MET NOTES
MONTREAL – He’s a seven-time All-Star who is well-respected, enjoyed playing success in New York and just completed his first season as a minor-league manager.
So how about Tim Raines as a Met coach next season?
The Mets, in addition to having a new manager next year, are almost certain to have an entirely new coaching staff, with the exception of pitching coach Rick Peterson. Speaking generally and not about the Mets in particular, Raines admitted yesterday that he’d like to coach in the majors.
“I’m interested in a major-league coaching job, most definitely,” Raines said. “To me, coaching’s like managing in the minor leagues. I think most minor-league coaches want to be major-league coaches and most minor-league managers want to be major-league managers.”
If that’s the case, consider Raines the rare exception. He just wrapped up a season as manager of the Brevard County Manatees, the Expos’ high-A ball team, but harbors no desire right now to manage in the majors right now.
Raines, who just turned 45 years old and joined the Expos as a coach for the remainder of the season yesterday, said his first choice would be to stay with the destination-unknown Expos, “no matter where they are.” But if the Expos don’t have a job for him, who knows? He believes he could serve as a major-league coach in several different capacities.
“I’m versatile,” Raines said. “Hitting coach, outfield coach, first base, third base. Baserunning. I think managing [in the minors] helps . . . You’re pretty much dealing with everything.”
Raines played with the Yankees from 1996-98, hitting .299 and being part of two championship teams. For his 23-year career, the switch-hitter hit .295 with 170 homers and 808 stolen bases.
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Art Howe, on whether he’ll say anything to his team to try to emphasize not finishing in the cellar: “I don’t think so. I don’t think you give Knute Rockne speeches to stay out of last place.”
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Cliff Floyd (strained right lat) sat out last night. Eric Valent played left field . . . Jose Reyes worked out yesterday, doing some running, and felt good. Howe said in a “good-case scenario,” both Reyes and Kaz Matsuicould potentially return this weekend.