N.Y. Mets: Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss

From the desk of: HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET 

Sterling Partners sign agreement with Steve Cohen. #Mets pic.twitter.com/ogzUcLFkeQ

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 14, 2020

"If I am fortunate enough to be approved by Major League Baseball as the next owner of this iconic franchise, Sandy Alderson will become president of the New York Mets and will oversee all Mets baseball and business operations." - Steve Cohen

When the Mets are a competitive team and a good draw on the road, other teams make money.  Therefore, I do not foresee Steve Cohen encountering problems with gaining approval from owners.

While Cohen has yet to officially take over, he has already improved the Mets immeasurably by tentatively hiring a president of baseball operations.  What this team has lacked above all else over the last thirty years (post Frank Cashen) is a firm front office structure and a rigid chain of command.  That's no criticism against Steve Cohen's selection to fill the position.  Rather, it's an indictment against the outgoing chief operating officer and chairman of the board.  

However, I am a forward moving creature and so my initial reaction upon learning Sandy Alderson is tentatively returning to the organization was tepid - been there and done that.  I believe Steve Cohen immediately makes the Mets president of baseball operations one of the most sought after positions in baseball.  Therefore, I would have preferred Cohen wait and first let some of the self-aggrandizing candidates around the leagues marinate in contemplation over their own respective futures.

Just to see who pops up ...

That being said, I am not at all averse to Alderson's return because the available resources and more importantly the mandate from up above are about to change.  Lest we forget Alderson previously operated the Mets while constrained by ownership's financial maladies.  But I'm sure the soon to be 73-year old has no want for returning to his old post.  At this stage of his career, delegating responsibilities from the PBO's office is a perfect fit.  Now Alderson potentially sets the parameters.  As president he has three jobs: make sure the owner's directives are met, run the entire baseball operation including salary and P&L, and make sure the latter never comes in conflict with the former. 

If I had my druthers, Brodie Van Wagenen is toast.  I want Sandy Alderson vetting the Western Hemisphere for a new general manager.  And if he can help it, I do not want to be disappointed.  

Thank you ...

Once upon a time, I thought it somewhat impressive when Alderson brought in Paul DePodesta and JP Ricciardi under the same roof.  I do not see that happening again.  But it wouldn't surprise me if Sandy  Alderson's reaches out to former scouting director Tom Tanous and farm director Ian Levin.  Entering the 2019 season, Brodie Van Wagenen retained Alderson holdover Marc Tramuta as scouting director, but replaced Ira Levin with former Red Sox executive Allard Baird.  In fact, Brodie Van Wagenen is widely complimented for recruiting Baird, Jarred Banner and Adam Guttridge into the front office.  But for all we know Alderson may already have other candidates in mind.

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What's important here, is that Sandy Alderson effectively gets to build a front office from scratch.  And like a skeleton to a body, this front office will finally have a backbone.