The New York Mets have made it clear: They aren’t moving off of manager Buck Showalter.
Mets general manager Billy Eppler proclaimed on Tuesday that he believed that Showalter was the man to get them out of the trouble they’ve found themselves in. On Wednesday, owner Steve Cohen reiterated those beliefs directed at both Eppler and Showalter.
Metsmerized Online tweeted, “Steve Cohen on if Billy Eppler and Buck Showalter will remain in their jobs for the rest of the season: ‘Absolutely.'”
Steve Cohen on if Billy Eppler and Buck Showalter will remain in their jobs for the rest of the season:
"Absolutely."
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) June 28, 2023
Cohen said he would give it to us straight, and it doesn’t get much more forward or emphatic than that. It was a press conference that left us wondering what the point of it all was. In the end, though, it does prove that neither Eppler nor Showalter is going anywhere.
Now, as far as how that decision has been received? Well…
https://t.co/BzGMvip9Xs pic.twitter.com/SRLlTDQeTf
— Brandon (@b_capone13) June 28, 2023
https://twitter.com/bruns0n_burner/status/1674151419140616193
— The King (@macthegoat69) June 28, 2023
Yeah he could have done without talking today. Obviously, he doesn’t want to win as much as he says he does. https://t.co/qOSiVkIeLY
— Alec Staneck (@astaneck12) June 28, 2023
Not all is well still in Flushing. Although, there were conflicting opinions.
Honestly, firing Buck at this stage would just give a bad look. Making the decision this close to the deadline is just a bit too late. Make the changes in the offseason https://t.co/01NOxIo2A0
— Spencer (@spk0027) June 28, 2023
Embracing the tank LFG
On a real note this is a good decision that’s he’s making https://t.co/hnUWg2u70a
— matt (@matt3465_) June 28, 2023
I like this. Quiets the insane level of chatter/uncertainty swirling around the team.
The players can play better.
Eppler can give Buck some more BP arms.
Buck can do a better job managing those arms.None of this is impossible. Maybe they'll make it happen. https://t.co/rMPvPYo0o7
— Metsistentialism (@NYMpurgatory) June 28, 2023
Buck should be the safest guy in the room not named Cohen. Guy is a magnificent manager. Jury is still out on Eppler either way. https://t.co/Wq6vxjiwZ8
— Randy Carlson (@rcandy24) June 28, 2023
The Mets have sputtered after a very busy offseason that saw them sign 2022 AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander. Cohen and the Mets have been big spenders, but after a 101-win campaign last season, things haven’t gone to plan. The 2023 Mets are a dismal 36-43. They are 16 games back of the first-place Atlanta Braves, who won on Thursday to improve to 53-27. So the team is 16.5 games behind the NL East-leading Braves at the moment.
Not hard to understand why there was much resentment. But in the case of the Mets, Cohen has emphasized he won’t be reactionary. He doubled down on that, saying he wanted to keep things stable to make the Mets look attractive to others.
Why isn't Steve Cohen on board with the idea of midseason firings? In part because he wants to attract the best and brightest talent to Queens, he says. Cohen understands that being reactionary could turn people off from wanting to work here.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 28, 2023
So as the Mets look to find their way, do not expect a change of leadership.
