Former Mets Star John Franco Interested In Coaching Team

The New York Mets have undergone some managerial shifts in recent weeks.

Mets new manager news

Terry Collins stepped down on Sunday after seven seasons in charge, and longtime pitching coach Dan Warthen and head trainer Ray Ramirez also parted ways with the franchise.

Collins has not left the Mets completely, however, as he will be serving as general manager Sandy Alderson’s special assistant.

Now, a former Met has emerged as a potential candidate to coach the Mets, whose bullpen has struggled in recent years.

John Franco, a 57-year-old former pitcher, has voiced a desire to manage the team.

Franco played 14 of his 20 major league seasons with the Mets (1990-2001, 2003-2004). His 1,119 career games pitched is an NL record, and he is ranked third in major league history with 424 career saves. Franco also played for the Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds. 

According to the New York Post, the candidates who could replace Warthen — who had been the Mets’ pitching coach since June 2008 — include Mets bullpen coach Ricky Bones and minor league pitching coordinator Ron Romanick. “The Mets could also consider external candidates such as former Royals pitching coach Dave Eiland and former Oakland pitching coach Curt Young. Jim Hickey, who stepped aside as Rays pitching coach Tuesday, could also be considered for the job,” the Post reported.

“We will be adding staff as well as replacing Ray,” Alderson said. “But there will be a reorganization that I think will provide us with more capacity as well as different organizational structure. With regard to Ray and the decision to reorganize, we felt it was going to be difficult to retain Ray.”

Alderson added that Collins will focus on player development in his new position. The GM noted the number of players the Mets promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas this season.

“I was disappointed with the performance of some of these players and their preparation for playing at the major league level,” Alderson said. “This is an area I think Terry can be very helpful, so I expect that a good part of his time will be spent in the area of player development.”

Anderson also said hitting coach Kevin Long is expected to return, and that third-base coach Glenn Sherlock is under contract for next season.

NEW YORK – MAY 21: John Franco, former pitcher of the New York Mets, throws out the first pitch to former Met, Mike Piazza before the game against the New York Yankees on May 21, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)