New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler has resigned after two seasons on the job, the club announced Thursday. According to the New York Post, Eppler resigned amid an investigation by Major League Baseball over “alleged improper use of the injured list.”
Eppler, 48, had been the Mets’ GM since November 2021 and helped build the team that won 101 games and reached the playoffs in 2022. However, that season the Mets were a major disappointment as they went 75-87 and finished in fourth place in the National League East despite having the highest payroll in MLB history.
Eppler’s resignation comes not long after former Brewers manager David Stearns was introduced as the Mets’ president of baseball operations and new chief decision maker.
“Billy Eppler led this team to 101 regular season and postseason victories last year and we will miss him,” Mets owner Steve Cohen said in the statement released by the team. “We accepted Billy’s resignation today as he has decided it is in everyone’s best interest to hand over full control of baseball operations to David Stearns. On behalf of the Mets organization, we wish him all the best.”
“I wanted David [Stearns] “I wanted a clean slate and that meant resigning,” Eppler said in the same statement. “I hope only the best for the entire Mets organization.”
Given Eppler’s presence at Stearns’ opening press conference, the decision comes as a surprise. This may be explained by the league’s investigation mentioned above.
While Stearns and the Mets will likely replace Eppler at some point, it is not an urgent matter as Stearns is already at the helm of baseball operations.
Eppler previously served as GM of the Angels but was fired in 2020 after five seasons. Buck Showalter left his role as Mets manager at the end of the regular season, meaning Stearns can have a hand-picked leader in the dugout and his top lieutenant in the front office.