Mets hitting coach Kevin Long and Mariners third base coach Manny Acta are the current frontrunners to be manage of the Mets, according to a report Friday afternoon by the NY Post's Joel Sherman.

If this is accurate, I hope Long gets the job. 

According to Sherman, the Mets hope to make a final decision before the start of the World Series, which begins Tuesday, Oct. 24.

The Mets are expected to choose their new manager soon -- perhaps as early as this weekend -- reports Joel Sherman of the NY Post, who says the team wants to make an announcement before the World Series starts on Tuesday.

Mets hitting coach Kevin Long and Mariners third base coach Manny Acta are the frontrunners for the job, according to Sherman. The Mets interviewed Long and Acta within the last week.

Today's updates...

• Kevin Long and Manny Acta are frontrunners to manage the Mets (Sherman, NYP).
• The Mets wants to make an announcement before next Tuesday (Sherman, NYP).
• Dusty Baker will not return to manage the Nationals, the team announced.

Previous reports...

• Alex Cora is expected to end up managing the Red Sox (NBC Sports Boston).
• Long has been considered the favorite in New York since last week (Klapisch, Record).

In addition to Long and Acta, the Mets have interviewed Joe McEwing, Mickey Callaway and Cora. They may still be considering Sandy Alomar, Jr. (Puma, NYP). Brad Ausmus declined to interview (Heyman, FanRag) and Bob Geren, Robin Ventura and Chip Hale are no longer in the running.

The Mets will pick up LH reliever Jerry Blevins' $7 million option for the 2018 season, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

"I would love to come back to New York," Blevins recently told MMO's Matthew Brownstein. "I feel like we have a lot to prove and I think we'll play that underdog role a lot better than we do playing the favorites. Everybody kind of needs a chip on their shoulder. ... I hope to be a part of it."

Blevins, 34, had a 2.94 ERA (3.12 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP with 69 strikeouts in 49.0 innings (75 games) this past season.

He has a 2.72 ERA (3.01 FIP) and 1.22 WHIP with 125 strikeouts in 96.0 innings (155 games) for the Mets from 2015-2017.

In this week's Meet the MetsCast, MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone, comedian Steve Hofstetter, and SiriusXM's Rob Brender break down Sandy Alderson's search for a new manager, after which they discuss raiding the Marlins and joy and pain of rooting for Justin Turner...

To listen to the show, click play below or use this link to download...

Dusty Baker is out as manager of the Nationals, the team announced on Friday.

"The contracts for the Major League coaching staff have also expired," the team said in a statement. "The Nationals' search for a new manager will begin immediately, and we will work with that person to build his coaching staff."

Baker, 68, served as manager from 2016 to 2017, with the Nationals being eliminated in the NLDS both seasons.

Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter | 

The Mets have started conducting their managerial interviews. Here is a look at the names that are in the mix...

Kevin Long, Mets hitting coach

The 50-year-old Long, who expressed his interest in the job to Alderson, does not have any big league managerial experience. He was the hitting coach for the Yankees from 2007 to 2014, before taking the same role with the Mets prior to the 2015 season. He is returning to the Mets in 2018, but it isn't yet known what his role will be.

The Mets may still interview Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr., as the team continues its search for a new manager, Mike Puma of the NY Post tweeted Thursday afternoon.

Alomar, 51, began his coaching career as a catching instructor for the Mets in 2008. He joined Cleveland's coaching staff in 2009 and was reportedly a finalist to manage the Blue Jays in 2011.

He was interim manager of the Indians for six games in 2012 after the team fired Manny Acta, who the Mets reportedly interviewed earlier this week.

In addition to the Mets, the Red Sox are also actively searching for a new manager and may only be considering three candidates.

According to local and national reports, Astros bench coach Alex Cora is considered the frontrunner.

The Sox reportedly interviewed Cora and former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus this past weekend in New York. They interviewed D-backs bench coach and former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire earlier today, according to the Boston Herald.

Before making a final decision, Boston is expected to conduct a second round of interviews, NBCSports.com's Evan Drellich tweeted earlier this week.

Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa announced Wednesday that he is stepping down from his front office position with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He is already receiving calls from interested organizations that would like to work with him, La Russa told reporters at a press conference in Arizona.

"The Diamondbacks are in great hands." However, he added, "It's time to move on."

