The New York Mets announced Thursday afternoon that general manager Billy Eppler has resigned. The first move of the David Stearns Era led to the firing of Buck Showalter. Stearns’ next two biggest decisions involve him finding a new Mets manager and general manager. It comes as a surprise especially since Eppler was in attendance for Stearns’ introductory news conference Monday. Everything seemed safe until it wasn’t.
NEWS: Billy Eppler has resigned as Mets GM, the team announced.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) October 5, 2023
Stearns will inherit two assistant general managers Ian Levin and Ben Zauzmer, both of whom predated Eppler’s tenure in the organization. One of Eppler’s major hires was Jonathan Strangio, the senior vice president of baseball operations.
Mets General Manager Out
Eppler Out After Two Seasons
Eppler was hired by the Mets in November 2021 after he was fired as general manager of the Los Angeles Angels. He got a four-year contract to become the 16th general manager in Mets history and their fifth head of baseball operations. Best of all, Eppler helped sign big-name free agents including Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Kodai Senga. Then he went on to re-sign Brandon Nimmo and Edwin Diaz to big contracts.
The 48-year-old Eppler oversaw five consecutive losing seasons as the Angels went 332-376 under three managers. That also came with a cast of supporting players behind Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani and Albert Pujols. Despite the losing, Eppler boasted a previously barren farm system with several prospects who made an impact on the big league level.
A Short Tenure in Queens
Even with the lockout interrupting much of the 2021-22 offseason, the Mets did well with a 101-61 record. It was the second-highest win total in Mets’ franchise history. However, New York still had to settle for a wild card spot after losing the NL East crown to the Atlanta Braves on a tiebreaker. The Mets playoff run quickly evaporated following a three-game loss to the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card Series.
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