The Brewers have employed Billy Eppler as a particular advisor, in accordance with a report from Andy Martino of SNY. Eppler’s full title is Particular Advisor, Scouting and Baseball Operations.
The position marks Eppler’s return to baseball after being placed on the ineligible list simply over a yr in the past. That placement lasted solely by means of the tip of the 2024 World Collection, and he’s been eligible to return to an MLB entrance workplace within the months since then. Eppler’s suspension was, within the phrases of MLB on the time of its announcement, for “improper use of Injured Record placements, together with the deliberate fabrication of accidents; and the related submission of documentation for the needs of securing a number of improper Injured Record placements through the 2022 and 2023 seasons.”
Eppler’s violation occurred throughout his tenure as Mets GM, which lasted from shortly after the 2021 season till shortly after the conclusion of the 2023 marketing campaign. Eppler was the membership’s head of baseball operations through the overwhelming majority of his tenure, however instantly after the 2023 season concluded, the Mets introduced the hiring of president of baseball operations David Stearns, who was set to take the reins and push Eppler right into a number-two position. That association lasted a matter of solely days, nevertheless, as Eppler nearly instantly stepped down from his position with the Mets when information of MLB’s investigation into improper use of the injured record by the Mets first turned public.
So-called “phantom IL” stints have been commonplace within the league for many years and have occurred on each staff at one level or one other, with some gamers even brazenly admitting that they aren’t truly injured whereas on the shelf. Extra nebulous diagnoses corresponding to soreness or fatigue can be utilized by a membership to supply a struggling participant a bodily and psychological reset whereas clearing their roster spot for a time frame. The observe is technically unlawful, however these guidelines haven’t sometimes been strictly enforced by the league. This made MLB’s investigation into the Mets and subsequent suspension of Eppler a trigger for confusion for each many followers and even some inside the sport.
With Eppler’s suspension now a factor of the previous, he’ll be part of a Brewers entrance workplace headed by GM Matt Arnold that was, coincidentally, run by Stearns till he ultimately stepped down because the membership’s high decision-maker and later took over baseball operations from Eppler. The precise duties of Eppler’s position as particular advisor to Arnold should not but clear, although his title falls according to his previous expertise. Previous to serving as Mets GM, Eppler served as GM of the Angels from 2015 to 2020 and as assistant GM and director of professional scouting for the Yankees from 2005 to 2015.
Eppler’s groups have had comparatively little success previously, together with his tenure as Angels GM going by with none playoff appearances whereas his two years with the Mets have been break up between a 100-win marketing campaign and a missed postseason. Total, that’s good for a 508-524 file and a .492 successful share over his seven seasons main a baseball operations division. Even with that considerably middling observe file, the 49-year-old sports activities an extended resume of high-level entrance workplace work, and his a long time of expertise determine to be a priceless useful resource for the Brewers going into the 2025 marketing campaign.