Sandy Alderson hired La Russa to manage the A's in 1983. Alderson, as the team's GM, was also responsible for firing La Russa roughly a decade later. The duo won nearly 800 games, three pennants, and one World Championship together in Oakland. So, when hearing about La Russa leaving Arizona, and knowing the Mets are in a bit of a leadership transition, my first thought was wondering if these two have interest in reconnecting...

Manny Acta interviewed for the Mets' managerial opening on Tuesday and is considered a "serious candidate" for the job, a source told Mike Puma of the NY Post.

"He is going to walk in the interview and kick [butt], because he is smart," another source told Puma. "He knows analytics, he understands scouting and he's old school. He's organized, prepared, works well with the coaching staff and front office."

However, the same source said Acta "can't handle controversy," and questioned whether he's cut out to be a manager in New York.

In an article for the NY Post, Joel Sherman argues that Sandy Alderson should aim to sign 3B Todd Frazier, who is set to become a free agent at the end of this season.

In 66 regular season games after being acquired by the Yankees this season, Frazier hit just .222, but had a .365 OBP with 11 HR and 32 RBI. He had 16 home runs with the White Sox before the trade, prior to which he hit just .207. Frazier hit .235/.316/.294 in the Yankees' five-game ALDS victory over the Indians, but is hitting .333/.385/.667 so far in the ALCS against the Astros.

According to his former manager with the Reds, Bryan Price, Frazier's value to a team has as much to do with what he brings off field as it does with what he can do between the lines.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said it's "constitutionally impossible" for him to root for the Yankees, who are even with the Astros at two games apiece in the ALCS. De Blasio, who is a die-hard Red Sox fan, explained his reasoning to the the NY Daily News.

"The truth is called for in editorial board meetings," de Blasio said. "I am a crazed, rabid baseball fan and Red Sox fan. It is constitutionally impossible to quote unquote root for the New York Yankees."

Michelle Ioannou, MetsBlog | Twitter | Not that Bill de Blasio is a Mets fan, but this is a statement most Mets fans can get on board with. As Mets fans, can you root for the Yankees? There may be a handful that can, but the majority -- at least who I know -- would never. I know I never could root for the Yankees, and I've lived in NYC my entire life.

For a team whose pitching staff collapsed as epically as the Mets' did in 2017, it makes sense to consider bringing in a manager with pitching expertise. And after helping the Indians put together one of the best group of arms in baseball, that's one metric Mickey Callaway might very well lead the league in.

Since taking on the role of pitching coach in Cleveland in 2013, the pitching staff there made a complete 180. After posting a major league worst ERA in 2012, the Indians have led the American League in ERA every year since then and have put up MLB-best numbers in strikeouts and wins above replacement.

Under Callaway's tutelage, they have developed stars in Danny Salazar, Carlos Carrasco, and Corey Kluber, who may be looking at his second Cy Young Award this year. In many ways, the Indians have reached the heights of pitching that the Mets were expected to, and Callaway receives a lot of the credit. It's also noteworthy that, despite throwing hard, they have generally stayed healthy...

The Mets have removed former White Sox manager Robin Ventura from consideration for their managerial opening after he revealed he is not interested in managing, according to the NY Post.

"I'm not pursuing any of the openings," Ventura told the Post by text message.

The Mets are not considering Bob Geren or Chip Hale as candidates for their managerial opening, reports Marc Carig of Newsday, citing sources.

The parade of Mets managerial candidates has included a number of familiar faces, but perhaps none more familiar than Joe McEwing, who spent five years in Queens as a bench player.

While fans' affection for McEwing often outpaced his skill on the field, he has spent the years since his 2008 retirement in a variety of coaching roles with the White Sox organization, and his good reputation has earned him an interview with the Mets this week.

McEwing was in many ways the quintessential utility player. In his five seasons with the Mets, "Super Joe" saw time at every position except pitcher and catcher. He eked out a league average batting line in only one season, but was a solid defender and was beloved by fans and teammates alike for his scrappy play and positive attitude. Prior to his release early in 2005, he had served as something of a mentor to a young David Wright, who raved about his character and bemoaned the loss of his friend and teacher...

Robin Ventura's hit his walkoff "Grand Slam Single" against the Braves in Game 5 of the NLCS at Shea Stadium on today's date in 1999.

