Terry Collins Not Expected to be Back With Mets in 2018

The New York Mets record in the 2017 season is currently 55-71. The season hasn't gone as planned. Injuries are one of the main reasons why they are horrendous, but sometimes Collins can make some boneheaded decisions. Yes, Collins has had to manage a crap shoot of a team at times this season, but I don't know if Collins wants to deal with this anymore. Collins has been with the Mets since 2011.

He did lead the Mets to the World Series in 2015 but they lost to the Kansas City Royals in five games and they made the playoffs last season, but they lost the wild card game to the San Francisco Giants. Collins's contract is up at the end of the season. He signed a two-year contract extension after the 2015 season.

According to Jon Heyman of FanRagSports, no one is really saying a word but people around the team all assume no way he will be back for the 2018 season and whether that it is his decision or the team's.

If Collins doesn't return, who should the next Mets Manager be? Here are my top 5 candidates:

5. Paul Lo Duca: He was a catcher with the New York Mets in 2006 and 2007. Lo Duca one time gave Matt Harvey criticism about his suspension. Lo Duca would be the loud alpha male the Mets need in there clubhouse and he wouldn't have any favoritism towards any player.

4. Clint Hurdle: His contract his is up at the end of the season and the Pittsburgh Pirates could very well not resign him. If that's the case, this could be a good fit for both teams. The past couple of seasons, the Pirates got older and he didn't have much to work with. Hurdle could work with a younger roster and also have the plethora of pitching in New York that Hurdle wished he had in Pittsburgh.

3. David Wright: David Wright has been the heart and soul of the New York Mets for a very long time. He has had a case of bad injuries throughout his career that has forced him to miss so much time. Wright is currently rehabbing. If Wright decided to retire and the Mets made him manager, he would bring a fun and relaxed attitude to the team. Wright would also be good at showing this team the fundamentals of the game. If there is a positive attitude in the clubhouse, that means the Mets are having fun and winning ball games.

2. Jared Sandberg: He has been coaching in the Tampa Bay Rays minor league system ever since the 2009 season. Sandberg managed the Princeton Rays in 2009. He managed the Hudson Valley Renegades from 2010-2012. Sandberg won the New York-Penn League in 2012 with a 52-24 record. He managed the Bowling Green Hot Rods in 2013. They lost in the first-round of the playoffs with a 82-56 record. Sandberg managed the Charlotte Stone Crabs in 2014. Ever since 2015, he has managed with the Durham Bulls. He didn't make the playoffs the past two seasons, but led them to the 2017 International League South Division title. Sandberg would be a good manager for the Mets because he seems to get the most out of his players and bring a different approach to the game compared to Collins.

1. Al Pedrique: Pedrique actually played in five games with the Mets in 1987, until he finished the season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. At 57 years old, Pedrique has a sharp vision for the game of baseball. He believes in small ball and letting the power come to the players. Pedrique also has his players play for one another and that is the vital piece the Mets are missing. Pedrique has made some no name players into legitimate prospects. He has managed in the Yankees farm system ever since 2013. Pedrique hasn't had a season where his team was below .500. In 2013 with the Charleston RiverDogs, his record was 75-63. In 2014 with the Tampa Yankees, his record was 71-68. In 2015 with the Trenton Thunder, his record was 71-71. Last season, he managed the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders to a 91-52 record and a Triple-A Championship. They are in first place in the International League again this season with currently a 81-49 record. Pedrique has a chance to lead them to back-to-back titles. He will be a hot name in the offseason for teams that are trying to find a new manager.