Mets: Bobby Valentine could return to organization

Former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine could return to the organization in some capacity in 2022.

Are the Mets running a baseball team or a retirement home?

The Queens-based ball-club already hired 65-year-old Buck Showalter as their manager. Suddenly, they’re debating adding Valentine to their front office.

Showalter was a savvy hire, and should bring a level of respect and accountability to the Mets clubhouse that had been missing with Luis Rojas in charge. As for Valentine…well, why not?

The following is per the New York Post’s Mike Puma, a Mets beat writer:

"“Bobby Valentine remains on the Mets’ radar as a potential special assistant in the front office. The 71-year-old Valentine recently retired from Sacred Heart University, where he served as the athletic director for eight years. Valentine, who managed the Rangers, Mets and Red Sox, has been largely removed from MLB since 2012. Last year he lost in a bid to become mayor of his hometown, Stamford, Conn. It’s unclear, however, to what degree Valentine would want to be involved if he returns to baseball.”"

What do Mets have to gain with Bobby Valentine?

What better way to come back from a failed mayoral bid? New York Mets front office member has a better ring to it, anyway.

Valentine had plenty of sustained success with the Mets in the early 2000’s, as he led New York to the Fall Classic. Since then, though, has been an utter failure. His most recent dugout return came with the Boston Red Sox in 2012, and that ended horribly.

For the Mets’ sake, let’s hope he can’t do too much harm as a special assistant.