NEW YORK (AP) — At first, the New York Mets reached out to Brodie Van Wagenen simply for recommendations.Preparing to begin a general manager search last summer, Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon already had a long relationship with Van Wagenen and figured the powerful player agent could offer some quality candidates thanks to his vast network of contacts developed during nearly two decades of negotiations.Turned out, the more they talked, Wilpon started to think Van Wagenen himself was the right man for the job — despite his unorthodox background.And when Wilpon late in the season suggested Van Wagenen switch sides at the bargaining table to take over the Mets' baseball operations, Van Wagenen was intrigued. They discussed all the parameters over a private breakfast, and an atypical idea soon became a reality."I recognize I am not the path of least resistance," Van Wagenen said Tuesday.At a crowded news conference in a sprawling club area on the fifth floor of Citi Field, the 44-year-old... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — When the New York Mets went looking for a general manager, they found one in a peculiar place.On the other side of the bargaining table.Longtime baseball agent Brodie Van Wagenen is switching roles to become GM of the Mets, the team announced Monday evening. Contract details were not disclosed."Brodie is an extremely knowledgeable, creative, progressive and collaborative leader, who I'm confident will lead us toward sustainable success," Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said in a statement. "I'm very excited for our fans to hear and see the direction Brodie outlined for us."A news conference to introduce Van Wagenen was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at Citi Field. He was chosen by Wilpon and his father, Mets owner Fred Wilpon, to replace Sandy Alderson, who took a leave in June following a recurrence of cancer. Alderson said the club's poor performance did not merit him returning.And so, at the start of a pivotal offseason, the Mets' first pitch is a changeup."I'm... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — When the New York Mets went looking for a general manager, they found one in a peculiar place.On the other side of the bargaining table.Baseball agent Brodie Van Wagenen has agreed to switch roles and become GM of the Mets, team spokesman Harold Kaufman confirmed Monday.Kaufman said chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and Van Wagenen have settled on contract terms, although no paperwork had been signed just yet. Details of the deal were not disclosed.A news conference to introduce Van Wagenen is planned for Tuesday at Citi Field. He was chosen to replace Sandy Alderson, who took a leave in June following a recurrence of cancer. Alderson said the club's poor performance did not merit him returning.And so, at the start of a pivotal offseason, the Mets' first pitch is a changeup.The 44-year-old Van Wagenen is set to swap sides in labor relations. He has represented high-profile players all around the majors, including current Mets stars Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes and Todd... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets say baseball agent Brodie Van Wagenen has agreed to become their general manager.Team spokesman Harold Kaufman confirmed Monday morning that chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and Van Wagenen have settled on terms of a contract, although no paperwork had been signed yet.Details of the deal were not disclosed.A news conference to introduce Van Wagenen is planned for Tuesday at Citi Field. He was chosen to replace Sandy Alderson, who took a leave of absence in late June following a recurrence of cancer. Alderson said the team's poor record did not merit him returning.In an unusual move, the 44-year-old Van Wagenen is set to switch sides at the bargaining table. He has represented high-profile players all around the majors, including Mets stars Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes and Todd Frazier.Van Wagenen must leave his clients and give up his career as an agent to take the GM job.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — In a surprising twist to their search for a general manager, the New York Mets were getting closer to completing a deal with high-profile agent Brodie Van Wagenen, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Saturday.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing.The 44-year-old Van Wagenen has been co-head of CAA Baseball since 2010 and emerged as the team's top choice for GM from a list of 10-12 original candidates. He appears set to switch sides at the bargaining table after representing several Mets stars including Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes and Todd Frazier.Tampa Bay Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom also was a finalist and remains a possibility, according to the person. An announcement is expected shortly after the World Series — but no sooner than Tuesday.Doug Melvin also had a second interview with ownership this week, but the former Texas and Milwaukee general manager was told... