Alderson not rushing to fill positions
Sandy Alderson answers questions during a press conference after being introduced as the Mets' general manager. (Oct. 29, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
Before diving into his Mets workload this week, Sandy Anderson had to wrap up his teaching duties at Cal-Berkeley, and the new general manager was expected back at Citi Field Tuesday to begin the team's offseason rebuilding.
At the top of the list is rounding out Alderson's front-office staff, which could include some combination of his former Oakland executive trio of Paul DePodesta, J.P. Ricciardi and scouting guru Grady Fuson. Alderson said Friday that he planned to add one or two people in addition to holdover assistant GM John Ricco.
Getting that group in place will be crucial toward evaluating the roster and organization, which probably needs to be done before the GM meetings begin Nov. 17. The coaching staff also has expiring contracts, with pitching coach Dan Warthen and infield/third-base coach Chip Hale likely the only ones to remain at the major-league level.
Hale could interview for the managerial opening, but the Mets have yet to set up a schedule to meet with candidates. One possible candidate, John Gibbons, reportedly has pulled his name from consideration.
Others, such as Bob Melvin and Clint Hurdle, were in a wait-and-see mode. Melvin, a Mets scout, is in the running to be the Brewers' manager, but Bobby Valentine is looking like the favorite, a person familiar with the situation confirmed Monday. Hurdle is the batting coach of the Rangers and is now free with his team losing the World Series.
Though Wally Backman is expected to interview, it's unclear how he will fit in with Alderson's vision. With so many important hires to make, Alderson didn't sound like he was in a hurry.
"It's more important to get it right than to get it done quickly," Alderson said.
