Mickey Callaway, Not Realizing He Likely Won't Be Back With Mets, Implies Zack Wheeler Will Be Gone

Mickey Callaway has never failed to blow our minds throughout the 2019 season, and he was up to his regular antics again on Wednesday.

Say what you will about his capabilities as a pitching coach, but Callaway has proven to be anything but a competent and reliable manager across his two seasons in Queens. We'll take that opinion to the grave.

It doesn't take a baseball insider to come to terms with the very likely possibility that the 44-year-old skipper will not be with the New York Mets in 2019. Well, Mickey himself is apparently unaware of that likelihood as he willingly spoke about the cloudy future of Zack Wheeler. Per Callaway, the right-hander is all but set to leave the club this winter.

Asked by Mike Francesa on WFAN about Zack Wheeler, Mickey Callaway said of the impending free agent: “Somebody is going to get a good pitcher.” He later added that the Mets would love to have Wheeler back.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) September 25, 2019

Is Mickey not aware that optics are a significantly prevalent dynamic in professional sports? Why would he reveal, presumably without any rebuttal, that Wheeler will likely depart the club in free agency?

Well, thats easy. Because he has no idea what he's doing, especially when it comes to fielding questions from reporters. Callaway even added that he and the Amazins would love to bring Wheeler back in 2020, implying that HE will be back as the manager in 2020.

Francesa tells Mickey Callaway that he's done a good job of sticking in there all year and answering the questions during the bad times. Callaway says that's part of the job.
— Brian Monzo (@BMonzoRadio) September 25, 2019

Sometimes, for the overall benefit of the organization, its OK to deceive the public when asked "tough" questions. Let Wheeler himself reveal his offseason intentions, and don't be quick to assume that Brodie Van Waganen and Co. will welcome you back with open arms.

Callaway's overly-optimistic attitude has seen a hefty dose of criticism thrown his way and his words today should receive a similar form of backlash.

Self-awareness Mickey, it's called self-awareness.