MLB

Tough year could keep Mets coach from managing

ATLANTA — Chip Hale’s desire to manage hasn’t waned since missing on the Mets’ opening last year, but the team’s third base coach also realizes the odds could be stacked against him this offseason.

The combination of few projected openings and the Mets’ lethargic showing on the field won’t work in Hale’s favor.

“The organizations that are successful, usually people pluck from those organizations, so in that sense it’s been a tough year going right now,” said Hale, who was a finalist for the job that went to Terry Collins.

BOX SCORE

The Marlins will be searching for a new manager to replace Jack McKeon, and the Nationals would have an opening if Davey Johnson decides to move upstairs. Ozzie Guillen could fill the Marlins’ opening, leaving the White Sox with a vacancy. Otherwise, it could be a quiet winter on the managerial front.

Hale said the fact Mets have highly regarded front-office talent eventually could work in his favor.

“The more people that you work for, the more people know you,” Hale said. “That is the nice thing here about having J.P. [Ricciardi] and Paul DePodesta and guys like that you think eventually will be general managers in other places — they know what you’re all about.”

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Chris Schwinden‘s next start will come on Wednesday in St. Louis. The rookie allowed one earned run over five innings against the Nationals on Thursday to earn another look by the Mets.

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Pitcher Brandon Moore was suspended 50 games after violating the minor leagues’ drug-abuse policy. Moore was 10-8 with a 4.47 ERA this season for Double-A Binghamton.