Names of possible candidates to replace Sandy Alderson as the Mets' general manager are beginning to surface.
Alderson is on medical leave while he battles cancer and has hinted he may not return to the organization. The role of GM is currently being held by a three-headed team of assistant GM John Ricco and special assistants to the GM J.P. Ricciardi and Omar Minaya.
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Though the Mets could promote from within, there is a belief that the team will look outside the organization for their next front-office leader, Jon Heyman of WFAN and Fancred Sports reported.
Among the names that Heyman reported are being mentioned in the rumor mill are Brewers general manager David Stearns and Indians GM Mike Chernoff, both New York-area natives who have enjoyed great success at their respective teams. Chernoff is the son of WFAN vice president of programming Mark Chernoff.
Jed Hoyer, the current GM of the Cubs, has also been mentioned.
The Mets might have to use the president's title to poach a general manager from another team, Heyman noted.
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Josh Byrnes, the Dodgers' senior vice president of baseball operations, could also be in contention for the job. He was the runner-up for the position when Alderson was hired in 2010.
Other names rumored include Diamondbacks senior vice president and assistant general manager Jared Porter; Brewers executives Ray Montgomery and Matt Arnold; MLB executive Kim Ng; and Blue Jays vice president Ben Cherington.