During his introductory press conference as President of Baseball Operations for the New York Mets, David Stearns spoke of working with general manager Billy Eppler. That will not happen.
Instead of working with Eppler, one of Stearns’ first jobs will be replacing him.
Eppler announced his resignation on Thursday amidst an investigation over the team’s use of the injured list.
“In a stunning development, Billy Eppler resigned Thursday as Mets general manager amid an ongoing Major League Baseball investigation into alleged improper uses of the injured list, Mike Puma, Joel Sherman, Jon Heyman and Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post reported. “MLB confirmed the problem to The Post. When MLB informed the Mets of the investigation, Eppler decided to resign rather than to potentially become a distraction to the new David Stearns administration.”
The reaction to this news was mixed.
Of course, there was a mindset that the Mets just can’t ever get out of their own way, regardless of who’s running the show. But there was also a mindset that Eppler and the Mets were being investigated for what’s become a fairly standard practice around the league.
https://t.co/47yU2G5ZLO pic.twitter.com/rubkLDMJLr
— Clem (@TheClemReport) October 6, 2023
We are about to begin a blood war of a series that will end with one team's and fan base's championship dreams being crushed by their hated rival, but until then, for the next 46 hours Braves and Phillies fans can join together in laughing at the Mets https://t.co/JKHFEnYEVb
— Steve Silver (@SteveTSRA) October 6, 2023
Every team does this https://t.co/gMAgsV9rfJ
— Bryan (@ThatGuyBry17) October 6, 2023
Eh, has been happening for years https://t.co/E4lUlwIxIG
— John Mincone (@JMincone) October 6, 2023
If Eppler is being investigated, I’m assuming they’re going to dissolve the Dodgers organization https://t.co/TuPwT1LUNQ
— Mets Daddy (@MetsDaddy2013) October 6, 2023
@MetsAvenue how many times did I say this year “oh how convenient he has back spasms or a neck issue?” Every team does this but ya gotta be not quite so obvious about it. https://t.co/6qUxg8re9U
— Jackie (@JJFan18) October 6, 2023
Eppler had been the team’s general manager since the end of the 2021 season. He helped oversee the offseason for the team that ended up winning 101 games in 2022, with the signing of Max Scherzer being the most notable move. The 2023 season was not nearly as successful as despite adding star Justin Verlander, the Mets regressed to 75-87. Eppler traded both Scherzer and Verlander at the 2023 deadline.
