Mets down to three finalists for vacant general manager post

Melvin, 66, is considered the favourite for the job, according to the New York Post. He has served as a senior advisor with the Brewers since he stepped down as the team's general manager after holding the role from 2002-15.

Player agent Brodie Van Wagenen, former Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin and Tampa Bay Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom are the last three in the running. Van Wagenen, 44, interviewed with the team on Monday.

"My conversations with the Mets continue to be organic. I believe baseball is better when the Mets are competitive and successful," Van Wagenen said in a statement. "As Jeff and Fred continue their search for a new head of baseball operations, the players, fans and entire organization will be motivated to have a leader with the skills and commitment to winning. If the Wilpons believe I am that person, we will have that conversation."

Among Van Wagenen's clients at CAA Baseball are Mets players Yoenis Cespedes, Jacob deGrom, Todd Frazier and Tim Tebow. His candidacy has sparked conversations of conflict of interest, and he declined to participate in a conference call with reporters "because he is not willing to compromise his current role during this process," a Mets official told MLB.com.

Melvin, 66, is considered the favourite for the job, according to the New York Post. He has served as a senior advisor with the Brewers since he stepped down as the team's general manager after holding the role from 2002-15.

Bloom, 35, is the youngest of the candidates and has had a hand in Tampa Bay's recent unconventional strategies, including utilizing relievers, termed "openers," to start games. On the strength of that approach, the Rays won 90 games this season, finishing third in the American League East.

Sandy Alderson, the Mets' former GM, took a leave of absence from the role in June after revealing his cancer returned in April. Alderson, 70, said then the team's standing -- the Mets went 77-85 this year -- didn't merit a return.

Assistant general manager John Ricco and special assistants J.P. Ricciardi and Omar Minaya ran the team for the remainder of the season.

(With inputs from agencies.)