ORLANDO, Fla. — Bob Melvin, in his own understated way, wants to open the door to the Mets’ clubhouse and give players a swift kick in the pants.
“It’s not a talent problem,” Melvin said yesterday after his second interview with Mets officials for the team’s managerial opening. “It’s the mindset. Get back to the confident mindset this team needs to win and compete in that division.”
Melvin, the former Mariners and Diamondbacks manager, met for about 90 minutes with general manager Sandy Alderson, COO Jeff Wilpon and Alderson’s top assistants: John Ricco, Paul DePodesta and J.P. Ricciardi. Chip Hale had his callback interview last night, with Wally Backman and Terry Collins — the remaining finalists — set to meet with team brass today, when the GM meetings conclude here. Alderson expects to reach a decision by Sunday or Monday.
Melvin, who served as a scout within the organization last season, is considered the co-favorite for the job with Collins, who has managed the Astros and Angels.
Asked in several different ways if the Mets, who are coming off two straight losing seasons, can contend for the playoffs next year, Melvin didn’t waver in his response.
“I don’t look at it as a rebuilding process,” he said. “I look at it as we have the pieces with this club to compete, I don’t think there is any doubt about that. Certainly with the payroll this team has, it gives you the resources to compete every year. It’s just getting everybody going in the right direction and getting everybody healthy.”
Melvin has been America’s managerial candidate this offseason, previously interviewing with the Brewers, Blue Jays and Cubs. He said he left yesterday’s interview in a positive frame of mind.
Hale was less chatty with reporters following his interview.
“We had a nice conversation — just baseball stuff, that’s all it is,” Hale said. “I’m just glad I got a chance to come and talk to them again.”
Alderson called Hale an organizational “asset” — a strong indication Hale could return as third-base coach if he isn’t named manager.
The Mets can only hope Alderson’s next managerial hire will go as well as his last.
As Padres CEO in 2006, Alderson led the committee that selected Bud Black as the team’s manager. Black yesterday was named NL Manager of the Year after leading the Padres to the brink of the playoffs.
Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers, who was Padres GM under Alderson, recalled a detailed screening of candidates that ultimately led to Black’s selection.
“We interviewed five different guys at that time and Sandy was very involved,” Towers said. “It was a process — Sandy is all about process — and ultimately at the very end, even though he had no managerial experience we wanted [Black].”
Towers said the Mets can’t go wrong if they hire Melvin.
“He’s very intellectual, won with Arizona, great presence about him,” Towers said. “I always had a lot of respect for Bob across the diamond, watching the way he ran a ballclub.”
mpuma@nypost.com