Team confirms that Brodie Van Wagenen has agreed to become new general manager.
Agent Van Wagenen agrees to switch in roles
When the New York Mets went looking for a general manager, they found one in a peculiar place.
On the other side of the bargaining table.
Baseball agent Brodie Van Wagenen has agreed to switch roles and become GM of the Mets, team spokesman Harold Kaufman confirmed Monday.
Kaufman said chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and Van Wagenen have settled on contract terms, although no paperwork had been signed just yet. Details of the deal were not disclosed.
A news conference to introduce Van Wagenen is planned for Tuesday at Citi Field. He was chosen to replace Sandy Alderson, who took a leave in June following a recurrence of cancer. Alderson said the club’s poor performance did not merit him returning.
And so, at the start of a pivotal offseason, the Mets’ first pitch is a changeup.
The 44-year-old Van Wagenen is set to swap sides in labor relations. He has represented high-profile players all around the majors, including current Mets stars Jacob degrom, Yoenis Cespedes and Todd Frazier. He also represents Mets minor leaguer Tim Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback.
Van Wagenen has been co-head of CAA Baseball since 2010 and emerged as New York’s top choice for GM from a list of 10-12 initial candidates. He must leave his clients and give up his career as an agent to take the job.
Tampa Bay Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom was the other finalist. Kaufman said Bloom was informed the Mets decided to hire Van Wagenen.
Doug Melvin also had a second interview last week, meeting with Wilpon and his father, Mets owner Fred Wilpon. But the former Texas and Milwaukee general manager was told days ago he was no longer in the running.
Red Sox: In what has become a championship tradition in the city, the Boston Red Sox will climb aboard duck boats for a parade to celebrate the team’s fourth World Series title in 15 years, city officials announced Monday. The parade Wednesday will begin at 11 a.m. at Fenway Park. Athletics: Manager Bob Melvin received a long-term contract extension from the Oakland Athletics, who also reached new deals with executive vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane and general manager David Forst. Cardinals: Stubby Clapp, who managed the Tri-city Valleycats in 2011 and 2012, was hired as Mike Schildt’s first-base coach . ... Adam Wainwright finalized a $2 million, one-year contract that allows him to earn $8 million in performance bonuses as a starting pitcher, $3 million for relief appearances and $4 million more for games finished.
Diamondbacks: Arizona picked up first baseman Paul Goldschmidt’s 1-year, $14.5 million option.
Giants: Lefty Madison Bumgarner’s $12 million contract option for the 2019 season was exercised, along with third baseman Pablo Sandoval’s option for the $555,000 minimum.
Nationals: Washington exercised its $6 million option on closer Sean Doolittle. White Sox: Chicago declined its $16 million option on James Shields and exercised a $2 million buyout. It also exercised a $4.65 million option on reliever Nate Jones and reinstated right-hander Michael Kopech from the 60-day disabled list.