After a disappointing third-place finish in the National League East, the New York Mets made wholesale changes to their coaching staff and front office, relieving Luis Rojas of his managerial duties and recently parting ways with acting general manager Zack Scott.
The Mets also remain in search of a new president of baseball operations after opting not to fill the position last year. They still are in the process of assembling a list of potential candidates, so a hire doesn’t appear to be imminent at this time.
The Mets initially aimed high as they hoped to interview Oakland Athletics executive vice president Billy Beane, Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns and three-time World Series champion Theo Epstein, only to be rebuffed by all of them.
Several other candidates have since declined to interview for a front office position with the Mets, including Los Angeles Dodgers vice president and assistant general manager Jeff Kingston, per Andy Martino of SportsNet New York:
Yesterday, we reported Alderson was making a round of requests to interview assistant GM-types for GM. Mets won't divulge names but so far we dug up Dodgers' Jeff Kingston (not leaving LA, per source) and Twins' Daniel Adler. There are more but this gives you an idea of the type.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) October 29, 2021
The Dodgers hired Kingston in December 2018 on the heels of Farhan Zaidi leaving the organization to become the San Francisco Giants’ president of baseball operations.
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Kingston spent nine seasons in the Seattle Mariners front office. He additionally served as the San Diego Padres director of baseball operations for seven years.
Kingston reportedly was a candidate for the Philadelphia Phillies’ general manager opening last winter until they ultimately hired Dave Dombrowski to be their president of baseball operations.
Kingston also was a finalist for the L.A. Angels’ general manager vacancy before the organization completed its search by hiring Perry Minasian.
Gomes won’t leave Dodgers for Mets
The Mets’ search for a new executive to head their baseball operations extended to assistant general manager Brandon Gomes, but he declined to interview as well. Gomes instead may be promoted as the new Dodgers’ general manager, which hasn’t been filled since Zaidi departed three years ago.
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