PORT ST. LUCIE — Brodie Van Wagenen differentiated himself as a GM candidate by convincing Mets ownership that being an agent provided insight into how players think and, in particular, what they think of the Mets.
In the job, Van Wagenen has walked that talk. As one of his top lieutenants Allard Baird, said, “In every decision that is made here, he has reiterated that over and over and over again. Whether it is a medical decision, whether it is a developmental decision. No question: Player first.”
The new GM wanted to avoid the natural personal agendas and egos that develop around every organizational position, so his mission statement has been to focus every Mets employee — executive, coach, trainer, etc.