Reese Kaplan -- The Four Horsemen for Mets GM Role

As the holidays of December arrive or soon will arrive, the Mets have been looking for someone in shiny wrapping and a giant bow to join their front office alongside Sandy Alderson and others in the newly minted management and operations team to help run the business of Queens baseball.  The Winter Meetings have come and gone with the Mets only really active in the Rule V major and minor league portions but nothing being done to address the various holes on the New York roster.  One wonders had they had a GM in place already if more might have been done?

Reporter Jon Heyman of the MLB Network is standing by his assertion that there are four named challengers for the opening and that the decision could come as soon as the middle of next week.  This better-late-than-never approach is certainly welcome as it seems as if the Mets are to some extent spinning their wheels while other clubs have already secured quality players in free agency and in trades.  

The four names on the list provided suggest both familiarity and novelty.  Everyone is well aware of the Mets showing interest in Billy Owens of the Oakland Athletics where Sandy was working after leaving the Mets the first time.  Owens has been there for two of the past three years in which his team of mostly unknown ballplayers has reached the postseason, something the Mets can’t demonstrate since an ill-fated attempt in 2016 when they got knocked out immediately in the first round.  Success is something, as is familiarity and we are well aware that Alderson is not fond of anything or anyone new.

The Boston Red Sox have an assistant GM by the name of Zack Scott.  He has been involved in Beantown pursuit of October glory.  The fact is that after 17 years in the Boston organization Scott has been there for a few World Series championships and postseason playoff berths.  If we write off the 2020 experimental season, he’s been much more good than bad.  He also has a wealth of experience in analytics, baseball operations and serving as assistant GM.  His methods would likely be good but his familiarity with any other team (and one in another league entirely) might present something of a challenge.  

Jared Porter of the Arizona Diamondbacks was another new assistant GM name not bandied about much in the media leaks regarding the Mets’ GM search.  He’s done a little bit of everything with the D’Backs, Cubs and Red Sox during his 16 years in professional baseball management.  A step into a full GM role, like the previous three, would represent a step forward.  His background is heavier on scouting than analytics.  The Arizona team has not been to the postseason since he ascended into a heavy duty position there.  The Cubs were more successful, so he does have some positives on his resume as well.  

While any of these three candidates could be capable in the role for the Mets, remember what’s been said already about the long range plan.  The new GM is supposed to be in line to take over for Sandy Alderson when he chooses to retire from his position.  Towards that end Michael Hill is someone who has done the job Alderson now holds.  Furthermore, he did it during the tumultuous transition into the Derek Jeter era in Florida.  His club came from completely out of nowhere to finish in second place and earning a playoff berth this past season, so he has that recent success to show for his effort.  While taking a GM position might be regarded as something of a step down for the now-unemployed Hill, the growth from the marginally budgeted Marlins to the deep pocketed Mets is definitely moving up in his career.  

While I do not think there is a clear winner or loser in this bunch, to me it would seem that it is likely between Owens and Hill.  Owens has the Alderson connection and strong performance background.  Hill would be stepping onto the game’s biggest stage.  There is also something to be said about being the first person interviewed when the personnel games began.  Notice that the Phillies did not go after Hill for the position just filled by Dave Dombrowski.  His options might be somewhat limited and thus he might willingly swallow his pride a bit for the lesser position than he held with the Marlins in order to open the door to the possibility of much, much more in the future.  Whether or not he is the right choice is uncertain, but it’s good to hear the Mets are not merely sitting on their hands as it has seemed.