Mets hire former Minnesota Twins executive Derek Falvey as senior adviser to David Stearns
Minnesota Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey speaks to fans and media during the team's annual fan fest at Target Field on Jan. 28, 2023, in Minneapolis. Credit: AP/Abbie Parr
The Mets have begun making moves to improve their front office decision-making in an effort to avoid another disastrous season like the one they are now finishing, where a club with a $380 million payroll fell out of contention early, had to sell big at the MLB trade deadline and now sits in last place in the NL East.
On Thursday, the club announced the hiring of Derek Falvey, who served for 10 seasons in the Minnesota Twins front office, to be a senior adviser to president of baseball operations David Stearns. In Minnesota he was the chief baseball officer from 2016-2019 and then promoted to president of baseball operations, a role he served in from 2019 through 2025.
Mets owner Steve Cohen has said in Stearns' actions to overhaul the roster and coaching staff before this season, the club took on too much risk — for example, counting on players with extensive injury histories like Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. or aging former stars like Marcus Semien — that proved bad investments.
And last weekend, in an interview with SNY, Cohen said, “I’ve been working with the front office and I’ve identified some things that we can do better . . . They have really good processes up there, but I felt there were areas of improvement that we can work on.
“We’re going to add certain voices into the front office that I think would be helpful.”
Falvey’s voice is at least one that Stearns already is familiar with. In 2012 they were co-directors of baseball operations with the Cleveland Guardians.
“Throughout his career, Derek has distinguished himself as one of the most respected executives in our sport," Stearns said in the team’s announcement. "His experience across the full scope of baseball operations functions and his familiarity with leading an organization will serve as a great addition to our front office group.”
“I am excited to join the New York Mets and become part of a franchise that means so much to so many people,” Falvey said in the announcement. “Throughout my conversations with the organization, what stood out were the high expectations and the commitment to winning at every level. What I've always loved most about this game is being part of a team, and I look forward to bringing my experiences and contributing to this group in any way I can.”
In Falvey's time as director of baseball operations in Minnesota, the Twins reached the postseason three times, in 2019, 2020 and 2023. In his final season there, he oversaw a massive sell-off of talent as ownership sought to cut costs with a mind toward possibly selling the franchise, a move it did not ultimately make.
The Mets also announced that Kris Gross, who has been with the team since 2023 and last season oversaw amateur and international scouting, is being promoted to assistant general manager.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
