Brad Ausmus declines Mets' interview

Former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has decided to remove his name from the Mets’ list of candidates to become the team’s next manager, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Ausmus, who did not have his contract with the Tigers renewed at the end of this season, is still looking for a manager position, though. In fact, Heyman says the 48-year-old former major leaguer has “remained interested” in other jobs, including the Red Sox job.

Herman says Ausmus’ connections make him a possible candidate for the Red Sox opening. Ausmus has regional ties to it because he attended Dartmouth College and his daughter is currently enrolled there plus he has a house in Cape Cod. In addition, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski hired Ausmus to manage Detroit.

Along with Ausmus, Robin Ventura — a former Met who managed the White Sox from 2012-16, also appears to not be interested in the job, according to Heyman. However, Heyman says the Mets have “six or so” possible candidates. Some of the names are current hitting coach Kevin Long, Astros bench coach Alex Cora, former Met and current White Sox bench coach Joe McEwing, current Dodgers bench coach and former Athletics manager Bob Geren, and current A’s third base coach Chip Hale, who was a former manager for the Diamondbacks.