Since his hiring, GM Sandy Alderson and the Mets have turned their attention to the team's managerial search. After parting ways with Jerry Manuel after the year, the organization has been searching for a replacement, and the process has intensified over the past couple weeks.

A number of internal and external candidates were interviewed in the first round of the whole thing, including ex-Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu and A-ball minor league manager Wally Backman. However, according to reports, the Mets have now narrowed the field, and are most focused on Terry Collins, Bob Melvin, and Clint Hurdle. All three of them have prior managerial experience, and all three of them will be asked back for a second interview.

Collins, who last year was the Mets' minor league field coordinator, has six seasons of big league experience with the Angels and Astros. Melvin, who most recently worked as a Mets scout, has managed the Mariners and Diamondbacks. And Hurdle, who was a bench coach with the Rangers last season, managed the Rockies.

A fourth candidate may be Mets third base coach Chip Hale, but that's currently uncertain. The team will also interview Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo on Monday, but he isn't likely to go anywhere.