NEW YORK -- Sandy Alderson will be the next general manager of the New York Mets, a source confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com.

An announcement could come Friday, on the off day between Games 2 and 3 of the World Series.

Alderson, 62, has been considered the favorite to land the position since the outset.

SI.com first reported his selection Tuesday night.

Sandy Alderson served as the San Diego Padres' chief executive officer until March 2009. Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images

Alderson led the Oakland Athletics to three straight World Series appearances, including the 1989 championship, while serving as general manager from 1983 to 1997. After a stint with Major League Baseball concentrating on umpiring and building the game internationally, Alderson served as chief executive officer of the San Diego Padres until resigning in March 2009 when that ballclub was purchased by a group headed by Jeff Moorad.

Commissioner Bud Selig has been an advocate for Alderson, and Mets principal owner Fred Wilpon and Selig have a strong relationship.

Alderson graduated from Dartmouth College in 1969 and Harvard Law School in 1976. He served four years in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry officer, including a tour in Vietnam.

The Mets completed the interview process for their next general manager Tuesday when Fred Wilpon, team president Saul Katz and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon met with Alderson at Citi Field.

Former Arizona Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes, the other finalist, met with the ownership group Monday.

"We will have no further comment on the process until we are ready to announce our new general manager," Jeff Wilpon said in a statement Tuesday.