MLB
Mets Name Brodie Van Wagenen New General Manager
Earlier today, the Mets have agreed to make Brodie Van Wagenen their new head of baseball operations. Van Wagenen, 44, is the co-head of the baseball division at CAA Sports; a sports agency located in California. He has represented a few key Mest players in the past including Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes, and Todd Frazier. In the running, the Mets also had former-Brewers GM Doug Melvin and Rays Senior VP Chaim Bloom for the job. However, the Mets chose Van Wagenen, and this decision will come with some controversy for Mets fans.
Controversy About Hiring Van Wagenen
With Van Wagenen being a baseball agent, fans and players can’t help but raise speculation about the new GM. The hiring has raised much concern among several players who feel what Van Wagenen knows about them could be used against them in contract negotiations. Tony Clark, director of the MLB Player’s Association stated, “I won’t tell you how many calls or how many texts I have gotten. I will simply suggest to you that our membership is paying attention.” The way Van Wagenen negotiates contracts with players will be watched very closely by the MLBPA to ensure there is fair play on his end.
Did the Mets Find Who They Were Looking For?
Earlier in the season, Sandy Alderson’s cancer came back and ended his tenure with the Mets. He decided to not return to the position following his leave. After this, one thing Mets fans wanted in their new GM was an outside hire. Fans did not want someone already in the organization and wanted a new/fresh face running the Mets. They got what they wanted. Brodie Van Wagenen brings that fresh new face the Mets with plenty of baseball experience. But does he fit what the Mets and their fans are looking for? We will find out this off-season, and in 2019, with acquisitions he makes, and how he decides to run baseball operations for the New York Mets.
Photo Credit to Rob Mintzes via Flickr
