Former pitcher Chris Young has interviewed for the New York Mets’ general manager job, according to the New York Post’s Mike Puma on Wednesday.
The 41-year-old, who spent 14 seasons as a player, transitioned to Major League Baseball’s front office where he currently works as vice president overseeing on-field operations and the umpiring departments.
Young carries a highly-regarded reputation, possessing an impressive baseball mind that many deem as a logical candidate to work in a team’s front office. He also has a history with Mets president Sandy Alderson, who signed Young to pitch in New York from 2011-2012.
A lack of legitimate front-office experience when it comes to a general manager role is a contradiction of what new Mets owner Steve Cohen spoke on during his introductory press conference, voicing his apprehension of having people “learning on my dime.”
Young’s high baseball IQ and his experience working with the league, however, could provide an opportunity for Alderson to groom the former hurler into an ideal candidate that would ascend through the Mets’ ranks.
During his press conference on Monday, Alderson said that he is looking for a candidate who could transition into the role of president of baseball operations — a position the Mets opted to stop looking for this offseason after they were unable to secure their top targets.
“What we would like to do is find someone who is general manager who is capable of growing into the other role [president of baseball operations],” Alderson said.
He also disclosed that the Mets have already interviewed around six candidates for their GM role, though no other names have been disclosed as of yet.
Tampa Bay Rays special assistant to the general manager, Bobby Heck, is reportedly not a candidate for the role, according to SNY’s Andy Martino, after his name gained considerable momentum in recent weeks.
