Mets begin final phase of GM search
FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2008, file photo, Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes smiles as he talks to the media during baseball spring training in Tucson, Ariz. The New York Mets have narrowed their search for a new general manager to longtime baseball executive Sandy Alderson and Byrnes. Credit: AP
The Mets begin the final phase of their general manager search Monday with a second interview of Josh Byrnes, and the team could announce the new GM by the end of this week.
Byrnes will meet with principal owner Fred Wilpon and president Saul Katz, along with chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon, who led the initial round of interviews with the six candidates. That group was trimmed down to two Friday, with Byrnes and Sandy Alderson emerging as the two finalists.
The Mets clearly wanted a candidate with former GM experience, which both possess, but in varying degrees. Byrnes, 40, was fired by the Diamondbacks in July after four-plus seasons on the job and one playoff appearance. Alderson, 62, built an Athletics team that made three straight trips to the World Series from 1988-90, winning one in 1989, and he more recently held the position of Padres CEO until 2009.
Alderson has been the favorite from almost the start, but Byrnes could stress his more recent experience as a big selling point. Alderson is scheduled to interview Tuesday, and the Mets could have an announcement shortly afterward.
Major League Baseball prefers that teams hold off on significant news during the World Series. But the Mets could get a pass for Friday, which is the day off between Games 2 and 3, when the series shifts from San Francisco to Arlington, Texas.
