Theo Epstein out of the running for New York Mets' front office job

The New York Mets, who failed to hire a president of baseball operations last winter, ran into their first obstacle this offseason when MLB executive Theo Epstein and owner Steve Cohen spoke this week and decided that the timing and fit weren’t right, according to two people with direct knowledge of the decision told USA TODAY Sports.

They spoke on the condition of anonymity because were not authorized to comment publicly.

Epstein, was considered a top candidate for the Mets' after guiding the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs to World Series championships, but will remain in the Commissioner’s Office where he is working on enhancing interest in the sport.

The Mets are also in the market for a manager, having parted ways with Luis Rojas on Monday after two seasons. Rojas was hired in January 2020 after the club broke up with Carlos Beltran for his role in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. Beltran didn't manage a single game for the Mets having been hired months earlier in the offseason.

New York went 77-85 in 2021 and was the first team in baseball history to be in first place for more than 100 days and still finish below .500.

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The Mets last won the World Series in 1986, the National League's current fourth-longest drought. The club last reached the playoffs in 2016 and has made only three postseason appearances since 2001 – including a trip to the World Series in 2015.