There is speculation among fans and media that Terry Collins wanted one guy to be his bench coach, the front office wanted someone else, Ownership wanted another, and so on. But, in talking with people close to the team, I don’t get that sense at all.

In fact, it sounds to me like – though they were all very open minded towards the outcome, in terms of who to hire – both Collins and Sandy Alderson were looking for someone Focused, Prepared and Analytical, who is a Team Player (i.e., not a big ego), and has Experience Managing a Big League Team. I am sure they all suggested people who should be interviewed. For instance, I’m guessing Collins initiated Jim Riggleman (and hoped for Larry Bowa); I bet Alderson brought in Geren; and I’m sure someone from Ownership recommended Tim Teufel, and probably Dave Jauss. There were likely others on the list. However, knowing what they were looking for, and after conducting the interviews, and after talking to people close to the team and others familiar with the candidates, it sounds to me like they split the difference with Geren.

The way I understand it, the Mets feel Geren has the necessary experience, systematic approach and dedication to game preparation needed to replace Chip Hale. Also, I talked to people this weekend who are familiar with Geren’s time in the big leagues, and they all said he is very serious about baseball; he believes in a team having a hierarchy; and that players should know their roles and be disciplined in doing their job. And so, while there are players who this will rub the wrong way (like in certain circumstances in Oakland, it seems), it is consistent with Collins and what the Mets are trying to build. Also like Collins, they say he has a positive personality (which was not historically the case with other people interviewed for the bench coach job). What’s more, Geren is familiar with New York (having played four seasons with the Yankees in the early 90s). Lastly, he’s said to be a very good catching instructor.

In the end, he strikes me as one of these baseball guys who is more cut out to be a coach than a manager. Here, based on how he’s been described to me, it sounds like he’s best suited being Terry’s top lieutenant; where he can be charged with keeping people focused and on the same page; where he can work with catchers in Spring Training; and help organize game preparation for players and coaches throughout the season.