Part 2/7:
On October 6, 2023, Billy Epler resigned as the Mets' general manager, just three days after David Sterns was brought on as president of baseball operations. Speculation surrounding the timing of Epler's departure raises questions about the nature of his role and whether he felt sidelined after Sterns' appointment. Epler claimed in his resignation statement that he wanted to ensure Sterns would have a "clean slate," a sentiment that many are interpreting skeptically. Critics have pointed out that Epler's sudden epiphany feels contrived, given that he knew of Sterns' hiring well in advance and had previously assured fans that he was working under the owner’s directive for future improvements within the organization.