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press the New York Mets and Brodie Van Wagenen are getting closer to completing a deal that would make the high-profile agent the team's next general manager.The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Saturday night because negotiations were ongoing.The 44-year-old Van Wagenen appears set to switch sides after representing several Mets stars including Jacob deGrom, Yoenis Cespedes and Todd Frazier, among others.Van Wagenen has been co-head of CAA Baseball since 2010 and emerged as the club's top choice for GM from a list of 10-12 original candidates.Tampa Bay Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom also was a finalist and remains a possibility, according to the person. An announcement is expected shortly after the World Series — but no earlier than Tuesday.Doug Melvin also had a second interview with ownership this week, but the former Texas and Milwaukee general manager was told he is no longer in the running.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has undergone heel surgery, the second of two foot operations the team hopes will enable him to return at some point next year.The team said Friday the operation to remove bone calcification in the left heel was done in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Robert Anderson also operated on Cespedes' right heel Aug. 2.The 33-year-old slugger was limited to 38 games this year and hit .262 with nine homers and 29 RBIs. He missed two months after a May 13 game at Philadelphia with what the Mets said was a strained right hip flexor. He homered at the New York Yankees in his return July 20, then surprised the Mets after that game by revealing the foot issues.Five days later, the Mets said Cespedes was going to have surgery on both feet. Assistant general manager John Ricco said then that Cespedes was likely to need eight to 10 months to recover.Cespedes' latest operation came one day after the Mets announced minor league right-hander Franklyn Kilome had... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has undergone heel surgery, the second of two foot operations the team hopes will enable him to return at some point next year.The team said Friday the operation to remove bone calcification in the left heel was done in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Robert Anderson also operated on Cespedes' right heel Aug. 2.The 33-year-old slugger was limited to 38 games this year and hit .262 with nine homers and 29 RBIs. He missed two months after a May 13 game at Philadelphia with what the Mets said was a strained right hip flexor. He homered at the New York Yankees in his return July 20, then surprised the Mets after that game by revealing the foot issues.Five days later, the Mets said Cespedes was going to have surgery on both feet. Assistant general manager John Ricco said then that Cespedes was likely to need eight to 10 months to recover.Cespedes' latest operation came one day after the Mets announced minor league right-hander Franklyn Kilomé had... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has undergone heel surgery, the second of two foot operations the team hopes will enable him to return at some point next year.The team said Friday the operation to remove bone calcification in the left heel was done in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Robert Anderson also operated on Cespedes' right heel Aug. 2.The 33-year-old slugger was limited to 38 games this year and hit .262 with nine homers and 29 RBIs. He missed two months after a May 13 game at Philadelphia with what the Mets said was a strained right hip flexor. He homered at the New York Yankees in his return July 20, then surprised the Mets after that game by revealing the foot issues.Five days later, the Mets said Cespedes was going to have surgery on both feet. Assistant general manager John Ricco said then that Cespedes was likely to need eight to 10 months to recover.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has undergone heel surgery, the second of two foot operations the team hopes will enable him to return at some point next year.The team said Friday the operation to remove bone calcification in the left heel was done in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Robert Anderson also operated on Cespedes' right heel Aug. 2.The 33-year-old slugger was limited to 38 games this year and hit .262 with nine homers and 29 RBIs. He missed two months after a May 13 game at Philadelphia with what the Mets said was a strained right hip flexor. He homered at the New York Yankees in his return July 20, then surprised the Mets after that game by revealing the foot issues.Five days later, the Mets said Cespedes was going to have surgery on both feet. Assistant general manager John Ricco said then that Cespedes was likely to need eight to 10 months to recover.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A look at what's happening around the major leagues today:FENWAY FRESHMANDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will pitch at Fenway Park for the first time when he starts Game 1 of the World Series against the Red Sox. The oldest park in the majors has a lot of quirks that can present many challenges for newcomers, but Kershaw says he's focusing on Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and the lineup of a team that won 108 games.The Dodgers haven't played an interleague game at Fenway since 2010, meaning Yasiel Puig, Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy will be getting their first looks on the field. The team took turns Monday throwing balls at a small, square space in the Green Monster, a little fun target practice while waiting for the real games to begin.Game 1 should be a cold one. Forecasts call for the temperature to be around 50 degrees for the 8:09 p.m. first pitch, and it will cool off during the game to the high 40s. There is a 50-50 chance of rain during the afternoon, but it is expected to pass by game... [More]

