As talks with Jerry Manuel take longer than may have been expected, a familiar name has arisen — again — in connection with the Mets’ manager’s job: Bobby Valentine.
ESPN 1050 Radio reports today that Valentine “would love to be [with the Mets] in the next decade.”
Valentine, now manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, told 1050’s Andrew Marchand in an e-mail, “I am working for a team that needs me and wants me as their man. I love it here, but I am an American and love great challenges. I was in a Met uniform in the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000, and would love to be there in the next decade.”
Mets GM Omar Minaya admitted yesterday talks are going slowly with Manuel on lifting his interim tag. The Mets have offered the popular skipper a two-year contract worth roughly $2 million, but he has yet to sign it.
Minaya said the Mets, at least for the moment, don’t have anyone other than Manuel in mind as manager and remain optimistic the two sides will come to terms.
“Right now, we’re focusing on hopefully getting Jerry on board,” Minaya said. “We’ll continue to work with that. My hope is that we’re able to get that done.”
Valentine managed the Mets from 1996-2002, leading them to the 2000 World Series. His record was 536-467 (.534).
His name was not mentioned during the closing ceremony for Shea Stadium on Sunday.
ESPN says Valentine reportedly makes $4 million annually managing in Japan, the second highest-paid manager in professional baseball behind the Dodgers’ Joe Torre.
Valentine worked for ESPN for one season before joining Chiba Lotte, which he led to the Japan Series championship in 2005.
With Bart Hubbuch; ESPN.com