PIITB By JD- Reaction To Billy Eppler’s Resignation
Unexpectedly today, Thursday, October 5, around 4:15 pm word got out that Billy Eppler had resigned as General Manager of the Mets. This came as a shock considering how vocal Steve and Billy had been in the past regarding his status after hiring a President of Baseball Operations. Steve repeatedly voiced his confidence in Billy and said he would remain, but David Stearns had other plans.
I was curious about potential reasoning and explanations for his “resignation”. The obvious answer is it was influenced by the MLB investigation into his misuse of the injury list. It is unclear what that means at this time. I speculate something about "Phantom IL". Phantom IL, is placing a player that is not actually injured the the IL in order to clear a spot. There are many other alternatives as well.
He said he wants David to have a clean slate. I believe the conversation went something along the lines of, “you can resign, or we will fire you” between Stearns and Billy. I do think there was some animosity on Billy’s end. Why would you want to work somewhere where you used to be in charge and now you have to listen to someone above you that you may not always agree with and does not give you free rein? David Stearns wants his guy and that is completely understandable.
In regards to Steve, I do believe he intended to keep Billy around initially. We have to remember Steve is a new owner still and does not know what a President of Baseball Operations would want in place before coming in. David Stearns clearly had other plans and here we are.
How does this affect Free Agency? I don’t think too much, but I would say there's a negative effect on signing the Japanese stars. We know Billy’s relationship with Ohtani and how he netted the Mets Senga last year on a great deal. It would stand to reason he would be helpful in attracting Yamamoto and others to the Mets. Hopefully, this does not impact the Japanese market. I am curious if it impacts Ohtani at all. I am not sure if we will find out, but it is interesting.
This is David Stearn’s show. He is going to set out to find his guy. Nobody knows who it will be. It should be an exciting off-season. I can’t wait for it to get started.
Apparently, Eppler is subject to some sort of investigation. Weirdsville exist in Flushing.
ReplyDeleteMorning
ReplyDeleteThis set me back last night
Sounds.like some disgruntled player busted out Eppler
Tell ya this...
This will set back the team in 2024. Most players hate drama and just want to play ball
I expect my friends at The Athletic will have the back story on this soon
DeleteBuck,Eppler,is Pete next? The toxic clubhouse story is out there.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in the toxic clubhouse story - I think it is all opportunistic headlines to get readers. I do however believe that the churn at the top is not good for player morale and Pete decided to protect himself by hiring an agency that will look out for his interests.
ReplyDeleteThe Eppler resignation must have had a lot to do with the investigation. I think Billy cut some corners and now was faced with having full responsibility for that gaffe in front of his new boss. I don't think that Stearns came in with the intention of firing Eppler. Otherwise he would have been more silent about looking forward to working with him in the future. He may have been blindsided by this admission himself.
Mack's statement that "this will set the team back in 2024" is right on. If you were a free agent and saw this level of turnover in the management team, would you sign for next year?
It's the good, the bad, and the ugly.
ReplyDeleteThe good...if Eppler is really responsible for Vogelback still being here
and all the ABs he took fro our rookies, then maybe it's good he's gone.
The bad... Eppler was our Japanese conduit...acquiring Ohtani, Yamamoto and others could be affected.
The ugly...we have a RAT! Who just cost Eppler his career over something every team does, and probably only should result in a fine. Unless he is just using that as an excuse...more to this story clearly to come.
And if I were Eppler, I wouldn't give MLB ANY cooperation until they tell me:
ReplyDelete1 what particular injured player(s) they are talking about.
2 who the rat was that called in the complaint.
3 they they have investigated all other 29 teams for the exact same infractions
and the Mets are not prejudicially being singled out.
The biggest issue is how it affects the Japanese signings because that would really suck as we need Yamamoto badly and this must affect Sterns because he apparently didn't see this coming. Baseball life in NY under the microscope and they sure didn't waste any time did they.
ReplyDeleteMoney talks,if Cohen wants Yamamoto he will sign him. Verlander,Scherzer part 3?
ReplyDeleteWith regard to the GM and Managerial openings, how come not one
ReplyDelete"expert" has mentioned Carlos Beltran?
He is already in the front office as Special Asst. to the GM
He was previously qualified to be the Met's manager.
The players love him, and he's bi-lingual...and young.
He obviously can handle NY ( which is something we don't even know about Counsell)
He could easily be the manager or Acting GM...Stearns is probably a fan of his.
Good question, is Beltran being considered?
ReplyDelete