Mike Shildt linked to New York Mets’ managerial opening

Former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has been linked to the New York Mets’ managerial opening.

It was widely assumed that Mike Shildt would get another managerial job, perhaps rather quickly, following his abrupt firing from the St. Louis Cardinals.

That has been the furthest thing from the case, with little buzz about Shildt’s future since the firing. He has done some media appearances, most recently telling MLB Network that “There is some pain I’ve got to work through and I’m doing that. I’m a spiritual guy, faith-based. God didn’t want me to be there anymore and he’s gonna put me in a place where he wants me and I trust that.”

Based on those comments, Shildt appears to want another managerial job. He just may not be ready for it, which could explain the lack of buzz surrounding his future.

Still, Shildt has been loosely linked to the New York Mets’ managerial opening by Jon Heyman of MLB Network and Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated. It appears to be nothing more than speculation rather than a firm report, but even then, reports indicate that Buck Showalter, Brad Ausmus and Joe Espada are the current favorites for the Mets opening.

Which would leave the Oakland A’s as the only managerial opening. And after losing Bob Melvin, combined with a significant sell-off expected after the lockout ends, it’s one of the least desirable positions in baseball. So unless Shildt is comfortable accepting a bench coach position, or something along those lines, he may be sitting out the 2022 regular season.

It would be a significant fall for Shildt, who finished third in the National League manager of the year voting. But it’s an increasingly real scenario — and based on his comments on MLB Network, may actually be a good thing as he continues to cope with his unexpected firing in St. Louis.