Source: Mets add two more names to GM search

The Mets’ search for a general manager, quietly moving through the baseball world, is approaching resolution, with the field of finalists believed to feature at least five candidates.

An industry source confirmed that a pair of assistant GMs, Jared Porter of the Diamondbacks and Zack Scott of the Red Sox, join the previously reported Michael Hill, most recently the Marlins’ president of baseball operations, and Athletics assistant GM Billy Owens as applicants who have advanced to this stage. The MLB Network’s Jon Heyman first reported that Porter and Scott were in the mix.

A second source said there was at least one additional candidate.

In a process that has lasted more than a month — it began with a quest to find a president of baseball operations and then downshifted to the pursuit of a GM — the Mets, who have played their cards very close to the vest, aim to make their hire by the holidays. So a choice by next week is very possible.

Porter has worked for the Diamondbacks since the fall of 2016 after spending 13 months with the Cubs, a run that included their championship 2016 season. He worked for the Red Sox from 2004-15. A Minnesota native who grew up in Massachusetts, Porter also is in the running to rejoin the Cubs as their GM.

Scott has spent 17 seasons with the Red Sox. This past season, he oversaw the team’s baseball analytics, baseball systems, and pro scouting departments. Just on Friday, as Dave Dombrowski held a Zoom news conference to announce his hiring as the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, the ultra-accomplished Dom brow ski credited Scott for dramatically improving Boston’s analytics department during his time running the Bosox.

An industry source confirmed that the Mets are bringing back popular lefty reliever Jerry Blevins on a minor league contract.

Blevins, 37, didn’t pitch last season after spending the pre-shutdown spring training with the Giants (who released him during the shutdown). With the Mets from 2015 through 2018, he tallied a 3.38 ERA in 219 games. If he makes the Mets, he would earn a salary of $1.25 million. USA Today first reported the signing.