Graves in that Inquirer article went on to say that Miley and GM O'Brien were on different pages.
Miley preferred to play Lopez at SS while O'Brien favored Aurelia, etc etc.
Strange how often it seems that teams will name field managers and general managers separately, often without much seeming concern that they'll be at cross-purposes.
O'Brien jacked up the payroll because he wants to compete sooner and increase revenues so here's proven vet Rich Aurelia, while Miley looks at the talent he's offered and figures "I want this team to improve over time," so he wants to play Lopez.
In the end, Miley's faith in Lopez is interpreted by Aurelia as a 'dis' and as insubordination by O'Brien and he's out on his ass.
The Mets rarely have their field & general manager aligned: FM Valentine proceeded GM Phillips, who was senior to FM Howe, who was senior to GM Duquette. Little wonder there's been so many puzzling moves and slippery philosophies.
I suppose there's an alliance between Omar & WWSB at this point, as choosing the latter was the former's first move.
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