It's A Tie: Alderson Leaning Towards Hiring All Four Candidates As Next Mets Manager

The interview process has been an arduous one. After paring the list down to four candidates it seemed assured that within days the Mets family would finally know who their leader would be in the dugout.

But when push came to shove all four principles voted a different way. Paul DePodesta insisted that Terry Collins was still his man. He wanted to hire him once and still thinks he's the best man for the job. Jeff Wilpon harkens back to a better Mets era and wants to bring in the fans' favorite, Wally Backman. Alderson himself likes the calming influence of "Vanilla" Bob Melvin (and while Joel Sherman of the NY Post hung that moniker on Melvin, the GM looks at him as more like Mint Chocolate Chip). And finally, mostly because no one else has taken him, J.P. Ricciardi has voted for Chip Hale.

During a silver level press conference, Alderson told reporters that his inclination was to give Melvin the job and ignore the other votes. But in the end he felt that the team needed a new direction and what could be newer and more innovative than having four managers? It was brought up in the press briefing that this kind of thing did not work out well when the Chicago Cubs tried it decades ago.

Alderson did say, "That was totally different. The Cubs were using coaches while the Mets will have four managers all with different areas they will take responsibility for. Kind of like Voltron!"

He then released to the press a spreadsheet that lays out precisely what part of managing each Mets manager will cover.

Alderson also stated, "You can't imagine how great these guys are in interviews. I could listen to all of them for hours. And, heck, we already did. It's just too hard to pick one and say 'You're our guy' and tell the others, 'Sorry, you lose'."

All articles featured on The Apple are fictitious. No Mets were harmed in the writing of this story. Today's story by Larry Smith & Randy Medina.  You can follow Larry Smith on twitter @dr4sight

Who Shot Jon Niese? Mystery Surrounds Mets Latest Injury

The Mets are calling Jon Niese's injury a hamstring issue.  Do you believe them?  Judging by the buzz flying around the internet you don't.  The Apple has found out the truth.

Thanks to a mole in the Mets medical staff, The Apple has learned that Jon Niese was actually felled by a low caliber bullet fired from an unknown assailant.  While early speculation centered around a member of Los Marlins or a disgruntled fan, the Mets have now focused their investigation on three suspects within or close to the Mets organization.

Suspect 1: Oliver Perez
Perez is the easy pick here.  Motivated by a desire to return to the rotation without actually having to pitch better, Ollie had a clear shot from the bullpen and could have very easily taken Neise down.  Additionally he could have done the deed anonymously because currently no one on or around the team even wants to look at him.

Suspect 2: Hisanori Takahashi
Why would someone who already has a spot on the rotation take out a fellow starter?  Fear.  Takahashi, who has become comfortable in the bullpen role is afraid of being exposed as a starter.  By taking out Niese, Takahashi could have been hoping that the Mets would be forced to go to him in relief and bring up someone else to start.

Suspect 3: Bob Melvin
Melvin's name has been the one most commonly brought up when the discussion turns to the next Mets manager.  Perhaps tired of waiting, Melvin decided to take a pro-active approach and hasten Manuel's departure.

The investigation is likely to drag on, and while these three are the prime suspects, there could be other names brought into the conversation before this mess is all over.

What's your opinion?  Do you have a theory we missed?  Leave us a comment.


All articles featured on The Apple are fictitious. No Mets were harmed in the writing of this story.