Mets Rumors: Former Yankees, Angels Exec Billy Eppler Finalizing GM Contract

Billy Eppler is finalizing a contract to become the next general manager of the New York Mets, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

That news comes after Andy Martino of SNY reported Eppler was expected to fill the vacancy.

Ken Rosenthal reported earlier Monday that the Mets had offered Eppler the job, and Joel Sherman of the New York Post added the two sides were discussing contract details. Per Martino, contract talks had reached a point where an agreement was viewed as "likely."

Martino previously reported the Mets had yet to confirm any progress in their GM search:

Eppler served as the Los Angeles Angels' GM from 2015 until his firing in September 2020. Prior to that, he worked his way up the New York Yankees organization to become their assistant GM.

The Mets have drawn negative headlines as they pursue candidates.

While not as successful as its neighbor in the Big Apple, the franchise plays in one of the biggest markets in the world, which generally provides a benefit when attempting to land marquee stars.

Owner Steve Cohen also appears to be willing to spend. The Mets gave Francisco Lindor a 10-year, $341 million extension, and they had the third-biggest Opening Day payroll, per Cot's Baseball Contracts.

That's what made this comment Nov. 9 from team president Sandy Alderson somewhat puzzling: "I think it's mostly about New York, and not about, you know, Steve or the organization or what have you. It's a big stage and some people would just prefer to be elsewhere."

One could argue it's a troubling sign that Alderson had to deny the Mets' struggles to hire a GM are related to Cohen, given the perception that's growing around the team owner.

Hiring Eppler may work out, but his arrival would likely leave some fans underwhelmed.

The 46-year-old helped the Angels land Shohei Ohtani, and he was in charge when L.A. got Mike Trout to pledge his future to the franchise with a record-setting 12-year, $426.5 million extension. Eppler also did his best to overhaul a minor league system that was routinely in the bottom half of the league.

Having said that, the Angels failed to post a winning record in any of his five years as GM. Beyond signing Ohtani, there isn't much Eppler can point to in terms of personnel masterstrokes either.

If this is how the Mets' prolonged GM search ends, then their new-look front office will face skepticism right out of the gate.