Mets fire GM Jared Porter after ESPN details lewd, harassing texts to female reporter

“In my initial press conference I spoke about the importance of integrity and I meant it,” Cohen wrote on Twitter. “There should be zero tolerance for this type of behavior.”

According to ESPN, Porter began texting the female reporter, whose name it withheld, in 2016, when he was the director of professional scouting for the Chicago Cubs. The stream of texts lasted for months and eventually included pictures, one of which showed a man with a bulge in his pants, and finally, one of a naked, erect penis. At one point, according to ESPN, Porter sent more than 60 messages that went unanswered.

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“Jared’s actions, as reflected by events disclosed last night, failed to meet the Mets’ standards for professionalism and personal conduct,” Mets President Sandy Alderson said in a statement Tuesday morning.

Porter initially told ESPN he did not send the pictures, but when informed there were selfies among the photos, he said: “The explicit ones are not of me. Those are like, kinda joke-stock images.” Among the later text messages were attempts by Porter to apologize to the woman.

In successive Januarys, the Mets have now been forced to terminate a manager and a GM before either could preside over a single game in their roles. A year ago, the Mets fired skipper Carlos Beltrán only two months into the job after it was revealed he had a major role in the sign-stealing scheme perpetrated by the 2017 Houston Astros, for whom Beltrán had been a designated hitter.

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Cohen’s takeover of the Mets from the Wilpon family was cast as a new error for a franchise often beset by dysfunction and internal intrigue. However, Cohen was also named in a 2018 lawsuit against the hedge fund for which he served as CEO, Point72 Asset Management, alledging unfair pay practices and a sexist work environment. A settlement was reached, the details of which were not revealed, and a federal court in Manhattan moved the case to arbitration.

It is unclear whether the Mets will make a move to replace Porter as GM before the start of the 2021 season. Alderson, 73, has a vast background in baseball operations and headed up the Mets’ front office before Porter was hired. The Mets also have an assistant GM, Zack Scott, whom they hired away from the Boston Red Sox. He was a finalist for the GM job that went to Porter.

This story has been updated.