5 reasons why no one wants to work for the New York Mets

Front office jobs do not grow on trees. That is especially the case when it comes to a franchise that not only wants to win, but has an owner that is willing to spend whatever it takes to bring a championship home. Such is the case with the New York Mets and owner Steve Cohen.

But no one wants to work there. The Mets keep attempting to interview candidates, but they keep getting turned down. Right now, the front office is Sandy Alderson, some cardboard boxes, and maybe a tumbleweed or two.

Reasons why no one wants to join the New York Mets

Why is that? The Mets seemingly have everything a general manager wants – an invested owner with deep pockets who wants to spend. They would be able to build the front office to their values, bringing in their own people. But even that is not enough to land the Mets first 40 choices.

Let’s look at some reasons why no one wants to work for the New York Mets.

Sandy Alderson’s presence

Nominally, Sandy Alderson is the team president of the New York Mets. He is also the acting general manager as the Mets do not have another option.

Nominally, this would not be an issue. However, at this point, the Mets are not planning on hiring a president of baseball operations, just a general manager. With Alderson being so close to the role, and with his experience as a GM in the past, there may be some concern about his being so close to Steve Cohen, especially if he does not agree with a move being made.

Chances are, those concerns are much ado about nothing. Alderson has been a respected figure in the game for close to four decades. It is doubtful that he would ruin his reputation out of petty jealousy or because he disagrees with the direction a new general manager is taking the ballclub.

Alderson could also be a strong mentor for a neophyte general manager. He has been in a variety of front office roles over the years and would make a great sounding board. A first time GM could not ask for a better person to learn from.

But for some reason, that may not be considered to be the case. Sandy Alderson’s presence could be part of why the New York Mets cannot get any interest in their front office vacancies.

An issue with culture

There is no question that the New York Mets need to change their culture. It is something that Steve Cohen had talked about when he took over as the principle owner of the franchise.

But culture issues also follow Cohen. He had been sued by his ex-wife for insider trading and racketeering, charges that were dismissed. However, those insider trading charges were taken up by the SEC against his company, with a settlement in a civil case prohibiting Cohen from managing outside money until 2018.

Those were not the only issues to plague Cohen during his time managing his hedge fund business. He was alleged to have created a sexist culture, using vulgar and abusive language towards female employees. That trickled down through the company, as other male employees would ridicule female employees while commenting on their bodies.

That has to be a giant red flag for any prospective member of the front office. As they would be expected to help change the culture of the organization, one has to wonder how much Cohen himself would keep that change from happening.

The New York Mets already have culture issues. Steve Cohen’s past could also be driving away these candidates as his own previous culture issues come to the forefront.

New York is a Yankees town

Winning a championship with the New York Mets would be impressive. But would anyone actually notice?

Since their inception, the Mets have been second fiddle to the Yankees. Sure, there have been moments when they have stolen the back page, but those have been few and far between. Even when that happens, the Yankees find their way to the forefront of the city’s baseball consciousness in short order.

It makes sense. The Yankees have a far longer track record of success and a history of greatness. The Mets, meanwhile, have a history of disappointment and top prospects that have not panned out.

That is not going to change any time soon. While the Mets are looking to become a major market team, the Yankees already are. The Yankees also plan on spending this offseason, grabbing headlines and attention away from the Mets. Even if the Mets make those major signings they need, would anyone really pay much attention?

Yes, there would be prestige in winning a championship with the New York Mets. But would anyone in New York even remember that title in a week’s time?

Unknown vermin in the stadium

Maybe, instead of trying to build a front office, the New York Mets should hire an exterminator.

Apparently, there are large, unidentifiable vermin that have run of the Mets’ dugout and clubhouse. Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil had a heated argument about what it was they saw in the tunnel – a rat or a raccoon. The idea that it was a cover story for an altercation between the two that led to Lindor grabbing McNeil by the throat is pure conjecture.

Let’s face it – it’s New York. There may well be rats the size of raccoons in the city. Or maybe it is just one elderly rodent looking for a slice of pizza to feed its four teenaged charges. There is no need for such an uproar.

But no one wants to work in an environment where they may have to fend off rats, raccoons, or other miscellaneous vermin for their food. Likewise, no one wants to run the risk of getting bitten just heading to their office. Maybe, if the Mets could hire an exterminator to take care of their rodent problem, they would have an easier time finding someone for their front office.

Was it a rat or a raccoon? Whatever it was, it may be keeping the New York Mets from finding a general manager.