Mike Chernoff is a very capable baseball executive, with incredible knowledge about the sport and valuable experience making important decisions of a team. He’s done it for years with the small-market Cleveland Indians, building contending squads, and the New York Mets were very interested in bringing him to Queens to do the same thing. However, he decided to stay in Ohio.
If you are wondering why Chernoff chose to stay with the Indians instead of pursuing a job with the New York Mets, Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes, who has covered the tribe for years, offered his perspective.
“He likes how he fits with the Indians. He has a seat at the table with (Indians president Chris) Antonetti, manager Terry Francona and the rest of the front office on every baseball decision that is made,” Hoynes wrote.
The veteran reporter also said that the Indians provide a safe place for Chernoff. “It is a stable organization, a good place to work and a hard place to leave. He does not have to wonder what it’s like to be the No.1 baseball guy because Antonetti challenges him at every turn, pushing him to be better. Everyone has a chance to voice their opinion when a question about contracts, arbitration or player acquisitions arrive.”
The Mets are looking for a GM
The Mets, with owner Steve Cohen and president Sandy Alderson taking over a contending team, are one of the most desirable landing places for an executive. They are serious people, with experience, and money to spend on improving the roster.
But after much speculation, Chernoff, who is the Indians’ general manager, decided to stay put. The Mets, therefore, are left looking for a GM of their own, as Alderson will take care of baseball operations for now.
Chernoff is a New Jersey native whose father Mark Chernoff is the senior vice president for Entercom who oversees WFAN.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Jayson Stark weren’t surprised by Chernoff’s decision. “Those in the game who know (Mike) Chernoff say … he does not necessarily value his career path over other considerations – family, lifestyle, the Indians’ workplace environment. Could the Mets, in particular, make him an offer he couldn’t refuse? Of course. But for Chernoff, it would not be a slam-dunk decision.”