A look at what's happening around the major leagues Tuesday:FENWAY FRESHMANDodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will pitch at Fenway Park for the first time when he starts Game 1 of the World Series against the Red Sox. The oldest park in the majors has a lot of quirks that can present many challenges for newcomers, but Kershaw says he's focusing on Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and the lineup of a team that won 108 games.The Dodgers haven't played an interleague game at Fenway since 2010, meaning Yasiel Puig, Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy will be getting their first looks on the field. The team took turns Monday throwing balls at a small, square space in the Green Monster, a little fun target practice while waiting for the real games to begin.Game 1 should be a cold one. Forecasts call for the temperature to be around 50 degrees for the 8:09 p.m. first pitch, and it will cool off during the game to the high 40s. There is a 50-50 chance of rain during the afternoon, but it is expected to pass by game... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Agent Brodie Van Wagenen interviewed Monday to switch sides and become general manager of the New York Mets and is among three finalists along with former Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin and Tampa Bay senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom.The 44-year-old Van Wagenen has been co-head of CAA Baseball since 2010 and is familiar to the Mets as the representative for Yoenis Cespedes and others."In my role as an agent, my solution is to create opportunities for players to be successful both on and off the field," Van Wagenen said. "My conversations with the Mets continue to be organic. I believe baseball is better when the Mets are competitive and successful."Sandy Alderson has been general manager since October 2010 but took a leave of absence in July when cancer recurred and said the team's poor record did not justify returning. The team's baseball decisions have been made by the trio of assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants Omar Minaya and J.P. Ricciardi, all reporting to chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and his father, owner Fred Wilpon."As Jeff and Fred continue their search for a new head of baseball operations, the players, fans and entire organization will be motivated to have a leader with the skills and commitment to win," Van Wagenen said. "If the Wilpons believe I am that person, we will have that conversation."___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Agent Brodie Van Wagenen interviewed Monday to switch sides and become general manager of the New York Mets and is among three finalists along with former Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin and Tampa Bay senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom.The 44-year-old Van Wagenen has been co-head of CAA Baseball since 2010 and is familiar to the Mets as the representative for Yoenis Cespedes and others."In my role as an agent, my solution is to create opportunities for players to be successful both on and off the field," Van Wagenen said. "My conversations with the Mets continue to be organic. I believe baseball is better when the Mets are competitive and successful."Sandy Alderson has been general manager since October 2010 but took a leave of absence in July when cancer recurred and said the team's poor record did not justify returning. The team's baseball decisions have been made by the trio of assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants Omar Minaya and J.P. Ricciardi, all reporting to chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and his father, owner Fred Wilpon."As Jeff and Fred continue their search for a new head of baseball operations, the players, fans and entire organization will be motivated to have a leader with the skills and commitment to win," Van Wagenen said. "If the Wilpons believe I am that person, we will have that conversation."___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — On the final day of an emotionally draining season, Mickey Callaway knew exactly how to describe what he just went through with the New York Mets."It's been a roller-coaster ride," the rookie manager said. "There definitely were highs and lows."New York said goodbye to captain David Wright, general manager Sandy Alderson and former ace Matt Harvey.Jacob deGrom delivered a Cy Young-caliber performance that went to waste.Zack Wheeler and Brandon Nimmo had breakout years. Yoenis Cespedes and Jay Bruce got derailed by injuries. Harvey, Jeurys Familia and Asdrubal Cabrera were traded away.There was pain and frustration. There was pride in deGrom. There were electric nights and empty seats at Citi Field.And a sizzling start was wiped out by June, making