There won’t be a Mets press conference introducing Theo Epstein as their next head of baseball operations.
Epstein would’ve been a nice fit to help the Mets end their championship drought. Under his watch, the 2004 Boston Red Sox and 2016 Chicago Cubs played their way to the top of the baseball world.
But, for the Mets, it’s on to the next one.
According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Epstein is no longer in the running for the role of Mets president. Epstein spoke with Mets owner Steve Cohen this week in a “cordial” conversation, and both sides agreed that the job was not the right opportunity for Epstein.
With Epstein out of the picture, the Mets must move forward with their search. Ideally, team president Sandy Alderson wants to get this resolved sooner than later. The team already decided to part ways with manager Luis Rojas. For the Mets, time is of the essence.
What made the idea of Epstein going to Queens so intriguing was the instant credibility he would’ve brought with him. His arrival would’ve been an instant upgrade for the franchise.
The flip side to that coin is there’s still a handful of intriguing names out there.
There’s no Epstein, but two names that stand out are Billy Beane and David Sterns
Beane, the executive vice president of operations for the Oakland Athletics, worked closely with Alderson during the latter’s time on the west coast. Furthermore, if you’ve watched the movie “Moneyball”, you’re familiar with his ties to the Mets during his playing days.
If the Mets want Beane, they’d first have to go through Oakland’s ownership to get it going. So far, Beane’s not showing his hand, as expected.
As for Stearns, it’s arguably a greater longshot than Beane. Because the Milwaukee Brewers are in the playoffs, the Mets are unable to engage with their president of baseball operations, until their season is over.
Mets fans will recall last offseason Stearns was on Alderson’s list of potential candidates for this role. Milwaukee’s team owner, however, refused permission for the Mets to interview him.
Coming off a disappointing first season in charge, team owner Steve Cohen needs a strong offseason to keep fans engaged. Missing on Epstein hurts, but it’s still early enough in the game to make the big splash this team needs.
There’s plenty of work ahead for the Mets with a roster expected to see substantial turnover before Opening Day, 2022.
If the reported names are in play, the Mets owe it to their fan base to keep their foot on the gas with their search.
