Billy Eppler resigns as GM of the Mets

Billy Eppler oversaw the Mets for two full seasons

In what really serves as no surprise, Billy Eppler has resigned as GM of the Mets, the club announced on Thursday.

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

Eppler’s resignation comes almost immediately after the club announced David Stearns as their new President of Baseball Operations and after a grossly disappointing 75-87 season in 2023.

Along with Mets owner and CEO Steve Cohen, Eppler helped create a $376 million payroll in 2023, an MLB record before the luxury tax is applied. Sandwiched into that figure was a team which was clearly incapable of adapting and adjusting to the new rules, a bullpen which lacked depth and wide-ranging major league credibility if Edwin Díaz had been healthy throughout the season.

"Billy Eppler led this team through a 101-win season and postseason berth last year and he will be missed," Mets Owner, Chairman and CEO Steve Cohen said. "We accepted Billy's resignation today as he decided it is in everyone's best interest to fully hand over the leadership of Baseball Operations to David Stearns. On behalf of the Mets organization, we wish him all the best."

In the end, as Eppler put it himself, this is probably for the best even if Eppler had previously stated he would be more than willing and able to work in this role under whoever Mr. Cohen ultimately hired above him. With the installation of Stearns, Eppler was in an awkward place in the organization, especially after overseeing arguably the most disappointing season in club history.

Even so, this presents another challenge for Stearns as he looks to build out his org chart, as Stearns now must not only find a manager and perhaps an entire field staff, but a new general manager and surrounding staff as well.

In his two years as the club’s general manager, the Mets went 176-148 with one playoff win, that coming against their loss to the Padres in the 2022 National League Wild Card series.

The Mets will be searching for their sixth general manager since Sandy Alderson stepped down from the role in 2018, who held the role for eight seasons. Alderson did assume that role on an interim basis in 2021 before hiring Eppler, who succeeded Zack Scott and Jared Porter under the ownership of Mr. Cohen. Brodie Van Wagenen was hired to be the club’s GM after the 2018 season, and left before the 2021 season when Mr. Cohen purchased the club.