Andy Martino, SNY.tv | Twitter |
In the wake of Sandy Alderson's devastating cancer news, the Mets organization was left with the shock of sudden change. Alderson left Citi Field before Tuesday's game, his time as GM over in an instant. This is a leave of absence in name only.
On Tuesday morning, Mets staffers reported to an office still haunted by the emotion of the previous day, and missing its leader of eight years. But baseball business had to go on, in this case under interim leaders John Ricco, Omar Minaya, and J.P. Ricciardi.
According to interviews with a half-dozen people with knowledge of the situation, here is how the dynamic will work, and how the team will move forward long-term.
- For the next several months, Ricciardi will focus much of his attention on pro scouting and the major leagues, as he was already doing. Minaya will emphasize his strengths with player development, international, and amateur scouting. They will both work with Ricco in devising general strategy. Ricco will continue to be active in talking with other clubs, and overseeing all aspects of baseball ops.
- Before making a trade or other major move, a GM will typically go to ownership for approval. In this case, all three interims will need to bring a recommendation to their bosses, or at least agree on a move before ownership signs off. This is similar to the open, collaborative way that Alderson ran the front office, where he would include Ricco, Ricciardi and others in conversations with ownership, and encourage debate and discussion.
- Starting in August or September, the Mets will begin due diligence in a wide-ranging GM search. An interview process is likely in October.
- There are a lot of different opinions about Ricco's chances to earn the GM job. I genuinely believe that ownership hasn't yet decided on his future. Alderson is on record endorsing Ricco, but this is obviously not his decision.
- All three interims will be public-facing, available to the media, and visible around the team. All will be hands on with Mickey Callaway, trying to help the new manager accelerate his learning curve.
- A note on Callaway: Though Alderson was his biggest advocate, and others in the organization have bristled at some of his in-game moves and public comments, it seems that he will have a chance to prove he can grow into the job. With so much uncertainty at higher levels of the organization, it's hard to handicap the manager's chances of staying. Frankly, it doesn't seem front-burner at the moment.
- Expect a very active trading season. The three interims have been charged with thinking creatively and being aggressive. It seems like a longshot that the team would trade Jacob deGrom, but they'd listen to anything. Free-agents-to-be like Jeurys Familia could go soon, as could players who we haven't mentioned. The front office could cook up ideas that will surprise us. It won't be boring.