When the Mets announced the hiring of former agent Brodie Van Wagenen as their new general manager, it was apparent that his top lieutenants would be of particular importance. After all, this will be his first time working in, let alone leading, a baseball operations department.
For the moment, all that’s known for certain is that one notable figure — former Mets GM Omar Minaya — will remain on hand to assist Van Wagenen. Andy Martino of SNY.tv recently tweeted that Minaya, who re-joined the organization last year as a special assistant to the GM, would stay on in some capacity. Minaya’s specific role and job title aren’t yet known, but Mike Puma of the New York Post tweets that he will be a “top adviser” to Van Wagenen.
Two other top baseball executives, assistant GM John Ricco and special adviser J.P. Ricciardi, are still in limbo. However, the team has advised both that “they are wanted back,” as Puma puts it. Whether they’ll choose to stay with the team, and if so in what capacity, isn’t known. Puma noted recently (on Twitter) that Ricciardi “has multiple years remaining on his contract.” Neither has spoken personally on the matter.
In his most recent report, Martino does note that, while some turnover is expected, morale within the Mets front office was good yesterday, and there may be less turnover among lower-level staffers than originally expected. In the meantime, Van Wagenen is beginning to look around the league for potential assistant GM candidates. He will also look to expand the Mets analytics department, but as of right now no personnel decisions have been made.
Adding context to the Mets’ peculiar new situation, The Athletic’s Tim Britton explores how the specific responsibilities might shake out by speaking with three NBA GMs who made a similar transition – though none is a perfect analog for Van Wagenen. Still, the Mets’ new front office picture is beginning to take shape. In his introductory press conference yesterday, Van Wagenen made it crystal clear that the Mets will be looking to “win now.”
Meanwhile, yesterday was the final day of Sandy Alderson’s contract with the Mets, as Martino observes. The veteran baseball executive had remained at least loosely involved with the organization despite stepping down from daily GM duties owing to medical needs.
Now, Alderson is moving on as the team turns the position over to Van Wagenen. Fortunately, Martino writes, Alderson has a “good” prognosis in his cancer recovery. Whether or not he has any intention of aligning with another team isn’t clear, but Alderson does “plan[s] to continue to work in baseball in some capacity,” per the report.
@jeff Todd None is a perfect analog for Van Wagenen ??? Explanation ?
I don’t know, maybe start with NBA being a completely different sport than MLB…
Yet to be determined is whether Larry, Moe or Curly gets the desk near the window…….
I would say that this is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard, except I saw Jeff Dunham on the TV the other day. He had his hand up some puppet’s you-know-what, and I was laughing so hard I snorted milk out my nose.
I would say that you need to expand your horizons of what is considered funny.
Bob’s comment and Jeff Dunham are basically tied at the apex of hilarity. This is the interwebs, so I am entitled to state that as fact.
Just because you do not think Jeff Dunham is funny does not make it so. G Vanlue likes his humor. Why do you have an issue with that?
In days gone by, GMs were responsible for a lot more than they are now, including a lot of things that we would consider the “business” side of things. These days, GMs are more Directors of Player Personnel.
With that in mind, Brody’s hire isn’t THAT wacky. I’m just assuming he’ll surround himself with knowledgeable scouts/evaluators.
But, it’s the Mets……
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Its completely wacky and a GM is much different than a director of player personnel
As a long suffering Mets fan I am afraid.
Very afraid.
If this was an organization that has demonstrated an ability to get out of their own way I might consider it bold. Instead, it scares ne
Agreed
It’s the perfect scenario for the Wilpon’s. Making it look like they made a major change when it the fact they are still in complete control