Sandy Alderson called the year-long search for a general manager “exhaustive” Friday as he introduced the Mets’ new GM, Billy Eppler
That may be an understatement, given the disastrous hirings — and firings — of Eppler’s two immediate predecessors, Jared Porter and Zack Scott, both because of off-field issues.
Alderson said despite the appearance of desperation, the Mets only offered the job to one person — Eppler — this time around.
And he insisted the “vetting process was broader and deeper than any vetting process we had ever undergone.”
The process led to dalliances with numerous executives, some in line to be president of baseball operations, others looked at as GM candidates.
Owner Steve Cohen noted the obstacles in finding people to come to New York, regardless of the role.
“I think there [are] lots of reasons why people decide they’re just not available,’’ said Cohen, pointing to potential candidates being comfortable where they were or not wanting to move to New York because of COVID fears.
“I put a lot of time into this,’’ Cohen said of the search. “It’s a relief to get somebody I feel really good about. … We’re incredibly comfortable with Billy and his decision-making, his ethics and his integrity.”
Part of the “due diligence” included looking into other areas, since Eppler ran the Angels when pitcher Tyler Skaggs died in June 2019 at the team’s hotel from a mix of fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol, the opioids purportedly provided to him by an Angels media-relations official. The matter is still being litigated.
The Angels also hired former Mets manager Mickey Callaway as their pitching coach while Eppler was the GM. Callaway was in Anaheim for one season before The Athletic exposed numerous inappropriate messages he sent to female journalists throughout his career as a coach and manager. Major League Baseball suspended Callaway through the 2022 campaign for sexual harassment.
“Billy is just one person in the organization,’’ Cohen said.
On the field, the Angels finished under .500 in each of Eppler’s five seasons.
The 46-year-old Eppler pointed to “a convergence of circumstances” that led to the disappointing record, including a depleted farm system, some bad contracts already on the roster, significant injuries to key players and some misses in free agency.
“My biggest takeaway [from the Angels job] is the importance of depth,’’ Eppler said.
He signed a four-year deal to be the GM, but Alderson said Eppler will have the chance to prove he could be the top decision-maker in the coming year.
“There’s an opportunity here for a year, at least, to establish yourself, to grow to a point to where we may not even do a search a year from now for an additional person above the general manager role,’’ Alderson said. “Steve and I will take a look at that at the end of the season.”
Alderson added Eppler will report to him, for now, but “I expect Billy to be driving this operation.”
“This is not necessarily a one-person job,’’ said Eppler, who would have a role in a potential search for another executive.
Cohen said he learned a lot during his first year as Mets owner, including: “If you’re going to be in first place for 109 days, try to do it at the end of the season. That would be helpful.”
Though Cohen had a small stake in the Mets before buying the team from the Wilpons, he said he’s “just getting acquainted with baseball. There’s a lot of moving parts.”
But Cohen insists he’s not going to be overly involved in decision-making regarding personnel.
“My job is to provide the resources to find the people who can run these areas, with Sandy,’’ Cohen said. “Then let them do their thing. It’s not my job to dictate who the players are going to be.”
The Mets added infielders Ronny Mauricio and Mark Vientos, as well as right-handlers Jose Butto and Adam Oller to the 40-man roster. Right-hander Dedniel Nunez was returned to the Mets organization from the Giants and added to Triple-A Syracuse. Nunez was selected by San Francisco in last year’s Rule 5 Draft.