MLB

Backman one of four getting second interview with Mets

ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s a Final Four bracket with a pair of No. 1 seeds and two Cinderellas.

The Mets’ managerial hunt entered the home stretch last night with Terry Collins, Bob Melvin, Chip Hale and Wally Backman as the final candidates, according to assistant general manager John Ricco, in a search that began two weeks ago.

The finalists will receive second interviews by GM Sandy Alderson and his staff, likely beginning today at the GM Meetings. The interview process should be completed by the end of the week, with a decision likely coming next week.

“It’s very possible we’ll have a manager announced by Thanksgiving,” Alderson said after spending the afternoon huddled with his chief lieutenants, Ricco, Paul DePodesta and J.P. Ricciardi.

Collins and Melvin were considered slam dunks to receive callback interviews and Hale’s chances seemed strong based on the impression he made on Alderson during their first meeting. It was unclear until the end if the people’s choice, Backman, would get another interview.

Based on previous major league managerial experience — something Alderson clearly values — Collins and Melvin are the co-frontrunners for the job. It could come down to whether Alderson is most enamored with Collins’ hard-nosed style or Melvin’s heady approach to the game.

Alderson yesterday notified the candidates who won’t be called back. It was a list that included Red Sox coach DeMarlo Hale, former Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu, Mets Triple-A manager Ken Oberkfell, Mets bench coach Dave Jauss and Cardinals coach Jose Oquendo. In addition, former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle accepted an offer earlier this week to manage the Pirates.

Alderson said all of the final candidates are on equal footing. The GM plans to have Ricco, DePodesta and Ricciardi participate in the next round of interviews. Team COO Jeff Wilpon may also join the discussions, which are expected to focus on managerial strategy and potential changes to the coaching staff.

“The field is wide open,” Alderson said. “Some of these candidates only met with me, so they really haven’t had a chance to talk with J.P., Paul or John, and [assistant GM] Wayne Krivsky was involved in some interviews. Certainly it’s not a foregone conclusion or we wouldn’t be wasting our time with the number of candidates. It’s open.”

The GM meetings conclude tomorrow, but Alderson said it’s possible his crew would stay behind for an extra day, if needed, to complete the callback interviews. But Alderson said there is a good chance all the discussions will be complete by tomorrow.

* Alderson has no illusions that Johan Santana will be ready for Opening Day. The lefty is coming off surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.

“Really the question is, when exactly will he be ready?” Alderson said. “Nobody has told us he’ll miss the season or anything of that sort, but certainly we have to assume he won’t start the season.”

* Though Alderson is focused on the managerial search, he has contemplated the 40-man roster. Alderson wasn’t about to anoint Josh Thole as the Opening Day catcher, but only because of unfamiliarity with the rookie.

“We’re looking for more catching help and it would be a little bit premature for me to judge about [Thole’s] ability, never having actually seen him play, so I’ll reserve that judgment,” Alderson said. “We’re thin there, both at the major league level and Triple-A. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Josh, so I expect he’s going to be an important piece for us.”