Billy Eppler's 4-year deal to become Mets GM should be announced Friday, source says
Billy Eppler, shown here in 2019 with the Angels, was introduced as the Mets' GM on Nov. 19, 2021. Credit: Getty Images/Jayne Kamin-Oncea
The Mets were wrapping up the Billy Eppler hire as general manager on Wednesday with the expectation it will be official by Friday, according to a source.
Eppler, a former Yankees executive whose most recent job in baseball was GM of the Los Angeles Angels, will get a four-year deal from owner Steve Cohen, the source said.
Eppler’s hiring, once final, will end a process that began for the second offseason with an unsuccessful search for a team president to replace caretaker Sandy Alderson, who was supposed to move to the business side.
After finding their top targets either unwilling to interview for the job or not made available by their current teams, the Mets once again pivoted to hiring a GM only.
Eppler was the Angels’ GM from 2016-20. The team didn’t have a winning record during his tenure and didn’t make the playoffs despite having the game’s best player in Mike Trout.
Eppler’s successes with the Angels include signing Trout to a record $426.5 million extension and bringing in two-way star Shohei Ohtani.
Eppler worked for the Yankees from 2004-15 and was one of general manager Brian Cashman’s most trusted advisers in his final role as assistant general manager.
Cashman has publicly lauded Eppler, and Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner did the same on Wednesday at the owners' meetings in Chicago.
"I like Billy," Steinbrenner said. "Obviously, we’ve known Billy for a long time. Unbelievably competent and commands the respect of the players and the front office. I think he’s going to do great. I wish him the best of luck."
The offseason is unfolding around the Mets even as they work out the details of Eppler’s hiring. Noah Syndergaard spurned their $18.4 million qualifying offer on Tuesday and signed with the Angels for one year and $21 million.
As expected, Michael Conforto declined the Mets’ qualifying offer on Wednesday.
Eppler also has to hire a manager to replace Luis Rojas. His two managerial hires with the Angels were Brad Ausmus and current Los Angeles skipper Joe Maddon.
Noah’s farewell
Syndergaard said goodbye and thank you to Mets fans in a social media post.
"Dear Mets fans," Syndergaard began as the narrator on a slickly produced video, which included memories of his time with the Mets both on and off the field. "This is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. New York has been my home for the last six years and through both the good times and bad, my love for you all and this place never wavered.
"This rehab and free agency process is both eye opening and humbling. I was both flattered by all the outside interest, yet couldn’t process what it would mean or how hard it would be to leave New York City. After countless days of thought, I feel signing with the Angels is the best fit for me at this point in my career.
"I sincerely want to thank the fans for their unbelievable support. I wish we could have given you all even more to cheer about. Playing in New York has been the best experience of my life. The kid from a small town in Texas — this place changed me forever. I’ll never forget it and I thank you all for it.
"I also want to thank the Mets organization for trading for me and blessing me with this opportunity. My teammates, coaches, support staff and all others I probably forgot to mention here. New York was my home for a long time and I'll always appreciate how this Texan was welcomed there. I’ll always be pulling for the Mets until I’m playing against you."
The Mets are scheduled to visit the Angels next season from June 10-12.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
