Chris Young has pulled his name out of consideration for the New York Mets’ vacant general manager job, as first reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post on Monday.
The 41-year-old, who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s vice president of on-field operations, reportedly was unwilling to relocate to New York for the job. He currently lives in Dallas with his family that includes three children ages 12, 10, and 8.
Young interviewed for the Mets job last week as the first known candidate for the position. This coming just days after team president Sandy Alderson disclosed that the Mets would no longer be looking to hire a president of baseball operations, just a general manager.
The Mets’ search to round out their front office under new owner Steve Cohen and Alderson has proven to be more of a challenge than initially expected.
Alderson cited a lack of access to their desired candidates as the main reason for calling off their search for a president of baseball operations, though he revealed that the team has interviewed approximately six candidates for the GM role.
Still, the Mets are entering the heat of the offseason that traditionally sees a majority of big moves without that final, big hire.
“I’m a little surprised we haven’t been able to find people for the front office,” Cohen said during an interview with SNY on Wednesday. “I thought it would be a little easier than it’s been. Baseball is kind of funny where you have to ask for permission.”
Cohen’s big picture that includes the desire to win a World Series title in three-to-five years could be creating some pause amongst potential candidates.
According to SNY’s Andy Martino, “talk among some potential Mets candidates Cohen’s comment about a title in 3-5 years was scary.”
“Maybe Cohen doesn’t want people who would shy away from this, so whatever. But in the industry, it was eye-raising.”
