Billy Eppler “resigned” as Mets general manager, but is being paid for what would have been the final two years on his contract, an indicator of reality — that his bosses told him to exit in this way or they would just fire him, The Post has learned.
David Stearns is believed to have been unaware Eppler was under investigation for alleged misuse of the injured list until some time after his Oct. 2 press conference to be introduced as the Mets president of baseball operations. At that gathering, Stearns mentioned looking forward to working with Eppler, who had been running baseball operations for the two seasons before Stearns was hired.
But it became evident to Mets officials and ultimately Eppler as well that Stearns could not begin his administration with the potential burden and fallout of his main aide under investigation. So it was agreed that Eppler would resign, but be paid what remained on the four-year contract he signed in November 2021.
Eppler, MLB officials and Mets officials all refused to comment on either Eppler’s departure or the status of the investigation.
But The Post also has learned that the investigation has not yet been concluded and that Eppler had not yet talked to MLB’s investigative unit in a formal interview as of Sunday— but he is expected to at some point, perhaps as early as this week.
The investigation is looking into not just alleged improper use of the injured list, but also alleged malfeasance around injury rehab assignments — basically ways to try to manipulate the situation during a roster crunch. In addition, The Post has learned that MLB is looking into multiple alleged cases, the bulk in 2023, but at least one from 2022.
MLB was tipped off to Eppler’s alleged actions by an anonymous letter. It has not been publicly revealed if the letter included more accusations or if MLB’s investigative unit has discovered any information to pursue other areas beyond alleged roster manipulations.
Commissioner Rob Manfred still has to receive a written report from the investigative unit and determine whether to issue penalties such as suspensions, fines or loss of draft picks. Thus, it is not expected that MLB will announce a ruling until after the World Series is completed.
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