The Mets are reeling from the unexpected -- and, in many corners of the organization, emotional -- fallout from general manager Billy Eppler’s sudden resignation amid an MLB investigation on Thursday.
As such, team brass has not yet decided when to replace Eppler, according to people with direct knowledge of their thinking.
The Mets do expect to hire a new GM to work under president of baseball operations David Stearns. Stearns expected Eppler to serve in that role, and they had already begun work, carving up office space at Citi Field and discussing potential hires.
Then an anonymous tipster approached Major League Baseball about allegations that Eppler had violated rules regarding use of the injured list. Eppler resigned, and plans were suddenly scrambled.
The morning after, the organization was still trying to process what happened, and deal with it on both an emotional and practical level.
Soon enough, Stearns will determine whether he wants to replace Eppler this offseason or next. Because a head of baseball operations is in place, the team can function without a GM in the near term.