Another "Shocking" Change For the New York Mets

It was a disappointing season in Queens, to say the least. The New York Mets, despite spending about half a billion in offseason additions, finished well below .500 and far out of the playoffs. The axe has already come down on manager Buck Showalter, and a new president of baseball operations, David Stearns has taken over. But now, another huge change, as general manager Billy Eppler has decided to step down. 

"This is not something that was pre-ordained. This is not something that was expected. This is not something that there were even rumblings of."@martinonyc on Billy Eppler stepping down as Mets GM: https://t.co/2vthGwT9Om pic.twitter.com/2VlPf7LLsq

— SNY (@SNYtv) October 5, 2023

Eppler was set to work under Stearns as the No. 2 in baseball operations. But that role will now have to be filled. 

“I wanted David to have a clean slate and that meant me stepping down," said Eppler. "I hope for nothing but the best for the entire Mets organization.”

And as noted by Mets insider Andy Martino, the move comes as a complete surprise to all involved.  

"This is not something that was pre-ordained. This is not something that was expected. This is not something that there were even rumblings of."

Martino calls it "shocking", "really the complete opposite of what everyone expected... Steve Cohen values Eppler and really wanted him to be part of this team."

As for who could take over the GM's role, that has not yet been decided. Ian Levin and Ben Zauzmer are the Mets' two assistant general managers,  while Jonathan Strangio was hired by Eppler as senior vice president of baseball operations a year and a half ago. 

“Billy Eppler led this team through a 101-win season and postseason berth last year and he will be missed,” Mets owner Steve Cohen said in a statement. “On behalf of the Mets organization, we wish him all the best.”

Photo: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports