Photo: USA TODAY

Here are five things to know about new Mets general manager Billy Eppler:

1. He knows New York

Billy Eppler has already spent a decade working in New York. A former UConn baseball player, Eppler joined the Colorado Rockies as a scout in 2000. In 2004, he was hired to scout for the New York Yankees.

Eppler remained with the Yankees through 2014, starting in their Tampa office run by Mark Newman and Damon Oppenheimer. Yankees GM Brian Cashman promoted Eppler to director of the professional scouting department in 2005. He’d then get promoted to assistant general manager in 2012, staying in the Bronx until 2014.

2. Friendly with David Stearns

First reported by Joel Sherman, one of Billy Eppler’s best friends in baseball is Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations, David Stearns.

The Mets wanted Stearns as head of baseball operations this offseason but were ultimately denied permission from Milwaukee to interview. A New York native and Mets fan, the 36-year-old executive’s contract runs out next season and the Mets want him. Sources told The Athletic that Stearns has a serious interest in the Mets job.

3. Wooed Shohei Ohtani

Eppler played a large part in getting the best player in baseball to sign with the Los Angeles Angels. The ace pitcher and super slugger was posted by the Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2017, he chose the Angels over the Dodgers, Padres, Cubs, Giants, Mariners, and Rangers.

Ohtani’s agent Nez Balelo said, “what mattered to him most wasn’t market size, time zone or league but that he felt a true bond with the Angels He sees this as the best environment to develop and reach the next level and attain his career goals.”

4. Solid trade and waiver record

Eppler had to get creative under Angels owner Arte Moreno to acquire talent. The Halos were hamstrung by the contracts of Albert Pujols and Anthony Rendon, who Moreno was infatuated with before Eppler’s arrival.

Los Angeles’ minor leagues were shallow and didn’t provide much opportunity for trades. Still the Angels acquired major league talent at a minimal cost. Andrelton Simmons, Patrick Sandoval, Max Stassi, Tommy La Stella, and Dylan Bundy were just some of the players Eppler was able to add. He also found waiver gems in Hansel Robles, Brian Goodwin, Blake Parker, and Noe Ramirez.

5. Analytic mind

In Los Angeles, Eppler built up the Angels’ first full-time analytics staff and was commended for how he interacted with players.

This matches the Mets current investment in a larger analytics staff. Since Cohen bought the team the Mets have gone from one of the smallest to one of the largest analytic staffs in baseball.

That impact can be noticed on the field with New York’s increased usage of shifting on defense, leading to a much-improved defensive team despite a majority of starters being the same from the year prior.