upcoming interview to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Oquendo, an ex-Met, has spent the past 11 seasons as Tony La Russa’s third base coach with the Cardinals. He has previously interviewed for manager jobs with the Mariners and the Padres, who were then led by, you guessed it, new Mets GM Sandy Alderson. The Mets are expected to settle on someone with previous experience -- hence the favorites listed above -- but the La Russa connection has to help his chances.
