How about Howe?

The Mets aren't the only team looking for a new manager this offseason, but that might not be a problem.

According to Larry Stone of The Seattle Times, one of the candidates the M's are considering is an old friend...

Howe, just fired by the Mets after two seasons, has considerable knowledge of the AL West from his seven seasons as manager of the Oakland A's, including playoff appearances in 2000-02.

Reached in New York, Howe indicated interest in the Mariners' job.

"I know the Seattle organization is one of the better organizations in baseball," Howe said. "They've always been in a competitive situation, which is what any manager would like to be in. They have good people."

Howe, who signed a four-year deal, is still owed $4.7 million for two more seasons by the Mets.

"I'm in a situation where I'm going to look for a good fit," he said. "I know Seattle has always been in the hunt. As a manager, you want a chance."

Would Howe be a good fit? That remains to be seen. My gut feeling would be no, as Howe seems to have the most success when his players are already playing well and he can't do anything funny to mess it up. *cough*Stanton*cough* With the Mariners record of of 63-99, something tells me Artie'd have the same problems there that he had here.

Although if he gets the job, maybe he'll take the ageless wonder Gerald Williams with him.

On another interesting note, the article cites Bobby V as a contender, but says that he's a leading candidate to land the Mets job. I haven't heard anything (except for the polls) that would indicate Valentine's got the inside track on the job. Hopefully the Mets front office is keeping track of what the people - and not the media - are looking for for this team. Valentine should've never been fired in the first place, and passing him over now would be the perfect case of two wrongs don't make a right.