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New York Mets front office short list is empty

By David Hill

Construction crewmen work to install the New York Mets logo on top of a new entryway to the stadium on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, as part of the renovations being completed at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie. Workers were seen installing seats, pouring concrete on the outside walkways, and adding signage around the stadium as the team works out on the backfields during the start of spring training.Tcn Mets A1 04
Construction crewmen work to install the New York Mets logo on top of a new entryway to the stadium on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, as part of the renovations being completed at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie. Workers were seen installing seats, pouring concrete on the outside walkways, and adding signage around the stadium as the team works out on the backfields during the start of spring training.Tcn Mets A1 04 /
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The New York Mets had a very specific list of candidates that they wanted to reshape their front office. Theo Epstein, David Stearns, and Billy Beane comprised the entirety of that wishlist, a collection that would immediately transform the Mets’ front office into something worth paying attention to.

However, that list has not exactly borne fruit. While a conversation between owner Steve Cohen and Epstein took place, there was no traction and both sides agreed that a partnership would not work. On Monday, the Brewers denied the Mets’ request to speak to Stearns. Then, hours later, Beane asked to be removed from consideration for the position.

New York Mets need new list

It is understandable that the Mets would aim high. That has been a hallmark of the brief Steve Cohen Era, where he looks to shoot for the stars in terms of moves on and off the diamond. The moves made over the past year, from trading for Javier Baez and Francisco Lindor to signing James McCann, have all been made with the idea of getting the best team that he could buy.

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But that only goes so far. The Mets’ culture needed a complete overhaul, both in terms of the front office and the coaching staff. As expected, he cleaned house, and again aimed at the stars when it came to his preferred options to take over as the president of baseball operations.

Now, that short list is empty. The only other name that received any real traction in the rumor mill is Josh Byrnes, someone that has reportedly caught the attention of Cohen and Sandy Alderson. As he has spent the last eight years as the Dodgers’ senior vice president of baseball operations, and given the success that the team has had in that time, he could be an interesting option.

There are a couple of questions. First, will he be interested in taking over as the leader of the Mets? Second, is Byrnes enough of an impact move for Cohen? He does not have the same sort of name recognition as Beane or Epstein, but that did not dissuade his interest in Stearns. Maybe Byrnes could be the right option after all.

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One thing is for certain – the New York Mets have to expand their wishlist for the front office. There is no one left from their original trio.

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