Where will the Buck stop?
The 2023 Mets have been one of baseball's bigger disappointments. A record-setting payroll, a few big-ticket signings and a burgeoning core set up World Series-or-bust expectations, but it all seems to be leaning more toward "bust" than "World Series" as the season inches closer to the All-Star break.
As is the case with underachieving teams, much of the blame falls on the bench boss. While Buck Showalter was lauded as a smart managerial hire for the Mets, the 2023 results haven't matched what his team was able to do in 2022. Floundering below .500, the Mets are far behind their 101-win pace from last year and feature both a bottom-of-the-barrel offense and poor pitching staff.
That is a disastrous recipe for a team that boasts MLB's highest payroll. While there's plenty of blame to go around for the failures of the 2023 Mets, the business of baseball typically dictates that the manager is first to go.
MORE: How to watch the 2023 Mets without cable
Here's the latest on Showalter's job status with the Mets:
Will the Mets fire Buck Showalter?
Despite the pleas from vocal members of the fan base, Showalter's job status seems intact entering the All-Star break, and that comes straight from the top.
Team owner Steve Cohen told reporters on June 28 that he will not be firing Showalter or general manager Billy Eppler despite the team's underachievement.
His comments during a pre-game press conference echoed what he said in late May about not wanting to overreact out of frustration.
"When things get really bad, I'm not going to blow up. I don't think that's the proper response. I don't think it solves anything, other than it gives people a one-day story," Cohen said at the time. "But it doesn't really solve anything.
"There's plenty of blame to go around from a performance point of view. So blowing up, I'm not sure it solves anything. It would demonstrate, 'Oh, he really cares. He's one of us.' But the reality is it's not going to solve our problems. And I think in some ways it can be demotivating."
After the Mets' June 25 debacle against the Phillies, there was no word or whisper out of Queens that Showalter's job was on the line. Cohen set the record straight three days later.
So, while things can change in a New York minute, Showalter's job appears to be safe — for now.
Buck Showalter record
Across 22 years of managing with five different teams, Showalter has amassed a 1,687-1,621 record. His 1,687 wins are 19th-most in MLB history and fourth among active managers, behind Dusty Baker (2,135), Bruce Bochy (2,050) and Terry Francona (1,911).
Showalter has helped lead teams to the playoffs six times, with two division crowns (not counting the 1994 strike-shortened season).
| Year | Team | Record | Division finish | Playoffs |
| 1992 | New York Yankees | 76-86 | Fourth | — |
| 1993 | New York Yankees | 88-74 | Second | — |
| 1994 | New York Yankees | 70-43 | First | — |
| 1995 | New York Yankees | 79-65-1 | Second | Lost AL divisional round |
| 1998 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 65-97 | Fifth | — |
| 1999 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 100-62 | First | Lost NL divisional round |
| 2000 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 85-77 | Third | — |
| 2003 | Texas Rangers | 71-91 | Fourth | — |
| 2004 | Texas Rangers | 89-73 | Third | — |
| 2005 | Texas Rangers | 79-83 | Third | — |
| 2006 | Texas Rangers | 80-82 | Third | — |
| 2010 | Baltimore Orioles | 34-23 | Fifth | — |
| 2011 | Baltimore Orioles | 69-93 | Fifth | — |
| 2012 | Baltimore Orioles | 93-69 | Second | Lost AL divisional round |
| 2013 | Baltimore Orioles | 85-77 | Third | — |
| 2014 | Baltimore Orioles | 96-66 | First | Lost ALCS |
| 2015 | Baltimore Orioles | 81-61 | Third | — |
| 2016 | Baltimore Orioles | 89-73 | Second | Lost AL wild card game |
| 2017 | Baltimore Orioles | 75-87 | Fifth | — |
| 2018 | Baltimore Orioles | 47-115 | Fifth | — |
| 2022 | New York Mets | 101-61 | Second | Lost NL wild card round |
| 2023 | New York Mets | 35-43 | Fourth | — |
Has Buck Showalter won a World Series?
As a manager, Showalter has garnered plenty of accolades (four-time Manager of the Year among them) and has helped guide teams to October six times, but he has yet to hoist the Commissioner's Trophy.
Showalter teams have a 10-16 record in the postseason across four appearances. His teams have advanced to the league championship series just once, in 2014, where the Orioles were swept by the Royals. His teams have won a playoff series just that once, in 2014.