There’s some good old fashion royal court drama afoot with the New York Mets.
As everyone knows, sports agent Brodie Van Wagenen is the new general manager, replacing Sandy Alderson. For several years, John Ricco has been the Mets assistant general manager and in recent years former Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi has been a top assistant as well. Neither of those two were finalists for the Mets GM job.
Also not a finalist for the job was Omar Minaya. Minaya, you recall, was the Mets’ general manager himself from 2005-2010. He rejoined the organization last season as a special assistant. After Sandy Alderson stepped down, he, Ricco and Ricciardi served as co-GMs for all practical purposes.
Stepping over all of them to hire Van Wagenen was likely to cause them to reevaluate their professional futures as it was, but now it seems like there is even more reason for Ricco and Riccardi to do so:
Omar Minaya is set to become a top adviser for Brodie Van Wagenen, giving the new Mets GM an experienced voice in the room on important decisions. John Ricco and J.P. Ricciardi have also been told they are wanted back. It’s their call if they return.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) November 1, 2018
As Andy Martino reports, 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. I mean, what are they possibly offering him to stay other than a diminished role?
I’m not suggesting Minaya is not worth holding on to. While his 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. But I do wonder if, as everyone always says whenever his name is mentioned, Ricco is well-respected and valuable, why the Mets decision makers seem so committed to pushing him out the door.