NEW YORK, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- The New York Mets have named Jim Duquette their general manager.
The decision was made after the Mets spoke with and failed to reach agreements with former employees Gerry Hunsicker, who is with Houston, and Omar Minaya, who holds a similar post with Montreal.
Duquette, who was promoted from assistant GM to interim status after Steve Phillips was fired on June 18, received a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
He cut payroll by unloading veterans Roberto Alomar, Armando Benitez, Jeromy Burnitz, Rey Sanchez and Graeme Lloyd for prospects.
"The process started when Jim traded the five players," said team owner Fred Wilpon. "He brought us all together, made recommendations and the decisions to make the trades."
Despite a payroll of more than $100 million, the Mets have been in decline since advancing to the World Series in 2000 and losing to the New York Yankees in five games.
