With so many management positions in the sport right now, it’s understandable that a big number of possible candidates’ names are coming up in those talks. While the 30 MLB manager positions are among the most sought in baseball, and simply being invited to interview for one is a huge honor, it doesn’t guarantee that everyone on a front office’s shortlist will be interested in the job. Former Padres manager Andy Green, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, has turned down “multiple managerial opportunities” to remain in his present post as a player development executive in the Mets’ front office.
It should be emphasized that it is unclear which teams approached Green or how serious those clubs were about their interest. Still, it’s fascinating to learn that Green was receiving interest from clubs and that he decided to stay in his present position with the Mets rather than pursue another round in the manager’s chair. After playing in the majors for four seasons, Green temporarily worked as Arizona’s third base instructor before becoming San Diego’s manager during the 2015-16 offseason.
Green managed the Padres for four seasons until being dismissed soon before the end of the 2019 season, eight games into what would be the club’s fourth straight 90-loss season. While Green was successful in getting young players like Manuel Margot, Chris Paddack, and Fernando Tatis Jr. into the majors, San Diego believed that the results on the field were not improving quickly enough under Green. It didn’t take long for him to find a new job, as he was promptly hired by the Cubs and freshly appointed manager David Ross to serve as Ross’ bench coach for the 2020 season.
Green remained in Chicago throughout Ross’s term as manager, but elected to leave after Ross was fired in favor of Craig Counsell. Green returned to Queens after leaving Chicago, where he made four appearances for the Mets in 2009. Green was recruited by David Stearns, the new president of baseball operations, in November 2023 for an unnamed “senior role” in player development. Green was eventually promoted to senior vice president, and he has worked in New York’s front office for the past two seasons, reporting to Stearns.
Green’s decision to decline the opportunity to return to the dugout demonstrates his satisfaction with his position in the Mets organization. It’s possible that the 48-year-old appreciates the move to a front office role and the freedom that comes with no longer having to travel with the team during the season, or that his player development skills are better suited for work behind the scenes than in the dugout.
Of course, this does not rule out the possibility of Green returning to the dugout in the future. Will Venable famously denied an interview with the Mets organization in order to remain as the Rangers’ associate manager, only to accept an offer to manage the White Sox the following year. Perhaps Green may rethink a return to the dugout if the perfect chance arises, but for the time being, he is willing to stay with the Mets, despite the fact that about a third of the league is searching for a change in the manager’s chair.