Brewers' David Stearns, A's Billy Beane out of running for Mets' front office job

The New York Mets need a new president of baseball operations. They were linked with former Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs executive Theo Epstein, who ultimately decided along with Mets owner Steve Cohen that the opening was "not the right opportunity." 

It appears the Amazins missed out on a couple of other would-be candidates. 

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported on Monday that the Milwaukee Brewers denied the Mets permission to speak with David Stearns, Milwaukee's president of baseball operations, about their position. Stearns grew up a Mets fan in New York but still has one guaranteed year left on his contract. 

Additionally, MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal tweeted Monday afternoon that Oakland Athletics executive vice president Billy Beane withdrew his name from the Mets' search. Bob Nightengale of USA Today added: