According to multiple reports, Mets owner Steve Cohen met with former Red Sox and Cubs General Manager Theo Epstein about the team's President of Baseball Operations job, and the two sides agreed that Epstein would not take the job.
New York Post reporter Mike Puma reported in his piece, "Epstein's contentment working to improve baseball's on-field product for the league, plus a desire for his next team job to involve an ownership stake, building an organization from the ground up may have made his candidacy for the Mets job a long shot."
Considering the Mets are keeping Sandy Alderson around in high executive capacity, even though it is expected it will be more on the business side of baseball, coupled with the fact that Cohen just bought the team, and the number of off-field and on-field distractions that took place the past year for the Mets, it probably wasn't the right move for Epstein to come to New York.
It's a shame, because Epstein had built a reputation as a "curse-buster" having won World Series titles both in Boston and Chicago, while ending the Curse of the Bambino in 2004, and the Curse of the Billy Goat in 2016.
Instead the Mets may turn to the man who invented the "Moneyball" formula that Epstein used to build the Red Sox: Billy Beane. However that might be easier said than done. Beane has a comfortable job in Oakland, and has a ownership stake that is worth a reported $40 million, according to Puma.
It will take a lot to get Beane away from Oakland. Keep in mind he is still under contract there. Some say a Mets-Beane union is a possibility since Beane and Alderson worked together in Oakland, and reportedly remain "tight," however one has to wonder if Beane would want to work under Alderson again. Plus, he's never dealt with an owner like Cohen, who not only has deep pockets, but has shown a proclivity to be very gregarious in the social media world.
Some also believe that Milwaukee's David Stearns, who is under contract with the Brewers, and has helped turn that franchise around into a World Series contender could also be an option.
Bottom line is, the Mets would like to have an established guy run the baseball side of things, but that is easier said than done.
Obviously, nobody wants a repeat of last off-season, when the Mets tried and failed to lure a President of Baseball Operations. Instead Alderson took that post over, in addition to being president, and wound up hiring Jared Porter as GM. Porter was fired weeks later when he was accused of sexual harassment. Alderson then gave the GM job to Zach Scott, who was placed on administrative leave in August after he was arrested for drunk driving.
Alderson has stated he would like to take a back seat in baseball moves, but wouldn't rule out having a say. Certainly he has Cohen's ear, and Cohen relies heavily on Alderson's advice.
In addition to looking for a President of Baseball Ops, the Mtes need a General Manager and Manager.
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