His teammates mobbed Ventura at second base, resulting in the home run counting as a single and the Mets winning, 4-3 to force the series back to Atlanta for Game 6.

Click below for the video

Marlins owners Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman will try this winter to cut the team's payroll by as much as $65 million, a source recently told Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

Jeter, Sherman, and their ownership group recently agreed to pay $1.2 billion to buy the Marlins, who are expected to lose roughly $50 million in revenue next year, Spencer reports.

"They told us that they're prepared to dump," a rival executive recently told B/R's Scott Miller. "They're working on it and talking to clubs."

The Brewers ended 2017 with the lowest payroll at roughly $85 million, according to Spotrac.

Michael Conforto is doing well and experiencing no set backs during his recovery from shoulder surgery, agent Scott Boras said Monday, according to the NY Post's Kevin Kernan.

In late September, Conforto told reporters that he expects to return to baseball activities next March, at which point the surgically repaired posterior capsule in his right shoulder will be fully healed.

"It's not a set deadline," he added. "When I see the doctor again in a couple of weeks, we'll see where I'm at, see where my range of motion is, see where the strength is and kind of go from there."

Mets hitting coach Kevin Long is reportedly considered the favorite to become the franchise's next manager, according to the Bergen Record's Bob Klapisch.

The Mets already interviewed Long, who has been the team's hitting coach for the past three seasons, and plan to conduct interviews with several other candidates throughout the week.

They will interview Astros bench coach Alex Cora on Tuesday and Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway on Wednesday. Mariners third base coach Manny Acta will interview with the team later this week, and former Mets infielder Joe McEwing also plans to interview with New York.

The Mets will interview Cleveland Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway on Wednesday, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma.

Callaway is one of several candidates on GM Sandy Alderson's list of possible replacements for Terry Collins, including Alex Cora, Bob Geren, Manny Acta, Chip Hale, Kevin Long, Joe McEwing and Sandy Alomar Jr.

The Mets have already interviewed Long, will interview Cora on Tuesday and will interview Acta later this week. McEwing plans to interview with New York later this week as well.

Former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus declined to interview for the Mets' managerial job, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

In their search to find a new manager, the Mets talked at least once with Ausmus, Heyman reported last week.

Ausmus interviewed for the Red Sox' managerial opening on Monday, reports Chad Jennings of the Boston Herald. The Phillies are also reportedly interested in Ausmus.

Mets infield prospect Luis Guillorme was drafted by the Mets in 2013, prior to which he was already considered an outstanding fielder.

This year during the Arizona Fall League, which started last week, Guillorme hopes to put the spotlight on his hitting, he recently told Baseball American's Josh Norris.

"The main thing is being consistent with my swing," he told Norris. "I'm trying to drive the ball... be a little quieter with my body and my hands and making sure the hands come through before the body does. That's the main thing I've been working on since the season ended."

In two games during the AFL, Guillorme has four hits during eight at bats. He has struck out once.

Legendary Mets pitcher and Hall of Famer Tom Seaver's home and vineyards are fine after being threatened by the California wildfires.

Seaver was forced to flee his home in Calistoga, California last Wednesday due to the wildfires.

"We literally ran like hell," Seaver told the NY Daily News on Monday.

Justin Turner hit a game-winning, three-run homer against the Cubs in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the NLCS on Sunday night in Los Angeles as the Dodgers moved within two wins of their first World Series appearance since 1988.

Turner's home run was the first walkoff hit by a Dodger in the postseason since Kirk Gibson's walkoff homer against Dennis Eckersley and the A's in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

Matthew Cerrone (Twitter | Instagram | About Me): Sandy Alderson's biggest mistakes since taking over as GM continue to be watching Daniel Murphy sign with the Nationals and non-tendering Turner...

For more of The Amazin' Life presented by Coca-Cola, CLICK HERE.

Astros bench coach Alex Cora will interview with the Mets this week, according to Newsday's Marc Carig, and is expected to meet with the Red Sox to interview for their managerial vacancy, according to The Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy. 

While Cora is also reportedly drawing interest from the Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers, he is considered Boston's top managerial candidate, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

A 14-year MLB veteran, Cora has been a GM and manager in the Puerto Rican Winter League and served as the country's GM in the World Baseball Classic this spring. He interviewed for several managerial positions last winter, but ultimately joined Houston's coaching staff last November.

