The Mets have requested permission to speak to Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold, but have not yet received an answer, according to multiple league sources.
As SNY reported earlier in the month, Arnold is one of several younger candidates whom the team could hire to lead baseball operations. There has been significant industry chatter connecting Arnold to the Mets today.
It’s not a totally dead issue, because the Mets haven’t been denied permission, either. Two MLB executives said that Arnold may have language in his contract limiting his ability to interview with other clubs. Arnold did not respond to a request for comment.
The Mets are doing diligence on Arnold, but don’t yet know how interested they will be, or even if they will be allowed to speak with him. The team has been stymied several times by baseball’s rules requiring permission to speak to executives under contract.
The team is proceeding with its search for a new executive, but is in no rush to hire one. Owner Steve Cohen has told associates that he is determined to make the right choice, even if it takes time.
In the meantime, as previously reported, there is a chance the Mets could pursue a quick reunion with Javier Baez.