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Dodgers Rumors: Jeff Kingston Declined Interview With Mets

Matt Borelli
3 Min Read
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

After a disappointing third-place finish in the National League East, the New York Mets made wholesale changes to their coaching staff and front office, relieving Luis Rojas of his managerial duties and recently parting ways with acting general manager Zack Scott.

The Mets also remain in search of a new president of baseball operations after opting not to fill the position last year. They still are in the process of assembling a list of potential candidates, so a hire doesn’t appear to be imminent at this time.

The Mets initially aimed high as they hoped to interview Oakland Athletics executive vice president Billy Beane, Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns and three-time World Series champion Theo Epstein, only to be rebuffed by all of them.

Several other candidates have since declined to interview for a front office position with the Mets, including Los Angeles Dodgers vice president and assistant general manager Jeff Kingston, per Andy Martino of SportsNet New York:

The Dodgers hired Kingston in December 2018 on the heels of Farhan Zaidi leaving the organization to become the San Francisco Giants’ president of baseball operations.

Prior to joining the Dodgers, Kingston spent nine seasons in the Seattle Mariners front office. He additionally served as the San Diego Padres director of baseball operations for seven years.

Kingston reportedly was a candidate for the Philadelphia Phillies’ general manager opening last winter until they ultimately hired Dave Dombrowski to be their president of baseball operations.

Kingston also was a finalist for the L.A. Angels’ general manager vacancy before the organization completed its search by hiring Perry Minasian.

Gomes won’t leave Dodgers for Mets

The Mets’ search for a new executive to head their baseball operations extended to assistant general manager Brandon Gomes, but he declined to interview as well. Gomes instead may be promoted as the new Dodgers’ general manager, which hasn’t been filled since Zaidi departed three years ago.

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Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.