Dodgers outfielder and former Met Curtis Granderson believes Mets' hitting coach Kevin Long has what it takes to succeed in a managerial role. 

Long recently interviewed for the Mets' manager position on Friday as the team continues to look for Terry Collins' successor. Among the wide array of candidates are Brad Ausmus, Alex Cora, Robin Ventura, and Joe McEwing to name a few. 

Granderson, though, feels that Long can make an impact in the manager role despite his lack of experience...

The Mets plan to interview Joe McEwing for their open managerial position within the next few days, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post. 

MLB.com reported earlier this month that the Tigers were interested in McEwing filling their managerial vacancy.

McEwing, who has no big league managerial experience, has coached with the White Sox since the 2012 season. A former Met, McEwing became the hitting coach for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights in 2008. One season later, he was named Manager of the Year for his work with the Class-A Winston-Salem Dash in the South Atlantic League. In 2011, he came back to Charlotte to manage the club. 

The Mets interviewed Kevin Long for their managerial opening on Friday, reports Mike Puma of the NY Post.

The 50-year-old Long, who expressed his interest in the job to Mets GM Sandy Alderson, does not have any big league managerial experience. He was the hitting coach for the Yankees from 2007 to 2014, before taking the same role with the Mets prior to the 2015 season. He is returning to the Mets in 2018, but it isn't yet known what his role will be.

The Mets recently began conducting their managerial interviews. The opening with the Red Sox and questions surrounding Yankees manager Joe Girardi are expected to impact their search, which you can read more about here...

In addition to Long, Alderson's reported list of potential candidates also includes Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway, former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, former Mets players Robin Ventura, Joe McEwing, Sandy Alomar Jr., Alex Cora, and former coaches Bob Geren and Chip Hale >> To learn more about each reported candidate, click here.

Michelle Ioannou, MetsBlog | Twitter | Saying that Mets fans were happy to see the Nationals lose is an understatement. The thought alone of both the Yankees and Nats going on to the LCS drove Mets fans to the brink of despair, and the relief that this didn't become a reality is a common feeling amongst Mets fans.

Naturally, Mets fans didn't fail when providing their reactions to the Nationals losing. It was a beautiful thing to be in the midst of on Twitter right after Bryce Harper struck out for the final out of Game 5, or in my case, a beautiful thing to wake up to, as I'm currently writing this while out of the country.

Click below for a glimpse at some of the gems...

Mets 3B David Wright recently underwent a laminotomy procedure in Los Angeles to help reduce pain in his lower back, the team announced in early October.

The minimally invasive procedure, which is designed to relieve pressure on a compressed nerve, should greatly reduce his pain and improve his chances of getting back on field, Dr. Andrew Hecht recently told Abbey Mastracco of NJ.com.

According to Hecht, an orthopedic surgeon and chief of spine surgery for the Mount Sinai Health System, what Wright had done is a straightforward procedure and has a high success rate.

"We see this quite a bit in athletes and many of them have no symptoms at all, but occasionally you see someone symptomatic, like David Wright," Dr. Hecht explained to Mastracco. "Sometimes, despite all of the best efforts of the greatest doctors, somebody doesn't get better with conservative treatment," and surgery is needed.

The Mets have started interviewing candidates to be their next manager, a source with knowledge of the process recently told Newsday's Marc Carig.

In the days before and after the season, I'm told Mets GM Sandy Alderson and his staff internally reviewed a list of up to 15 potential candidates.

My understanding is, after pre-screening each person, talking about them with people outside the organization and gauging interest, that list has been whittled down to between six and 10 viable options, all of whom will have been formally interviewed before the end of next week.

Top catching prospect Tomas Nido, infield prospect Luis Guillorme, and knuckleballer Mickey Jannis are among the Mets players participating in the Arizona Fall League.

The full list of Mets players participating -- all with the Scottsdale Scorpions -- can be viewed here.

The 23-year-old Nido, who made his Mets debut this season, has gone 2-for-7 with a homer in two AFL games.

The Mets are showing interest in Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway as a candidate for their managerial opening, sources told Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Callaway is also receiving interest from the Phillies, who he will interview with for their managerial opening, according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com.

The 42-year-old Callaway became the Indians' pitching coach in 2013 in what was his first major league coaching job. Before moving into that role, he was the team's minor league coordinator.