Indians general manager Mike Chernoff will not interview for the Mets’ front office vacancy, SNY’s Andy Martino reports. The team had reportedly asked for permission to interview him, and MLB.com’s Jon Morosi even wrote yesterday that Chernoff was a “leading candidate” for the job and would sit down with the organization. New owner Steve Cohen, however, quashed that report himself when he tweeted that it was incorrect to suggest Chernoff would interview to become their president of baseball operations. Martino adds that Oakland GM David Forst is also seen as “unlikely” to interview for the Mets job.
It’s not clear yet whether the Indians denied the Mets permission to speak to Chernoff or whether Chernoff declined their reported interest. It wouldn’t be the first time the 39-year-old has rebuffed overtures from another club; Chernoff reportedly drew interest from the Mariners and Phillies before being promoted to his current post in the Indians organization. The Princeton alum has spent the better part of two decades in the Cleveland front office. Chernoff has worked as Chris Antonetti’s chief lieutenant since October 2015, a role in which he’s apparently quite happy.
The Mets’ search for a revamped front office is still in its early stages. In addition to missing out on Chernoff and (likely) Forst, New York’s request to speak with Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns was denied by Milwaukee. To date, only former Marlins GM Michael Hill is known to have chatted with Mets’ brass about the president of baseball operations position. Former Mets pitcher Chris Young, now Major League Baseball’s senior vice president, might also be an option for the front office in some capacity, Martino adds. To this point, however, it’s not clear if Young has even spoke with the club.
I’ve commented this before, but I’m a huge fan of Chernoff and would love him to stay with the Indians. He and Antonetti work well together, and it’s impressive what they’ve done with the resources they have. He’ll end up running his own team down the line, and he’ll be more than deserving of it.
On a side note, I was able to meet him at TribeFest two years ago and he was nice enough to give me career advice when I asked him. (I just graduated college and I’m trying to make it into the industry.)
I appreciated that he actually talked to me instead of ignoring me.
No to Young. Cohen has already said he doesn’t want someone learning on his dime. This would be another Brodie VanWagenen style hire. Two years of that joke is enough. Hiring Young would just continue the LOL Mets routine of years past. We are trying to get past that.
Chris Young ok at least I have his autograph. Nice signature.
Have they considered Bobby Bonilla? The guy should be near the end of his contract.
He has 15 more years… nevermind.
Move on.
Don’t forget Brett Saberhagen too!
Is Bernard Gilkey still getting paid?
*laughs in Bruce Sutter*
Should they just hire a placeholder for one year until Theo Epstein is ready to get back in the game?
I’m not genius, but I have a hunch that Theo is not going to come in to play second fiddle to Sandy Alderson.
Alderson was hired to help build a front office he can walk away from in 2 years.
Making butter.
Chernoff will churn on with the Indians.
Finally we’re able to hang on to someone. That’s good news. The Mets loss is our gain.