Mets Still Moving At Snail's Pace In Front Office Search

The New York Mets continue to look for a new president of baseball operations and there is still some uncertainty about the current role of team president Sandy Alderson. 

MLBTradeRumors.com writes that when Alderson was brought back to the Mets by new owner Steve Cohen in September 2020, the idea was for Alderson to focus on the team’s business operations once a new baseball ops head was eventually hired. 

While that still seems to be the team's plan, three high-profile candidates — such as Billy Beane and Theo Epstein each removed themselves from consideration, and the Brewers denied the Mets permission to speak with David Stearns — which could leave the Mets looking at hiring a first-time president of baseball operations.

There is still the question about how much influence Alderson might still have, and if Alderson is empowered to hire or even identify candidates to become the next leader of the Mets front office or if Cohen has essentially pushed aside his team president and is leading the search, the New York Post's Mike Puma reports.

"The first person Alderson hired as general manager last offseason, Jared Porter, lasted just over a month on the job before he was fired for sexual harassment of a female reporter that occurred during his Cubs tenure," Puma reports. "Zack Scott, hired by Alderson as the assistant general manager, was installed as the acting GM, but has been on administrative leave following an Aug. 31 arrest for DWI. Scott is awaiting a Dec. 8 trial."

Puma writes that Tampa Bay Rays vice president of baseball development Peter Bendix is “potentially on the radar.”  Bendix has been with the Rays since 2009, beginning as an intern and working his way up to his current role, which he has held for the last two seasons.

To add to the ongoing changes, and after a disappointing 77-85 record, the Mets will not pick up the 2022 option on manager Luis Rojas. OutKick previously reported the team extended Rojas an opportunity to remain in the organization if he so chooses.

Keep up with all OutKick's latest betting info by clicking here.

New FanDuel Sportsbook users can make their first bet risk-free up to $1,000. If the bet loses, the FanDuel Sportsbook will refund you in site credit. New users can lock in this offer NOW by clicking this link.

Follow Meg Turner on Twitter @Megnturner_ and Instagram @Megnturner.