Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |
Any time a new regime sweeps into power, personnel changes follow. The Mets will be no different, as they reset under general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.
For months, friends of longtime assistant GM John Ricco have predicted that he will move on after a new hire is in place. That remains the feeling, although Ricco is welcome to stay if he chooses. Ricco has a strong relationship with Van Wagenen, and Mets staffers are hoping that he stays because of that.
Ricco has consistently declined to comment on his future, and did not respond to a message this week. If he does decide to move on, either now or in several months once Van Wagenen is settled, he might be able to return to the commissioner's office, where he once worked. Ricco is a versatile executive, and his loss would be a major one for the Mets.
J.P. Ricciardi must also decide what he wants to do. A Sandy Alderson hire, Ricciardi has also been silent on his plans, but others in the organization predict that he will move on. Like Ricco, he can remain a Met if he chooses, at least for the duration of his contract.
Former manager Terry Collins is expected to meet with Van Wagenen after next week's GM meetings, to discuss the scope of his future in player development.
As previously reported, Omar Minaya will remain an essential voice in the front office. Minaya has known Van Wagenen for years and has been asked to support him on player personnel decisions, per organizational sources. Like the others, Minaya has not commented on his situation.
Several other lower-ranking baseball ops staffers are also weighing their futures. But word from nearly all corners of the Citi Field offices -- genuine, off the record, no-spin word -- was that Van Wagenen's news conference and collaborative vibe around the office this week improved morale. Some folks who were considering leaving with Alderson now hope to stay and work with Van Wagenen, and there does not appear to be as much turnover coming as it once seemed.
While no personnel decisions are yet final, Van Wagenen will bolster the Mets' analytics staff. Per sources, he is considering importing some analytics people from CAA, his former agency. He is also said to be considering which of his contacts around the league would be good fits as assistant GMs.