the solid finish a formality.At the end of it all, the Mets went 77-85 and came in fourth in the NL East. It was a seven-win improvement over last year, but a second consecutive losing season marked a major disappointment for a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Yoenis Cespedes is scheduled for his second heel surgery in a few weeks, but the oft-injured New York Mets slugger says he can't yet predict how much he'll be able to play next season.Cespedes had surgery Aug. 2 performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Wisconsin to remove bone calcification in his right heel, the first of two operations expected to sideline the outfielder for eight to 10 months. The procedure on his left heel is set for Oct. 23, five days after his 33rd birthday.Because Cespedes' status is uncertain, Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon says the team must plan in the offseason as though the two-time All-Star will be unavailable.In his first comments to Mets reporters since the initial surgery, Cespedes said Sunday through a translator that he feels very good — even better than he expected at this stage. Cespedes said he returned to Citi Field this weekend because he wanted to see his teammates at the end of the season and be on hand for David Wright's farewell Saturday night.Cespedes has played in only 119 games over the past two seasons after signing a $110 million, four-year contract. He batted .262 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 38 games this season.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Jay Bruce is back in the lineup for the New York Mets and ready to try something different.The veteran outfielder was reinstated from the disabled list Friday after missing more than two months with an aching right hip, and the Mets plan to audition him at first base down the stretch.A three-time All-Star, the 31-year-old Bruce returned to the Mets as a free agent last winter and signed a $39 million, three-year contract. Also bothered by plantar fasciitis in his feet, however, he batted only .212 with three homers and 17 RBIs in 62 games before going on the DL. His paltry .613 OPS was well below his career mark of .783 in 11 major league seasons."Obviously, I've been injured and I've underperformed," said Bruce, who homered in his return to help the Mets beat the Washington Nationals 3-0. "Neither of those things were on my list of things to do coming back to New York. So it's not something I'm happy about or proud of, but I can only move forward."I have a little over a... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jay Bruce is back in the lineup for the New York Mets and ready to try something different.The veteran outfielder was reinstated from the disabled list Friday after missing more than two months with an aching right hip, and the Mets plan to audition him at first base down the stretch.A three-time All-Star, the 31-year-old Bruce returned to the Mets as a free agent last winter and signed a $39 million, three-year contract. Also bothered by plantar fasciitis in his feet, however, he batted only .212 with three homers and 17 RBIs in 62 games before going on the DL. His paltry .613 OPS was well below his career mark of .783 in 11 major league seasons."Obviously, I've been injured and I've underperformed," Bruce said. "Neither of those things were on my list of things to do coming back to New York. So it's not something I'm happy about or proud of, but I can only move forward."I have a little over a month this year and I have two more seasons to right the ship and be the player... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — When baseball stars on expiring contracts get traded in July, there's usually no need to find long-term housing.Infielders Manny Machado, Mike Moustakas and Brian Dozier; starting pitchers Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ and Nathan Eovaldi; catcher Martin Maldonado; and closer Zach Britton are among the players dealt ahead of this week's deadline for trades without waivers. All could be eligible for free agency after the World Series.Most will find new clubs, like Randy Johnson (Houston for Arizona after 1998), CC Sabathia (Milwaukee for the Yankees after 2008), Aroldis Chapman (Chicago Cubs for a Yankees return following 2016) and Yu Darvish (Los Angeles Dodgers for the Chicago Cubs last offseason).Few decide to stay, such as Yoenis Cespedes with the New York Mets after the 2015 seasonAdding to the intrigue is last offseason's slow free-agent market, which saw veterans scramble during spring training to find cut-rate contracts as opening day approached.A look at some of the potential... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes is set to have surgery on his heel Thursday, the first of two procedures that will likely sideline him from eight to 10 months.The Mets announced Wednesday that Cespedes will have surgery to remove bone calcification in his right heel. Dr. Robert Anderson will perform the operation in Green Bay, Wisconsin.Cespedes will later have the same surgery on his left heel.The 32-year-old outfielder hit .262 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 38 games season.Cespedes has been limited by various lower leg injuries to 119 games since the start of 2017, the first season of his $110 million, four-year contract.