Mets name ex-Angels GM Billy Eppler new general manager

Billy Eppler is the new general manager of the New York Mets, the team announced Thursday night.

Eppler, 46, previously spent five years as the general manager of the Los Angeles Angels, but was fired following the 2020 season. During his tenure, the Angels acquired stars like Anthony Rendon, Andrelton Simmons and 2021 American League MVP Shohei Ohtani. However, the team had a losing record in all five seasons and never made the postseason during Eppler's tenure.

Prior to his time with the Angels, Eppler was the assistant general manager and director of professional scouting for the New York Yankees.

“Over the past two decades, Billy has been a scout and an assistant GM. He’s also more than familiar with the New York Market. This uniquely qualifies him to lead our efforts going forward,” Mets president Sandy Alderson said in a statement. “He’s smart, he hustles and has a keen eye for identifying talent. He’s going to make us better. I am really pleased that we have someone of his caliber leading the Mets.”

The Mets fired general manager Jared Porter in January 2021, just over a month after hiring him for the position, after ESPN published an article that alleged Porter sexually harassed a female reporter. He was temporarily replaced by Zack Scott, but the Mets dismissed Scott earlier in November after he was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.

The Mets finished the 2021 season third place in the NL East with a 77-85 record. It was the fifth consecutive season the Mets missed the postseason.