INSIDER
Eppler, joining Mets, embraces return to `intimidating' NYC
Read full article: Eppler, joining Mets, embraces return to `intimidating' NYCBilly Eppler embraced the bright lights of the big city, promising on his first day as Mets general manager to pursue pricey free agents and create a perennial World Series contender.
Quiet GM meetings end without hint of CBA resolution
Read full article: Quiet GM meetings end without hint of CBA resolutionDespite an offseason that figures to be different than any since baseball’s last labor stoppage in 1994-95, the general manger meetings went on as planned in Southern California.
Mets' Alderson claims New York a deterrent in GM search
Read full article: Mets' Alderson claims New York a deterrent in GM searchMets President Sandy Alderson says the biggest impediment in the club’s dragging search for a general manager isn’t his presence nor owner Steve Cohen, but the spotlight created by the New York market.
AP source: Mets fire acting GM Scott after DUI leave
Read full article: AP source: Mets fire acting GM Scott after DUI leaveActing general manager Zack Scott will not return to the New York Mets after being placed on administrative leave following an arrest on drunken driving charges in August, according to a person familiar with the firing.
LEADING OFF: Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Cole ailing
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Cole ailingDerek Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons and the late Marvin Miller will be enshrined Wednesday at the Hall of Fame, a year after the induction ceremonies were called off because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mets' Báez bolts out of doghouse with apology, winning run
Read full article: Mets' Báez bolts out of doghouse with apology, winning runJavier Báez bolted home for the winning run in the ninth inning of New York’s 6-5 win over the Miami Marlins hours after he and Francisco Lindor apologized for taking a dig at booing Mets fans.
LEADING OFF: Báez, Lindor set to hear from frustrated fans
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Báez, Lindor set to hear from frustrated fansMets fans get their say after it was revealed stars Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez were among the New York players making derogatory hand gestures at Citi Field crowds.
LEADING OFF: Báez, Mets barb home fans, anger team president
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Báez, Mets barb home fans, anger team presidentJavier Báez and his New York Mets teammates get a day to cool off after the derogatory gestures they directed toward frustrated fans at Citi Field angered club management.
14 MLB teams reach 85% vaccinated, relax COVID protocols
Read full article: 14 MLB teams reach 85% vaccinated, relax COVID protocolsTwo more Major League Baseball teams have been able to relax coronavirus protocols after 85% of their players and other on-field personnel completed vaccination, raising the total to 14 of the 30 clubs.
Alonso cites fictional coach, unhappy with Mets change
Read full article: Alonso cites fictional coach, unhappy with Mets changePete Alonso and Francisco Lindor learned from phone messages that the New York Mets had fired hitting coach Chili Davis and assistant Tom Slater, a move that left players unhappy.
Alderson details Mets' pursuit of Bauer, pleased by results
Read full article: Alderson details Mets' pursuit of Bauer, pleased by resultsThis photo from a Zoom press conference shows New York Mets President Sandy Alderson, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. Alderson returned as team president Friday when Steve Cohen bought the Mets from the Wilpon and Katz families. Two higher-profile incidents both involved women, including a college student who accused the 30-year-old Bauer of harassing her online. We understood what the risks were associated with some of the social media stuff. Alderson said he never spoke directly with Bauer but talked with the pitcher’s agent about the social media presence and the need for Bauer to take responsibility for it.
Tim Tebow retires from baseball after five years with Mets
Read full article: Tim Tebow retires from baseball after five years with MetsFILE - In this May 16, 2019 file photo, Syracuse Mets' Tim Tebow speaks with reporters prior to a minor league baseball game in Syracuse, N.Y. Tebow has been invited to big league spring training by the New York Mets, taking one of 75 spots after Major League Baseball limited spring roster sizes as a coronavirus precaution. (AP Photo/John Kekis, File)Tim Tebow is retiring from baseball after five years as a minor leaguer with the New York Mets. AdA lefty-hitting outfielder, the 33-year-old was invited the major league spring training this season, taking one of New York's 75 spots after Major League Baseball limited spring roster sizes as a coronavirus precaution. Position players aren't slated to report to the Mets' spring complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida, until next week. He was hired by ESPN as a college football analyst in 2013 and worked in broadcasting throughout his time pursuing a chance to play major league baseball.
Angels suspend Mickey Callaway after behavior allegations
Read full article: Angels suspend Mickey Callaway after behavior allegationsFILE - This 2020 file photo shows Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)ANAHEIM, Calif. – Pitching coach Mickey Callaway has been suspended by the Los Angeles Angels after allegations of inappropriate behavior toward several women who work in sports media. The Angels announced their decision Tuesday, a day after the allegations against the former New York Mets manager appeared in a report by The Athletic. Callaway joined the Angels in October 2019, three weeks after he was fired by the Mets following two years in charge. Mets President Sandy Alderson, who hired Porter, was GM of the team when Callaway was hired.
Report: Coach, ex-manager Callaway pursued women in media
Read full article: Report: Coach, ex-manager Callaway pursued women in mediaFILE - This 2020 file photo shows Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway. Callaway, former manager of the New York Mets and current Los Angeles Angels pitching coach, aggressively pursued several women who work in sports media and sent three of them inappropriate photos, The Athletic reported Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)NEW YORK – Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway, former manager of the New York Mets, “aggressively pursued” several women who work in sports media and sent three of them inappropriate photos, The Athletic reported Monday night. Callaway sent uninvited and sometimes unanswered messages to the women via email, text or social media and asked one to send nude photos in return, according to the report. Ad“I was appalled by the actions reported today of former manager Mickey Callaway,” Alderson said in a statement released by the Mets late Monday night.
Mets fire Porter after 38 days for explicit texts in 2016
Read full article: Mets fire Porter after 38 days for explicit texts in 2016This screen grab from a Zoom call shows New York Mets general manager Jared Porter Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. Mets general manager Jared Porter sent graphic, uninvited text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016 when he was working for the Chicago Cubs in their front office, ESPN reported Monday night, Jan. 18, 2021. (Zoom via AP, File)NEW YORK – Jared Porter lasted just 38 days as New York Mets general manager, fired for cause Tuesday about nine hours after ESPN reported he sent sexually explicit, uninvited text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016 while he was working for the Chicago Cubs. ESPN said the woman Porter sent the texts to was a foreign correspondent who had moved to the United States to cover MLB. The woman ignored more than 60 messages from Porter before he sent the most vulgar photo, according to ESPN.
Mets fire GM after he sent explicit texts to female reporter
Read full article: Mets fire GM after he sent explicit texts to female reporterThis screen grab from a Zoom call shows New York Mets general manager Jared Porter Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. Mets general manager Jared Porter sent graphic, uninvited text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016 when he was working for the Chicago Cubs in their front office, ESPN reported Monday night, Jan. 18, 2021. (Zoom via AP, File)NEW YORK – Jared Porter went from rising star to unemployed — literally overnight. “We have terminated Jared Porter this morning,” Cohen wrote Tuesday. She said the Cubs employee told her Porter wanted to apologize in person, but she didn't want to see him.
Mega deal: Indians trade star Lindor, Carrasco to Mets
Read full article: Mega deal: Indians trade star Lindor, Carrasco to MetsThe Cleveland Indians have agreed to trade four-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco to the New York Mets, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. "They did not come cheaply,” Mets president Sandy Alderson said of Lindor and Carrasco . One of his next big-ticket items figures to be signing Lindor to a long-term contract, something the Indians couldn't do. Carrasco is signed at $12 million in each of the next two seasons, part of a deal that includes a $14 million team option for 2023 with a $3 million buyout. New York also signed injured right-hander Noah Syndergaard to a $9.7 million, one-year deal.
Mets' new GM excited by Cohen's title expectations
Read full article: Mets' new GM excited by Cohen's title expectationsNEW YORK – Jared Porter knows his new boss with the Mets is counting on a championship. “Hearing comments like that motivates me,” Porter said Monday after being introduced as New York’s general manager. “It’s really important to create a situation where you’re a really hard team to play against. But the Mets still have several holes to fill in the rotation and lineup. “I don’t wear them out.”In Queens, Porter will report to the 72-year-old Alderson, a former Mets GM who was brought back by Cohen and has taken over baseball operations.
AP source: Catcher James McCann, Mets near $40M, 4-yr deal
Read full article: AP source: Catcher James McCann, Mets near $40M, 4-yr dealFree agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)NEW YORK – Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. McCann was an All-Star with the White Sox in 2019 when he hit .273 with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs. Last week, the Mets signed free agent reliever Trevor May to a $15.5 million, two-year deal. He was regarded as the second-best catcher on the free agent market behind J.T.
Mets 2B Canó suspended 162 games by MLB after drug test
Read full article: Mets 2B Canó suspended 162 games by MLB after drug testThe New York Mets second baseman was suspended for 162 games by Major League Baseball on Wednesday after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in his decorated career. Minus Canó, the Mets could give offensive sparkplug Jeff McNeil a regular spot at second base — probably his most natural position. “We were extremely disappointed to be informed about Robinson’s suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” new Mets president Sandy Alderson said in a statement. He played 49 games this year in a season shortened from the usual 162 to 60 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Canó has 2,624 career hits and Hall of Fame-caliber statistics for a second baseman.
Cohen promises splashes of cash for Mets -- within reason
Read full article: Cohen promises splashes of cash for Mets -- within reasonThis photo from a Zoom press conference provided by the New York Mets shows New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. (New York Mets via AP)NEW YORK – Steven Cohen promises splashes of cash Mets fans expect from his billions — within reason. “So I’m going to let the professionals, Sandy and the people we bring in, let them run baseball." Alderson met Cohen last December through Andrew B. Cohen, who is not related to the new Mets owner but manages Cohen Private Ventures on Steven Cohen's behalf. “What I told Luis was that it’s very likely he will be managing the Mets,” Alderson said.
Mets GM Van Wagenen, others out as Cohen takes over team
Read full article: Mets GM Van Wagenen, others out as Cohen takes over teamSpecial assistant to the general manager Omar Minaya, assistant general managers Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge and executive director of player development Jared Banner also departed. He hired former Mets general manager Sandy Alderson as team president in his first move and ended Jeff Wilpon's tenure as chief operating officer. and Van Wagenen fired manager Mickey Callaway and replaced him with Carlos Beltrán. It is a record price for a baseball team, topping the $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers from Frank McCourt to Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012. “I hope that your energy, competitiveness and resources will be welcomed by Major League Baseball,” Van Wagenen said.
Sale of Mets to Steve Cohen approved; Wilpon era nears end
Read full article: Sale of Mets to Steve Cohen approved; Wilpon era nears endFILE - In this Dec. 10, 2009 file photo, billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen attends a benefit in New York. Major League Baseball owners voted Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, to approve the sale of the New York Mets to Cohen. The Mets sale is likely to close within 10 days. “I am humbled that MLB’s owners have approved me to be the next owner of the New York Mets,” Cohen said in a statement. Cohen made his announcement as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city does not object to the sale.