By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Even though New York Mets first base coach Ruben Amaro Jr. is three seasons removed since serving as general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 2009-2015, many players he drafted, worked to acquire and develop still remain within the organization.
In an interview with The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Amaro Jr. said he "takes satisfaction" in "some of the guys who have had success" on the Phillies since his departure.
"Naturally, I take satisfaction. I’m a human being. I take satisfaction in some of the guys who have had success. I’ve known these kids for a long time," Amaro Jr. told Rosenthal.
"I’ve known (third baseman) Maikel Franco for a long time. I’ve known (second baseman) Cesar Hernandez for a long time. I’ve obviously followed the career of (center fielder) Odubel Herrera after getting him in the Rule 5 draft. I’ve watched these guys we’ve drafted — (right-hander Aaron) Nola and (left fielder Rhys) Hoskins, some of the other players and position players."
Even though Amaro Jr. said it is "fun" to watch the aforementioned players "develop," and is "happy for them," he still prioritizes his support and focus toward Mets players. Amaro Jr. is likely also paying close attention to two former Mets players traded to the Phillies midseason in 2018, Jose Bautista and Asdrubal Cabrera.
"I work for the Mets. I get paid by the Mets," he said. "When it’s time to play the Philadelphia Phillies, it’s time for us to beat their ass."
Amaro Jr. is in his first season with the Mets staff as their first base coach, after spending the two seasons prior with the Boston Red Sox in the same position. Amaro Jr. told Rosenthal that his main purpose of pursuing a coaching role was to "get back onto the field" with the ultimate goal to "someday" become a manager.
"I wanted perhaps the opportunity to be a manager someday, as the ultimate goal. But keeping an open mind that if there are opportunities to be back in the front office, I still feel like I have a lot to offer in that regard as well. I felt like being back on the field would give me a different and interesting perspective as a far as doing a better job as a GM, and trying to improve my information resources. I’m open-minded. If you were to ask me if I would like my next step to be a GM or a manager, I guess it would be a toss-up."
Amaro Jr. told Rosenthal that he has "expressed interest" in the Mets' general manager position, left vacant by Sandy Alderson amid his battle with cancer. Amaro Jr. said the Mets were "appreciative" of his interest, however he does not know "where it goes from there."
Whether Amaro Jr. becomes a manager, general manager, or remains an on-field coach, he said he "loves challenges." "I know [managing] would be a tremendous challenge. I believe I deal with people pretty well — very well. I like to be collaborative. I like to be open. I like to be honest," he said. "I’ve always been someone who always has been goal-oriented. The ultimate goal is to build a winning culture."
"I feel I would have success being able to impact players and staff enough to reach that goal."
