Yankees: Mets tried to poach assistant GM Jean Afterman from NYY

Not so fast, Mets. The Yankees might be in a tough spot this offseason, but some of the organization’s most loyal figures will not be defecting to you.

It’s been well-documented that the Mets’ general manager search following the firing of Zack Scott has been a colossal failure. Legendary executives such as Theo Epstein and Billy Beane have declined the position. Assistant GMs for the Dodgers, Giants and Brewers rejected interviews.

We guess that’s what happens when you go from Brodie Van Wagenen (really bad), to Jared Porter (fired for sexual harassment) and Scott (fired for driving under the influence) in three consecutive tries.

New Mets owner Steve Cohen has been trying to change the rotten culture that’s been left behind by the Wilpons, but he’s had no such luck. So what made him think that he’d be able to poach a longstanding veteran of the Yankees’ front office?

According to reports, the Mets tried for Yankees assistant GM Jean Afterman, who has been with the Bombers since December of 2001. As has been the trend with those being asked about the job, Afterman “politely declined.”

Nice try, though!

About a week ago, the Mets asked permission to speak to Yankees assistant GM Jean Afterman, per league sources. She politely declined. Probably a Yankee for life. Would have been tremendous get .
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) November 3, 2021

Yankees assistant GM Jean Afterman rejected the Mets’ interest.

Prior to her career in the Yankees’ front office, Afterman was a player agent, which helped the Yankees land guys like Hideki Matsui, Alfonso Soriano and Hideki Irabu. She’s been working alongside general manager Brian Cashman in some capacity for two decades.

Kudos to the Mets for trying, but if they continue to strike out as they’ve been with all the controversy engulfing their front office, it’s hard to envision a female — let alone one who is a trail blazer in the field given her rise to prominence and her extending influence — would be comfortable working in such a scarred environment.

In early August, Sandy Alderson made a recommendation to Steve Cohen: Remove the “acting” tag from Zack Scott’s title. Cohen was pleased with Scott, but felt timing wasn’t right.

Then came Scott’s arrest, an administrative leave placement and now this:https://t.co/oPVDSwKcMI
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) November 1, 2021

And to think some believed the Mets would be instrumental figures at some point in luring Cashman away. Did people forget the Yankees are a world renowned baseball institution held in the highest regard?

No fancy promotions or any amount of money will convince those to leave the 27-time World Champions … especially not for the Mets.

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Yankees assistant GM Jean Afterman rejected the Mets’ interest.

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