Joel Sherman of the New York Post detailed last night how the Mets are game-planning in advance of their upcoming GM search to replace Sandy Alderson that will start in the very near future.
Sherman starts off by mentioning that the Wilpons would like to have a new GM in place by the November 4-8 Winter Meetings, but have yet to actually interview or ask any teams for permission to do so.
That being said, the team is looking into 10-12 options for the position, with Jed Hoyer (Cubs’ GM), Mike Chernoff (Indians’ GM), and David Stearns (Brewers’ GM) being the most difficult to pry in all likelihood. The latter is believed to be the easiest to convince to want to join the organization, having grown up a Mets fan. However, it is believed that Brewers owner, Mark Attanasio, would refuse to let him loose from his current contract.
Blue Jays executives Ben Cherrington and Mark Shapiro also got notable discussion in his article. Cherington is viewed by many as a compromise between Fred Wilpon’s old-school preference and Jeff’s interest in advabcing the organization with an analytical approach.
However, Shapiro is currently making $4 million annually which the Mets might not be interested in trying to pry him out of that contract. It was noted, though, that Shapiro and the Blue Jays’ organization have had their fair share of disagreements that could lead to him leaving the organization one way or another.
Meanwhile, other candidates that are sure to be mentioned over the next couple of months are Tonny LaCava (Blue Jays’ Assistant GM), Bobby Heck (Rays’ Special Assistant), Gary LaRocque (Cardinals’ Director of Player Development), Matt Arnold (Brewers’ Assistant GM), and Mike Elias (Astros’ Assistant GM).
Omar Minaya is expected to have a serious role in the hiring of the next GM, but has no interest in taking the position himself. Sherman notes that it is likely that he, as well as John Ricco and J.P. Ricciardi, will remain on board with the next regime and have a significant role in player personnel decisions.
