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 finishing. A club with a $380 million payroll fell out of contention early, had to sell big at the MLB trade deadline and sits in last place in the NL East.
On Thursday the Mets announced the hiring of Derek Falvey, who served for 10 seasons in the Minnesota Twins’ front office, to be a special assistant to president of baseball operations David Stearns. He was the Twins’ chief baseball officer from 2016-19 before being promoted to president of baseball operations, a role he served from 2019 through 2025.
Mets owner Steve Cohen has said that Stearns’ actions to overhaul the roster and coaching staff before this season took on too much risk — for example, counting on players with extensive injury histories such as Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. and aging former stars such as Marcus Semien — that proved to be bad investments.
In an interview with SNY last weekend, 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 one that Stearns already is familiar with. In 2012 they were co-directors of baseball operations with Cleveland.
“Throughout his career, Derek has distinguished himself as one of the most respected executives in our sport,” Stearns said in the 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.”
Falvey said in the announcement: “I am excited to join the Mets and become part of a franchise that means so much to so many people. 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 with Minnesota, the Twins reached the postseason in 2019, 2020 and 2023. In his final season there, he oversaw a massive sell-off as ownership sought to cut costs with a mind toward possibly selling the franchise, a move it ultimately did not make.
The Mets also announced that Kris Gross, who has been with the club since 2023 and oversaw amateur and international scouting, was named assistant GM.
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.
