Theo Epstein will not be joining the New York Mets as president of baseball operations, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
After speaking with Mets owner Steve Cohen, Epstein reportedly removed himself from consideration and opted to remain in his current advisory role with Major League Baseball.
According to the New York Post, it wasn’t the right fit because Epstein “wants his next job to be where he puts a group together to buy a team and start from the ground floor.”
Epstein, 47, is best known for helping both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs end lengthy World Series droughts while working in front-office roles.
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He worked for Boston from 2002-11 and for Chicago from 2011-20. He stepped down as president of the Cubs at the end of the 2020 season.
With Epstein out, the Mets’ remaining short list of candidates reportedly includes Oakland Athletics executive vice president Billy Beane and Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns. Beane and Mets president Sandy Alderson have a shared history from when the latter worked for two stints in Oakland.
The Mets are attempting a crucial rebuild this winter after a 77-85 showing in 2021. New York declined the 2022 option on manager Luis Rojas’ contract Monday after missing the playoffs for a fifth straight season.
The Mets fired general manager Jared Porter in January after he admitted to sending explicit text messages to female journalists.
Then, in early September, acting general manager Zack Scott was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated.
–Field Level Media