Steve Cohen considers himself “lucky” to have found general manager Billy Eppler.
When Cohen set out to hire not only a new general manager but also a president of baseball operations during the 2021-22 MLB offseason, he was turned down by several of the game’s top executives and others he wasn’t even allowed to interview. It was surprising and humbling for a person who is typically able to persuade top talent to come to work for him at his asset management firm.
“It was really difficult to go find anybody and run this team which is kind of remarkable for a New York team,” Cohen said Wednesday at Citi Field. “Because of the nature of trying to find people in baseball, it’s not easy.”
The Mets never did fill that president of baseball operations role, but Cohen is hoping to do so soon, emphasizing how important he views the role during his midseason press availability.
“I’m still looking for a president of baseball operations. Billy knows, I’ve had that conversation and he’s supportive,” Cohen said. “You know, my view, is this a very complex job. And there’s a lot to do and it’s a lot on one person. Obviously, there are people under Billy, but from a leadership standpoint, that’s still out there. At some point, we will fill that position.”
As the Daily News previously reported, the Mets are expected to target Milwaukee Brewers advisor David Stearns. Coincidentally, the Mets happen to be in the middle of a series against the Brewers, so Stearns’ name was bound to be brought up at some point this week. Stearns was one of those executives Cohen tried to hire in 2021 but owner Mark Attanasio denied the Mets permission to interview their top executive. The 38-year-old New York City native and lifelong Mets fan stepped down from his role as the Brewers’ president of baseball ops last fall and his contract is up after this season. The Mets could make him the highest-paid executive in baseball.
Should the Mets have to pivot away from Stearns, expect him to pursue someone with a pedigree.
“I don’t want a rookie running things,” Cohen said. “We’ve got a solid infrastructure in place with solid management, so we want to bring in somebody that’s complimentary. I want someone who can come into this organization and hit the ground running and not create problems, right? Conflicts.”
If he can’t find that this winter, he’ll look again next winter.
“I’m taking my time,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ll find the right person. And if I don’t find the right person this year, I’ll wait.”
However, Cohen made it clear that he’s not looking to replace Eppler. The GM’s job is safe through this season, and Cohen indicated that it would be safe next season too. A bad finish to an already bad season could change that, but Cohen’s management group is having to undo years of Wilpon-era toxicity and mistakes. Firing Eppler and Showalter would only create more chaos and might even undo some of the good the organization has done.
“The biggest mistake you can make is go hire somebody that will set the organization back five years, 10 years,” Cohen said.
Cohen’s ownership tenure is barely past its infancy. With such a small sample size, his operational philosophies are still relatively unknown. This could also give some executives some apprehension. Established executives want to know what they’re getting themselves into, though his handling of the 2023 season does give us a glimpse of how he operates.
The owner has learned some harsh lessons in baseball over the last two years. His past penchant for airing grievances on Twitter might have cost him. He encountered opposition from owners of small-market clubs who didn’t want the richest owner in the biggest market to poach their talent.
Until he finds the right candidate — likely one who isn’t currently under contract with another club — he’ll continue to put his faith in Eppler.
“In my business, there are ways to hire people that are way easier than in baseball,” he said. “But I’m following the rules. And the type of person I want doesn’t grow on trees, OK? So I have to be patient.”
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