Report: Mets likely going outside organization to hire next GM
In Sandy Alderson's absence, the New York Mets are operating with a front-office tandem led by three executives. When the team hires Alderson's replacement none of them are likely to get the promotion, as the club will reportedly hire an outside candidate, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred.
The most likely internal candidate, assistant general manager John Ricco, is well liked by Mets ownership, per Heyman, and particularly by the team's COO Jeff Wilpon. Ricco currently runs the team's baseball operations department alongside J.P. Ricciardi and Omar Minaya.
Alderson, 70, took a leave of absence late last month following a recurrence of cancer in April. Since then, the general manager has been given a favorable prognosis after undergoing treatment. Once he has a promising bill of health, it's possible Alderson returns to the Mets. However, in the press conference announcing his leave from the team, Alderson said his recent track record didn't necessarily warrant a return.
After his contract expired this past offseason, Alderson was retained by the team. At 37-53, the Mets' winning percentage is tied with the Miami Marlins for the worst in the National League.
Heyman's report acknowledges that things can change, though one source within the organization expects the Mets to hire from outside, while others hold a similar opinion.
Among rumored candidates under consideration are Arizona Diamondbacks senior vice president and assistant general manager Jared Porter, Milwaukee Brewers executives Ray Montgomery or Matt Arnold, senior vice president of baseball operations for Major League Baseball Kim Ng, and Toronto Blue Jays vice president of baseball operations Ben Cherington.
If the Mets are willing to offer a promotion to president of baseball operations - something they have been unwilling to do previously, but it's a growing trend in MLB - the report indicates that ownership could try to lure Brewers GM David Stearns, Cleveland Indians GM Mike Chernoff, or Chicago Cubs GM Jed Hoyer away from their clubs.