After several weeks of looking at candidates, the New York Mets finally hired their general manager on the weekend. His name is Jared Porter, and he is a highly respected executive with a history of being on winning clubs.
Most importantly, Porter loves the challenge that Steve Cohen, the new Mets’ owner, proposed upon taking over the team: winning at least one World Series championship within the next three to five years.
“I would just say that hearing comments like that motivates me,†Porter said in his introductory Zoom press conference. “It really does excite me. It shows a strong commitment from ownership who wants to win, who wants to put a winner on the field for the fan base of New York, and I completely align with that. It excites me. I want those expectations.â€
He wants to win with the Mets as he did with the Red Sox and Cubs
The Mets’ fans would love to hear that Porter was a member of the Boston Red Sox organization when they broke the dreaded Curse of the Bambino back in 2004 by winning their first World Series in 86 years.
After that, he has won four more rings. In total, he has three with the Red Sox and one with the Chicago Cubs (breaking yet another curse in the process.) He is seen as a level-headed, creative executive who fosters a good internal communication, and is regarded as a great talent evaluator.
For now, the Mets are happy to hire a young, capable executive who is familiar with winning and shares the same vision that the team owner and president.
“As far as the winning part goes, everywhere I’ve gone, it’s always been our goal,†Porter said. “I think it’s the goal of players to win. I think it’s the goal of front office people to win, coaches to win. I think it’s a challenge, and it’s something I’m really excited about.â€