8 hours ago
2
Pete Alonso was “the next David Wright.” Brandon Nimmo was a stalwart in the making — who needed cooking lessons. Edwin Díaz was the prized All-Star closer who “couldn’t get it going.”
Mickey Callaway was at the helm for plenty of drama during his two years as Mets skipper and knows better than most the consequences of losing in New York.
That’s why, in the midst of the Mets’ transformative offseason, Callaway understands why his former team moved on from three franchise pillars.
“When I look at this, it seems to me the front office — David Stearns and probably [Steve] Cohen — are looking at guys and going, ‘Hey, these guys were our main players for six or seven years, and we haven’t won with them,’” Callaway told The Post in a phone interview.
“So maybe they’re saying, ‘We need a change of scenery, a change in culture, some new leaders, because we’re spending too much money to be a mediocre team.’”
Callaway, 50, managed the Mets from 2018-2019, posting middling results as the team missed the playoffs both seasons while compiling a 163–161 record before his dismissal.
However, the Callaway era also helped lay the foundation for three perennial All-Stars and fan favorites.
Nimmo enjoyed his first breakout season in 2018, slashing .263/.404/.483 with 17 home runs before missing time the following spring after undercooking some chicken – which was later debunked.
The following year, Alonso delivered a historic rookie campaign, setting an MLB record with 53 home runs and prompting Callaway to dub him “the next David Wright in this organization, there’s no doubt in my mind.”
That same season, Díaz — who arrived from the Mariners in a blockbuster seven-player trade — struggled mightily in his Mets debut, blowing seven saves while pitching to a 5.59 ERA.
Nimmo and Alonso remained fixtures in the Mets’ lineup, while Díaz overcame his rocky start to become one of baseball’s elite closers — and, according to Callaway, the most surprising of the three to depart.
“After the last couple of years with Alonso and all the stuff in the press, I thought there was a chance he could leave at some point,” Callaway said. “Although I think he would have loved to stay, because I know he loves it there.
“But the one that really shocked me was Edwin. The way he’s been closing for them the last few years, that’s a big hole to fill. It’s a big gamble, but I guess they just wanted to move on, move forward and see what else they can do.”
The Mets have added former Yankees closer Devin Williams and began their post-Alonso reset by inking versatile veteran infielder Jorge Polanco over the weekend.
The Mets are also engaged with the San Diego Padres on several pitching options, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported.
Callaway, who was suspended in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations while a member of the Angels staff, is the latest ex-Met to weigh in on the offseason; former third baseman Todd Frazier eviscerated the team for not retaining the beloved trio – and questioned their entire approach.
“All right, now you’re not all in, now what are you gonna do?” Frazier asked. “What is the next step for the Mets? There’s not that many out there.
“Guess what, those guys have gotta say, ‘You know what, I’ll come there.’ But who would want to go there now knowing what they do?”
As the remainder of the winter unfolds, Callaway said he “can’t blame” the Mets’ approach — but cautioned them to find the right replacements.
“I think they’re just going in a different direction to get some steam built up to be the team they want to be,” Callaway said. “I can’t blame them for that. They’re great players, put up great numbers and were great Mets. But at some point, you have to go a different route if things are not working.
“It better work,” he added with a chuckle. “Those fans are going to be really mad if it doesn’t work.”
English (US)