The Mets continue to search for their new head of baseball operations or GM to replace Sandy Alderson, and though it is the early stages, the candidate list is starting to fill out.

New York has already spoken to a few potential baseball execs, with SNY's Andy Martino saying "sit-downs in New York to informal telephone conversations" have made up the first rounds of the search. Their candidate list is wide-ranging as well.

Here's a look at where things stand in the search so far, and which candidates are at the top of the heap...

Indians GM Mike Chernoff

The 37-year-old is the newest candidate to surface this week, according to Martino. Chernoff has been in the GM role since 2015 when Chris Antonetti was promoted to team president after Mark Shapiro took his current role as the Blue Jays' president. Both Antonetti and Shapiro know Omar Minaya pretty well, hence the connection here.

Chernoff also has New York ties with his father, Mark Chernoff, the VP of programming at WFAN. Growing up in New Jersey, he also played shortstop for the Princeton University Tigers.

It is unclear if Chernoff wants to interview with the Mets, as he is drawing some interest from other teams as well.

Rays SVP of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom

Another Ivy-Leaguer, Bloom interviewed with the Mets on Wednesday. The Yale graduate, who oversees all of the Rays' baseball operations, has interviewed for GM positions in the past with Milwaukee and Philadelphia. He also declined an interview with the Diamondbacks as well.

At 35, Bloom is another young mind that help lead the Rays to a 90-72 record this season. He has spent the past 14 years with the Rays, starting as an intern.

Cardinals Director of Player Development Gary LaRocque

LaRocque, 65, worked for the Mets from 1998-2004. He began as the team's scouting director and eventually made it to their director of player development/assistant GM.

LaRocque also got the stamp of approval from Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, who said "I don't want to disrespect anyone who is being considered, but there isn't going to be anyone who is better than [LaRocque]," per The Post's Mike Puma.

It is worth noting that La Russa did pass over LaRocque when he interviewed for Arizona's GM job in the past.

MLB SVP of Baseball Operations Kim Ng

Ng is the highest ranking female executive in the league, and for good reason. She knows the game like the back of her hand, and has always sought out a GM position.

Ng interviewed for the Brewers and Dodgers' GM role in the past, and was reportedly considered by the Twins as well. She is also a Queens native.

Former Brewers/Rangers GM Doug Melvin

Melvin also spoke with the Mets, though he is still in the middle of a season right now. He currently serves as a senior advisor for Milwaukee. The 66-year-old has seen it all in his many years in the MLB, and could sway the Mets in going with him based off those many years of experience.

Melvin helped the Brewers reach the postseason in 2008 and 2011. He has been in his advisory role since 2015.

Agents Brodie Van Wagenen and Casey Close

These are the out-of-box candidates for the Mets, being that they are both sports agents. Van Wagenen is a lead agent at CAA, and represents Mets like Yoenis Cespedes, Noah Syndergaard, Todd Frazier, and Tim Tebow.

Close used to work at CAA, but left in 2011 to head Excel Sports Management's baseball division. He has represented players like Derek Jeter and Masahiro Tanaka during his time, and has been known to be popular among players in the league.

Martino says not to sleep on these two sports agents as they give a "fresh voice" for the Mets to listen to.

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