How are Mets allowed to interview Dodgers coach for manager opening?

Late last week it was reported the New York Mets were continuing their search for manager and that Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough had joined the pool of interviewees.

This past season was McCullough’s first as the team’s first base coach after he was promoted from minor league field coordinator, a position he held in the organization since 2015. McCullough was sought after two years ago as well, interviewing for the Giants’ managerial vacancy before Gabe Kapler eventually got the job.

The Dodgers have dealt with enough departures this offseason for the fans’ liking, and while McCullough’s wouldn’t exactly be devastating, we’d just think it’d be nice to keep some continuity on the coaching staff.

As for the good news, it appears as if Buck Showalter is the frontrunner for the job in New York … but we’re still confused as to why the Mets are allowed to even interview McCullough, who is an MLB employee?

Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough interviewing for the Mets’ manager job is confusing.

Didn’t you think all transactions were frozen? That kind of defines “work stoppage,” doesn’t it? At first, we assumed only minor-league moves were permitted, but coaching moves are fair game as well because coaches and managers are not part of the players’ union.

Here’s a helpful summary from CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa:

“MLB is implementing a transactions freeze during the lockout, meaning no trades or free-agent signings (or waivers, releases, etc.) involving 40-man roster players (i.e. MLBPA members). Baseball’s work stoppages haven’t always featured a transactions freeze (the Mets traded Vince Coleman to the Royals for Kevin McReynolds during the 1994-95 strike) though it’s believed we’ll see one this offseason.“Because the lockout would only involve MLBPA members, we could see minor-league contract signings or even trades involving non-40-man roster players during the work stoppage. Those are rare, though they would be technically possible.”

There’s no specific mention of moves on the coaching front being exempt, but it’s kind of assumed when you realize minor-league deals can still go down. The lockout is between the MLB players and owners. Many of us assumed it’d be more far-reaching than that, but now we have a bit more clarity.

You know what that means? A contract extension for manager Dave Roberts could be in the works and done before the lockout is over. But that’s a discussion for another time.

The takeaway here? McCullough is a candidate for the Mets job (though it’s more likely than not he remains in LA) and any deals outside of ones involving major league players are still on the table. Maybe this offseason won’t be that boring?

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