Laura Albanese: Can the Mets convince Andy Green to remain as manager?
Mets interim manager Andy Green at Citi Field on Sept. 5, 2026. Credit: Jim McIsaac
By most measures, it was a miserable game.
The Mets failed to play spoiler against the Phillies Sunday amid a gloomy, incessant drizzle. The stands were mostly empty due to the weather, a postponed Howie Rose retirement ceremony, the plodding pace of play, a ballooning deficit, and the general desolation that comes with the conclusion of a terrible season.
“We would have loved to honor him with a win or a 300th homer today or something that would be fun to call,” interim manager Andy Green said, speaking of Rose. “But we just wanted to show our respect.”
Green doesn’t take ownership of what happened after the final out: Him leading his team out of the dugout and out of their own doldrums to face the broadcast booth and tip their hat to a legend. Instead, he said the idea was communal.
But it’s hard not to see his fingerprints all over this. During the few short months in this thankless role, Green has consistently shown himself to be a leader. He understands the moment and, maybe most importantly to this young team, he understands how character is built — respect the game and it respects you back.
See, there was subtext to Sunday's gesture; it was a show that no matter how bad things get, it's still important to comport yourself correctly. It was also another indication of why the Mets should seriously fight to keep him in this role.
We know the deal by now: When Green was appointed successor, it was with the understanding that he would return to a front-office position when the season was over. Once a manager for the Padres, he spoke as if that chapter of his life was over.
His reasons were valid, even noble (mostly, he liked his job and he wants more time with his family). But that was also before he got another crack at this thing, and it turned out to be pretty much exactly what this team needed. Despite a gutted roster, a demoralized group, and one of the hardest strengths of schedule down the stretch, the Mets have still managed to go 37-38 during his tenure.
I understand that a .493 winning percentage isn't exactly setting anyone's hair on fire. I also understand that fans rightfully question how much anyone can prove as a lame duck manager operating in what is essentially garbage time.
Still, these things don’t negate the qualities Green has shown — qualities that have further endeared him to front-office officials and should shortlist him as manager if he shows even a glimmer of interest.
In a lot of ways, he checks every box. Veteran players respect him and young players listen to him. He’s got a keen emotional intelligence that allows him to navigate various types of egos — yes, even the ones in the media. He’s a baseball lifer who understands what it means to have one of the world’s weirdest jobs. He’s done this before, meaning he has the cache to respectfully push back against decisions he disagrees with. And pivotally, for a team that suffered from too much change, too quickly, he provides a level of stability and consistency that no one else would.
Though no one has said Green has changed his mind, Steve Cohen did leave the door ajar when he spoke to reporters last month, saying that the interim manager would be in the mix for the permanent role if he wanted to be. He also told the SNY broadcast this past weekend that he intended to “add certain voices in the front office” when it comes to evaluating talent.
Now, as the former senior vice president for player development, Green was certainly a front office executive, but his role was more limited to their minor-league talent. Having Green as manager, though, adds another voice to their major league operations. And yes, that’s yet another box ticked.
This isn’t just a thought experiment either, because Green made some interesting comments when asked about his future Sunday. And one thing has become very clear in the three months he’s been trotted out in front of the New York media: Green speaks with intention, but it's important to really listen.
So check out these responses:
1. He was asked to reflect on his tenure as Mets manager and whether it provided a sense of closure to his managerial career, considering his only other shot at the gig resulted in leading the Padres to four straight losing seasons.
“I’ve always loved this,” he said. “In 27 years of professional baseball, [I’ve spent] 24 of them in a uniform ... The dugout has always been home to me.”
He added: “As far as San Diego goes. I knew the assignment when I took it over. It was a tear down and a rebuild ... That was a tremendous learning opportunity for me in that point in time but I have, and continue to, love my time with this group of guys, being in the dugout and grinding.”
It's a curious contrast — the Padres and the 2026 Mets, especially because Green was also given a lost cause this year. It does make you wonder if there's an itch in the back of his brain that sees the potential here and asks what it would be like to helm a team that has every intention of winning next year.
2. He was then asked how his current job would inform his presumed future work in player development. Green, though, didn’t take the opportunity to confirm that’s where he was going.
“This has given me the opportunity to generate strong relationships with veteran players I didn’t have before,” he said. “It’s given me the opportunity to be a part of the other part of the journey with the young guys I’ve had in the minor leagues and I love being in the dugout with them and fighting to win a baseball game every day. I think just being fully present with the purpose you have at that moment is all anyone can do.”
Granted, this could be a reach, but that doesn’t necessarily sound like someone desperate to let go of the reins.
Could he actually be counting down the days until this is over? Sure. But if there’s any indication he’s changed his mind, the Mets would do very well to seize the opportunity.
He’s led them out of the dark once — literally and metaphorically guiding them up those dugout steps, miserable conditions be damned. You have to be at least intrigued by what he may accomplish in the light.
Hey, maybe he's curious, too.
Laura Albanese is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. She's been covering MLB since 2014 after starting at Newsday as an intern seven years earlier.
