Mendoza will continue in her role as an analyst for ESPN despite joining the Mets' front officeESPN IMAGES
The Mets hired ESPN's Jessica Mendoza as a Baseball Operations Advisor, and she will focus on "player evaluation, roster construction, technological advancement and health and performance," according to the N.Y. Post's Joel Sherman. Mendoza will continue in her role with ESPN. Sherman tweeted the most interesting take from Mets Exec VP & GM Brodie Van Wagenen on Mendoza's hire was that he was an "outside the box" GM, and he is "determined with his front office not to be constrained by previous ways of operating." Van Wagenen knew of Mendoza because of their "shared Stanford background," but only since she joined ESPN and began being repped by CAA, his old company, did he "get to know her." He actually "consulted with her" before taking Mets job about her thoughts on it (TWITTER.com, 3/5). In N.Y., Mark Sanchez writes Mendoza is an "outside-the-box hire, and how she balances working for a team and a network will be interesting to see" (NYPOST.com, 3/5).
CONFLICT OF INTEREST? NBCSPORTS.com's Craig Calcaterra writes Mendoza's hire is an "interesting move." She is "qualified for the job," but there are "at least some legitimate questions about conflict of interest." Calcaterra: "I'm not sure how someone can both work for a team in a substantive capacity and be an analyst who [is] expected to be critical of other teams or, in some cases, the Mets themselves." Mendoza "wouldn't be the first broadcaster in this situation," as her booth-mate Alex Rodriguez "works for the Yankees." ESPN's David Ross also "works for the Cubs." ESPN and other nets "seem totally cool viewing broadcasters through an entertainment lens as opposed to a journalistic lens and that has been the case for a while" (NBCSPORTS.com, 3/5). SNY's Andy Martino tweeted it is "good to be mindful of potential conflicts of interest, but also of gender double standards." Why should Mendoza "be the one to draw a line" when many others "have similar opportunities?" (TWITTER.com, 3/5).
ADVISOR TEAM, ASSEMBLE: The Mets named former YES Network analyst Al Leiter Baseball Operations Advisor. Leiter will "serve as aid for scouting and player development and focus on mental preparation for pitchers at every level of the organization." The Mets also promoted Team Ambassador John Franco to Baseball Operations Advisor (NYPOST.com, 3/4).
