Minaya was one of three execs who ran the Mets during the second half of this past season
Mets Special Assistant Omar Minaya, who rejoined the organization last season, is "set to become a top adviser" for new Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen, according to Mike Puma of the N.Y. POST. Mets Senior VP/Baseball Operations & Assistant GM John Ricco and Special Assistant J.P. Ricciardi have been "told they are wanted back, but there is no indication as of yet if those offers will be accepted." Minaya, Ricco and Ricciardi "served as the triumvirate running the Mets in the second half of last season, after GM Sandy Alderson stepped aside to focus on his health" (NYPOST.com, 11/1). NBCSPORTS.com's Craig Calcaterra notes Ricco was already "strongly considering leaving the organization once a new GM was hired." Given that he is now, effectively, being "stepped over for even the second spot on the org chart in favor of a guy who was fired by the team several years ago would seem to make that all but certain." At the very least it "renders the Mets' brass' desire to see him remain in place rather ridiculous." While Minaya's "shortcomings as the Mets' GM were well-documented, it's quite possible that he'll do well in a supporting role, especially given Van Wagenen’s inexperience" (NBCSPORTS.com, 11/1). SNY's Andy Martino writes if Ricco "does decide to move on," 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" (SNY.tv, 11/1).
MIXED BAG: In N.Y., Kristie Ackert notes Van Wagenen has "set the stage for his regime," but reaction to an agent taking a GM role has been "mixed." Sources from around the industry said that they were "open to the ideas" Van Wagenen has presented thus far, but "wanted to see how he would carry them out." One agent source said that he "doesn't see how the Mets could address all the possible conflicts of interest Van Wagenen faces." The source said, "The two biggest negotiations that the Mets will have to make for their future are (Ps Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard) and their new GM can't be a part of that? That's just ... weird." A second agent source said there will be some who "will have a hard time" working with Van Wagenen at first. The agent: "But I've got to for my clients' sake" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/1).
TRUST THE PROCESS? In N.Y., Joel Sherman notes Van Wagenen as an agent was "able to work" with Mets COO Jeff Wilpon to "get deals for many of his clients -- the Mets have been Team CAA -- and the two have a convivial Darien/Greenwich, Conn., relationship." But it is "one thing to pitch your players when there are 29 other potential shoppers and another to have one boss -- or in the Mets' case, two," with Chair & CEO Fred Wilpon the other (N.Y. POST, 11/1). THE RINGER's Michael Baumann wrote regardless of "precedent or written rules, or whether he'll do a good job, Van Wagenen's hiring is troubling." Either Van Wagenen, by "seeking out the job," or the Wilpon family, by "recruiting him, undermined the player-agent relationship" (THERINGER.com, 10/31). CBSSN's Gregg Giannotti said there is a "feel" around the Mets now with Van Wagenen, because of "who he is and how the Wilpons are so excited to have him there." Van Wagenen is a "big money guy" and is "going to go out and spend a ton of money and the Mets are going to be at the top of baseball again." Giannotti: "There is a legitimate optimism about what the Mets could do in this offseason via free agency" ("Boomer & Gio," CBSSN, 11/1).
