The New York Mets are conducting an overhaul within their scouting department. According to sources, seven scouts have been dismissed from the Mets International Scouting Department. Steve Barningham, John Hendricks, Olivier Dominguez, Luis Scheker, Christian Cabral, Martin Arvizu, and Andres Nunez are the international scouts who have been relieved of their duties.
The New York Mets dismissed several scouts from their international scouting department, per sources:
-Steve Barningham (Director)
-John Hendricks (Supervisor)
-Oliver Dominguez (Scout: DR, Cuba)
-Luis Scheker (Caribbean Cros-Checker)
-Christian Cabral (ABC Islands)— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) August 21, 2024
Barningham was the director of all international scouting and the scout that found Mets legend Daniel Murphy. John Hendricks was the supervisor of the international scouting department.
The other five scouts covered the territories of the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and other regions.
On just Aug 19, 2024, Mets’ Director of Major League Operations Elizabeth Benn announced that she will depart the organization at the conclusion of the 2024 season. These international departures follow not only that, but Met management relieved scouts Joseph Kowal, Pat Jones, and Eddie Bane last year.
The Mets signed 20 international prospects earlier this year in the window, with headliners being catcher Yovanny Rodriguez, shortstop Yensi Rivas, and Vladi Miguel Guerrero, son of Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and half-brother of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Yovanny Rodriguez was the biggest financial commitment, as he received a 2.85 million dollar signing bonus.
David Stearns, president of baseball operations for the Mets, is in his second year at the helm of the front office in Queens. Letting go of the incumbent international scouting department may give him an opportunity to bring in his preferred staff as the MLB goes into a new international signing period this winter. In the meantime, the Mets are 66-61 and only 1.5 games out of the last National League wild card spot.
With international prospects like Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuna and international superstars like Francisco Lindor, the Mets will look to finish out this season strong and successfully build their international scouting department for years to come.
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WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: A detail view of a New York Mets logo on a hat prior to a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)
