St. Lucie Mets shuffle front office

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The St. Lucie Mets have announced that two long time employees have been promoted for the 2013 season. Paul Taglieri has been named senior director of Florida operations while Traer Van Allen has been promoted to general manager of the St. Lucie Mets.

Taglieri has served as the New York Mets director of Florida operations and St. Lucie Mets general manager since 1999. Taglieri will continue to oversee the business operations in Port St. Lucie and the Mets complex in the Dominican Republic, and will also manage the business operations of the Mets' Appalachian League affiliate in Kingsport, TN.

"I look forward to continue to improve upon the Mets' operations in Port St. Lucie as well as our presence within the community," Taglieri said.

Taglieri, a native of Hoboken, N.J., is a graduate of Florida Southern University. He previously served as the general manager of the Auburn Doubledays in the New York-Penn League in 1998. Taglieri also has held a position in the New Jersey Nets organization.

Van Allen, who hails from Irvine, Calif., begins his 14th season with the St. Lucie Mets. He will handle day-to-day operations as the team's General Manager.

"I am really excited for the opportunity with this new position, and am looking forward to another fun and exciting season of St. Lucie Mets baseball," Van Allen said.

Van Allen previously held the position of assistant director of Florida operations and assistant general manager with the St. Lucie Mets for 13 years. Van Allen is a graduate of Lehigh University.