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Art Howe to Manage Mets

Howe 'bout that? Art Howe is rumored to have agreed to a deal with the Mets. Now, he might even take a few of the A's with him as most managers do. Including Terrence Long who started with the mets.

Think it's a stretch?

Consider that Billy Beane loudly hinted that the A's would not ask for compensation if Art were to be hired away by the Mets. A key lesson in public relations, business and politics: pay close attention to what is not being said.

What may very well end up happening is the A's get the decidedly upper hand in a few "deals" whereby the A's get compensated without direct compensation.

NEW YORK -- Art Howe has agreed to a four-year contract worth $9.4 million to manage the New York Mets, a baseball source told The Associated Press on Thursday.


ESPN News Report: Piniella agrees
Newsday reported Thursday that Lou Piniella, unable to negotiate with the Mets after the Mets failed to reach a compensation deal with Seattle, agreed in principle to a $13 million, four-year deal with the Devil Rays.


The newspaper said Oakland bench coach Ken Macha, yet another of Alan Nero's clients, will replace Howe, and that he has agreed in principle to a multiyear contract for almost $1 million a year.


The Athletics permitted the 55-year-old Howe to negotiate with the Mets even though he has a year remaining on his contract.


Macha has interviewed with several teams about their managerial openings -- including the Mets.


The Devil Rays, based in Piniella's hometown, offered him their managing job Tuesday.


Howe, who guided Oakland to this season's AL West title and three straight playoff appearances, will be formally introduced as the team's new manager next week, after the World Series, the source said on condition of anonymity.


Commissioner Bud Selig has barred teams from making major announcements during the Series.


The Mets met with Howe and agent Alan Nero on Wednesday after it was clear that first choice Lou Piniella would not be available. The Mets were unable to get permission from the Seattle Mariners to talk with Piniella, who asked to leave that team to manage closer to his home in Tampa, Fla.


The Mariners granted permission only to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who reportedly have reached an agreement in principle with Piniella, another Nero client.


With Howe leaving Oakland, that job reportedly will go to bench coach Ken Macha, one of several candidates interviewed by the Mets. Macha also interviewed with the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers.


Howe became a fallback candidate for the Mets' job when the Athletics offered to release him with no compensation. He was interviewed last week, but the Mets chose to wait until it became clear that no agreement could be reached with Seattle.


The Mets fired Bobby Valentine on Oct. 1 after finishing in last place despite a $95 million payroll. Owner Fred Wilpon said he wanted the next manager to come with a history of winning.


Howe fills that requirement.


Hired as the Athletics' manager before the 1996 season, Howe has become the third-winningest manager in franchise history. His team won 103 games this season but lost a five-game playoff to Minnesota, the third straight year Oakland has been eliminated in the first round.


He spent five years as manager of the Houston Astros before moving to Oakland.


New York newspapers were critical of the Mets' move.


The Post ran a back-page headline saying, "LOU-SERS -- AND HOWE'' and added in smaller type, "Mets settle for A's skipper after Piniella fiasco.''


Newsday also made it clear on its back page that Howe was not the Mets' first choice, saying, "Howe & Why -- With Piniella Unavailable, Desperate Mets Agree To 4-Year Deal With Art."

What's next? The A's sign Ken Macha as manager, Bob Geren becomes bench coach and the A's grab a catcher, pitcher and infielder for trading Howe plus Corey Lidle, Terrence Long and a player to be named later.

We're looking at the Arizona Fall League numbers right now and they look great. By the way, do you know what team team the A's players play for in the Arizona Fall League? Do you know what team the New York Mets players play for in the Arizona Fall League?


No hints.