MLB Rumors: Tyler O’Neill trade fit, Mets front office chase, Cubs may not sell
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: NY Mets want to make a big splash
This season has not gone according to plan for a Mets team that was expected by many to be among the top contenders in the National League. Instead, the organization with the highest payroll in baseball is wallowing in the NL East, and far from striking distance.
Much of that can be blamed on the front office. General manager Billy Eppler had few restrictions from owner Steve Cohen, who is willing to spend whatever it takes to win in New York. With that in mind, could a change be coming?
There’s no indication that Eppler will be fired — Cohen even said he doesn’t want to clean house just yet. But Cohen is reportedly courting one of baseball’s top executives behind the scenes. David Stearns, currently an advisor for the Milwaukee Brewers and the former general manager, took a year off from his day job due to what some in the MLB community have coined burnout.
“I have never met the person, but why would that matter?” Cohen responded to The Post’s Jon Heyman. “I’m so focused on the Mets season right now. It’s not something I’m thinking about.”
Per Heyman, Stearns could be hired by the Mets in a president of baseball operations role. This would put him above Eppler on the organizational depth chart, though it’s unclear how the pair would coexist, or if Eppler would seek employment elsewhere.