Buck Showalter already had a daunting task ahead of him trying to help the Mets take the next step toward a legitimate and consistent feud. But the closure of Major League Baseball is making things even more difficult.

The veteran coach, who was due to make his debut for the Mets in 2022, was unable to speak to his players and get used to their inclinations. The league has banned management from talking to – or even about – players.

“It’s frustrating not to speak to the players directly,” Showalter admitted on Monday. “But I know that 29 other clubs will not have the lead.”

Once the lockdown is lifted by the owners, Showalter can finally get all of his Mets together after spending the past five weeks putting together a coaching staff alongside new GM Billy Eppler.

The Mets almost completely overhauled the coaching staff – the only survivor of Luis Rojas’ system was coach Jeremy Hefner. Ebler and Showalter Wayne brought in Crippy to head coach first base, Joey Cora to be head coach third, Eric Chavez to be the hitting coach, and Glenn Sherlock to serve as the manager’s right-hand man as the coach on the bench.

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“Everyone is very open to whatever might come our way,” Showalter said of his coaching staff. “You look at serving the players’ needs – which is the most important thing – and making sure to bring in someone who keeps the avenues open for all things. I know the work that Billy and I and the Foundation have done with the candidates we’ve spoken to… He’s been through a lot of female candidates and I’m very proud of him and I look forward to working with them.” “.

Now comes the waiting game.

The players’ union had been expected to contest the league’s initial proposal on Monday in hopes of reaching an agreement on a new CBA, which would end the shutdown. However, a solution is not expected, and the ongoing stalemate has cast doubt on the start of spring training, which is due to begin in less than a month.

“We have dates if all goes well. I hope for some good news today,” Showalter said. “You start preparing as advertised. I won’t hold us back and feel. I would go in periods of the week about how much time you are going to spend. It appears that the amount of time it takes to practice before the games start has diminished each year.”

This winter, it’s all about preparing for “different timelines” and the uncertainty that this shutdown brings.

“We don’t have that safety net if a guy has a minor injury,” Showalter admitted. “Now if they have it, it jeopardizes the opening day. I hope for the best, and I’m sure the players are too.

We try to plan for all scenarios. To be just like that is impossible but we will try.”