Sandy Alderson called year-long GM search “exhaustive” on Friday as he introduced new Mets GM Billy Eppler

Perhaps to put it mildly, given the disastrous hires and layoffs of Eppler’s two immediate predecessors, Jared Porter and Zack Scott, both due to off-court issues.

Alderson said despite the appearance of desperation, the Mets only offered the job to one person – Eppler – this time around.

And he insisted the process of “vetting was broader and deeper than any background check process we’ve ever known.” ”

The process has led to alliances with many executives, some in line to be president of baseball operations, others seen as GM candidates.

Owner Steve Cohen acknowledged the difficulties in finding people to come to New York City, regardless of the role.

“I think that [are] many reasons people decide they’re just not available, ” Cohen said, noting that potential candidates were comfortable where they were or didn’t want to move to New York due to fears of COVID.

“I put a lot of time into this,” Cohen said of the research. “It’s a relief to get someone that I feel really good about. … We are incredibly comfortable with Billy and his decision-making, ethics and integrity ”.

Part of the “due diligence” included reviewing other areas, since Eppler led the Angels when pitcher Tyler Skaggs died in June 2019 at the team hotel of a fentanyl mix, of oxycodone and alcohol, the opioids allegedly supplied to him by Angels media. -responsible for relations. The case is still in dispute.

The Angels also hired former manager Mickey Callaway as Mets their pitching coach while Eppler was GM. Callaway was in Anaheim for a season before The Athletic exposed many inappropriate messages he sent to female journalists throughout his coaching and managerial career. Major League Baseball has suspended Callaway as part of the 2022 campaign for sexual harassment.

“Billy is just one person in the organization,” Cohen said.

On the court, the Angels finished under 0.500 in each of Eppler’s five seasons.

The 46-year-old brought Eppler to “a convergence of circumstances” which led to the disappointing record, including an impoverished farming system, some bad contracts already on the roster, significant injuries to key players and a few free agency misses. .

“My biggest takeaway [from the Angels job] is the importance of depth, ” Eppler said.

He signed a four-year contract to be the chief executive, but Alderson said Eppler would have the chance to prove he could be the chief decision maker in the coming year.

“There is an opportunity here for a year, at least, to establish yourself, to reach a point where we cannot do, even for the search within a year for an additional person above the role of CEO , “” Said Alderson. “Steve and I take a look at this at the end of the season. ”

Alderson added Eppler will report to him for now, but “I think Billy will lead this operation.” ”

“It’s not necessarily a one-person job,” said Eppler, who would have a role in the potential search for another executive.

Cohen said he learned a lot in his first year as owner of the Mets, including, “If you’re going to be number one for 109 days, try to do it at the end of the season. It would be helpful.

Although Cohen had a small stake in the Mets before buying the Wilpons team, he said he was “just getting to grips with baseball. There are a lot of moving parts.

But Cohen insists he’s not going to be too involved in decision-making when it comes to staff.

“My job is to provide the resources to find the people who can run these areas with Sandy,” Cohen says. “Then let them do their thing. It’s not my job to dictate who the players are going to be.

The Mets have added infielders Ronny Mauricio and Mark Vientos, as well as right-hangers Jose Butto and Adam Oller to the 40-man roster. Right-hander Dedniel Nunez was fired from the Giants in the Mets organization and added to the Triple-A Syracuse. Nunez was chosen by San Francisco in the Section 5 Draft last year.