In N.Y., Joel Sherman cites a source as saying that new Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen's "four-year contract" with the team is for $10M. Another source said the contract was "right in that ballpark" without confirming the exact amount (N.Y. POST, 11/6). Also in N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote the Mets' hire of Van Wagenen makes it "clear the team has its first made-for-TV GM." Van Wagenen is "not easily rattled," and he is "already the face of the franchise." However, this "hardly guarantees he will fulfill his mission of quickly making the Mets winners." Van Wagenen has the "skills to spin the Mets out of any mess" the Wilpon family may get in "during the course of a long season" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/5).
THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS: In S.F., John Shea reports the Giants are "targeting Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi to become their next baseball boss," but it is "not clear if the Giants have made an offer or if Zaidi would accept" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 11/6). Meanwhile, Giants Assistant GM Jeremy Shelley is representing the franchise at the GM meetings, and NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic called it a "good opportunity" for Shelley, who is "very well respected." There are people "around the game who hope that he stays with the organization and has a bigger voice going forward" ("The Happy Hour," NBC Sports Bay Area, 11/5).
LESS WAS MORE: In Cleveland, Terry Pluto noted though the Indians' payroll was at a "franchise record" $134M in '18, attendance was "flat." However, team revenue was "up slightly." Indians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti "hates to talk about budgets and payroll." This is a "turnoff to fans," and Antonetti "knows it can sound like an excuse." The Indians have "built a winner with a payroll that was in the bottom" 25% of MLB until '18. The team was "middle of the pack" this past season (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 11/4).
