Check one big-name candidate off the list of potential people to run the Mets’ baseball operations.
According to a report from MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, former Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs executive Theo Epstein is out of the running to be the Mets’ next president of baseball operations. Heyman said Esptein spoke with Mets owner Steve Cohen, and a partnership between the two won’t happen this winter.
“Theo is out of the Mets picture,” Heyman tweeted. “He and Steve Cohen spoke and decided not to move forward.”
Epstein currently doesn’t have a front office role with any team. Instead, he’s working with MLB as an on-field consultant. And according to Heyman, Esptein’s desire to have an ownership stake in a team may have played a role in his decision to stay away from the Mets’ job. Heyman did say Oakland A’s president Billy Beane is still very much in the running to join the Mets.
“Theo and Cohen are said to have had a good conversation but decided the timing/fit aren’t right,” Heyman tweeted. “Theo is committed to helping MLB with on-field decisions, and ultimately desires to be part of putting together an ownership group. Word is, Mets still may have a legit shot at Beane.”
Entering the offseason, three major names were on the Mets’ radar for their next president of baseball operations: Epstein, Beane and Milwaukee Brewers president David Stearns.
Beane might be the most likely candidate at the moment if the Mets do land a big fish this winter.
Along with hiring a new president of baseball operations, the Mets are searching for their next manager after not picking up the option on Luis Rojas’ contract on Monday.
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Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com.
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