Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen put his support behind manager Mickey Callaway in a news conference on Monday, addressing the media ahead of the series opener against the Nationals at Citi Field.
Van Wagenen said Callaway will remain the Mets' manager despite the current losing stretch, ending speculation that Callaway could be out of a job, at least for the time being.
"Mickey is our manager now, Mickey is our manager going forward," Van Wagenen said. "And we are going to provide the same support we have for him throughout the offseason as we have to this point and we'll continue that effort full steam ahead."
Callaway was asked how he felt about being the manager for the "foreseeable future."
"I've never looked over my shoulder one day," Callaway said. "I complete the task at hand, and the task today is to go out and win a game."
Van Wagenen, in his first season as GM after a career as an agent, said he didn't want to point fingers down the chain of command.
"We built this team in the front office, we believe this team has the ability to contend, the same way we said in the offseason loudly and proudly."
Callaway was appreciative of the show of support.
"I want to thank Jeff and Brodie and Fred and our whole front office for their continued support," Callaway said.
Before the news conference, Van Wagenen met with the players and coaching staff to make known the feelings of the club's leadership group.
"We called a meeting today with the coaching staff and players, the purpose of this meeting had very different aspects to it. First and foremost, it was to make clear to the coaches, to make clear to Mickey and to make sure the players understood that I, the front office and the entire ownership group has support of Mickey Callaway as our manager.
There has been speculation that Callaway is on the hot seat after the Mets were swept by the Marlins, the worst team in baseball, on Sunday.
The Mets (20-25) currently are on a five-game skid and haven't scored a run since Friday's 8-6 loss to the Marlins.
Van Wagenen also said that Yoenis Cespedes suffered multiple fractures in his right ankle during an accident on his ranch.
