New York Mets fire GM Jared Porter amid report of lewd, harassing messages send to female journalist

It seemed inevitable, but now it is official. 

Mets owner Steven Cohen on Tuesday morning announced on Twitter that the organization fired general manager Jared Porter after an ESPN report said he sent unsolicited and explicit text messages and images — including one of a naked, erect penis — to a foreign female reporter covering Major League Baseball. Now, the Mets are left filling their general manager position for the second time this offseason. 

"In my initial press conference I spoke about the importance of integrity and I meant it," Cohen said in his tweet announcing the news. "There should be zero tolerance for this type of behavior." 

The Mets on Dec. 12 hired Porter, 41, to be Brodie Van Wagenen’s successor. Porter had received praise from former employers and co-workers around the baseball world. Alongside team president Sandy Alderson, Porter started driving the Mets forward toward the 2021 season, his biggest move coming when he acquired shortstop Francisco Lindor and starter Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland. 

Then came the report. 

Jared Porter was hired as the Mets GM in December. (Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic)

Late Monday night, ESPN dropped its report, which said Porter at one point in 2016 sent 62 unanswered messages — including seven photos — to the reporter. This culminated in Porter sending a photo of a bare penis, according to ESPN. 

In its report, ESPN reached Porter on Monday evening, and the GM "acknowledged texting with the woman. He initially said he had not sent any pictures of himself. When told the exchanges show he had sent selfies and other pictures, he said that 'the more explicit ones are not of me. Those are like, kinda like joke-stock images.'"

"Jared’s actions, as reflected by events disclosed last night, failed to meet the Mets’ standards for professionalism and personal conduct,” said Mets president Sandy Alderson.   

Before landing the Mets job, Porter worked as an assistant general manager with the Arizona Diamondbacks. During the time of the incident with the female reporter, he was the Cubs’ director of professional scouting. 

We have terminated Jared Porter this morning . In my initial press conference I spoke about the importance of integrity and I meant it.There should be zero tolerance for this type of behavior.

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