Elephant Rumblings: Mets fire new GM Jared Porter due to sexual misconduct

Good morning afternoon, Athletics Nation!

The New York Mets began the winter with a fresh start, but it didn’t last long.

The team was bought by a new owner, Steve Cohen, and he overhauled the front office from scratch, led by president Sandy Alderson. Just over a month ago, they hired Jared Porter as their general manager, and not long afterward they made a blockbuster trade for superstar Francisco Lindor.

But now the revamped organization has already hit its first scandal. Porter was fired as GM on Tuesday, after an ESPN story revealed inappropriate sexual behavior in his past in which he “sent explicit, unsolicited texts and images to a female reporter in 2016.” Porter acknowledged sending the texts.

The Mets will not replace Porter immediately, but rather will wait until next offseason to hire a new GM, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

In addition to his termination from the team, MLB will also launch an investigation into Porter’s conduct, reports Nightengale. One possible result could be suspension from future employment until Porter applies for reinstatement.

His previous teams, the Chicago Cubs and Arizona D’Backs, both released statements that they had no knowledge of the incident, and the Mets claimed the same. Alderson elaborated, per Tim Britton of The Athletic:

“When I came here, my goal was to put a good team on the field and change the culture. We’re not going to be able to do that, change the culture, unless we have very strict and well understood approach to these situations. They’re not going to be tolerated.”

Still, Hannah Keyser of Yahoo makes an excellent point:

Listen to women. Report misconduct. Support throughout.

A’s Coverage

• Shea: A’s assistant GM Billy Owens should get call when Mets replace disgraced GM Jared Porter ($)
• AN: Nick Allen, Buddy Reed make MLB Pipeline’s 2021 All-Defense prospect lineup

MLB News & Interest

• Ghiroli: ‘Be nice’: For female reporters, it can feel like there is no other choice ($$$)
• AN: Don Sutton, Hall of Fame pitcher, dies at 75
• AN: Blue Jays on the rise, sign George Springer and more
• Rosenthal: MLB notes (including Dodgers interest in Marcus Semien at 3B) ($$$)
• Anderson: MLB ‘motivated’ to hold scouting combine ahead of 2021 draft; here’s what the event could look like
• Fegan: How Liam Hendriks’ 2018 demotion began his turnaround en route to White Sox ($$$)
• Today in Baseball History

MLB Transactions

The Blue Jays signed George Springer (6yr/$150m), Kirby Yates (1yr/$5.5m), and Tyler Chatwood (1yr/$3m), as they begin to make their push after a 2020 playoff bid. Click here for the full story.

However, Toronto did not quite pull off the double-heist from Houston’s stud outfield, as Michael Brantley will return to the Astros (after early reports that he was signing with the Jays)

The San Diego Padres acquired starting pitcher Joe Musgrove from the Pirates in a three-team trade. Pittsburgh received five prospects from the Padres and Mets, with New York getting lefty starter Joey Lucchesi from the Padres. Click here for all the details from MLBTR. Extra note about Musgrove, a San Diego native (click here for video with full grandma story):

Angels finally sign a solid pitcher, though still just a one-year deal for a starter on the wrong side of 30 who missed most of last season to multiple injuries (still, it’s gradual progress for the new Halos administration)

Division champ Twins pick up a new starter

Seems like Lester is finally the one pulling off a steal, at age 37 and coming off a poor 2020 season

... And another former Athletics southpaw finds a new home

Best of Twitter

Oh that’s nasty (and they still have Mike Clevinger coming back in 2022)

RIP Don Sutton

Warriors with a tribute to Oakland’s own