Photo Credit: Corey Sipkin of New York Post
New York Mets manager Billy Eppler spoke to the media on Friday afternoon from Citi Field at the end of the season press conference less than a week after the team from eliminated from the postseason.
Here are the key pieces from what Eppler said during the presser:
Eppler Has No Regrets About Deadline
Eppler was asked if he squandered the team’s chances of winning a World Series this year by prioritizing long-term sustainability at the trade deadline, Eppler doubled down on saying he has “no regrets” on how he handled the trade deadline.
The Mets acquired DH Daniel Vogelbach, 1B/DH/COF Darin Ruf, OF Tyler Naquin, and reliever Mychal Givens at the trade deadline.
Cohen Gives Eppler Vote of Confidence
Eppler said that he was texting with owner Steve Cohen recently to spitball ideas for the offseason. “He’s given me that nod to continue to make decisions,” Eppler said.
Eppler said the message from Cohen hasn’t changed, ”I’ll support this cause financially. We can use money to bridge ultimately where we want to take this place,’ which again is to that sustainability, where we’re winning year in, year out.”
Talking to DeGrom
Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom has said he will opt-out of his contract with the Mets to become a free agent this offseason despite pitching only 70 innings in 2022. Eppler talked to deGrom one-on-one Sunday as he has many times this season. “He knows how we feel and I know how he feels. We had a good amount of dialogue over the course of the season. The relationship is positive,” Eppler said.
DeGrom is scheduled to make $30.5 million in 2023 and then the Mets would have a $32.5 million option for 2024 if Jacob didn’t opt-out.
The 34-year-old had a 3.08 ERA, 2.13 FIP, 0.75 WHIP, and struck out 102 batters in 64 1/3 regular season innings this year. He then pitched six innings of two-run ball in the Mets lone postseason win.
