Coming into the 2023 season with the highest payroll in Major League Baseball history, the New York Mets were projected to make their second consecutive postseason appearance. However, a combination of untimely injuries and underperformance from many key contributors, left them well out of a playoff spot at the trade deadline. This prompted a sell-off from general manager Billy Eppler and the rest of the front office.
Following the deadline, Mets’ GM Eppler spoke with the media and here’s what he had to say.
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Building for the Future
The Mets made a flurry of moves on Tuesday and the days prior that will not help the Mets win games at the major league level in 2023 nor 2024. Despite the loss of big names and key contributors, Billy Eppler expressed how the organization is willing to go through some growing pains in order to reap greater rewards.
“[We’re] really excited about the acquisitions that we made,” he said. He also mentioned how he believes these moves will help the team in the long run: “We’re trying to restock and reload the farm system… You have to go through a little of pain to get to where we want to go. I feel the organization is making strides to a better future.”
Justin Verlander Sweepstakes
Following the trades of David Robertson and Max Scherzer in the days leading up to the trade deadline, the most highly coveted piece the Mets had remaining was future Hall-of-Fame pitcher, Justin Verlander. Verlander, who has up to two years of control after the 2023 season, was seriously pursued by four to five teams according to Billy Eppler.
Eppler went on to say, “It probably came down to two [teams] this afternoon and both were acceptable.” He also added that he was excited with the return as they received two of Houston’s top prospects in top 100 prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford.
Pete Alonso’s Future
With the Mets listening to offers on almost any player on the major league club, there were questions about Pete Alonso‘s future in Queens. The three-time All-Star will become a free agent after the 2024, and with no signs of an extension on the horizon, Eppler would have to answer questions about the slugger’s future with the organization.
The Mets’ GM reassured the club’s thoughts of Alonso, “We love having Pete here… He’s such a strong player for this organization and means so much.” But Eppler would not publicly comment on his long-term standing: “As far as what goes beyond his last year of control, I’m going to keep those conversations internal.”
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2024 Season Outlook
Becoming sellers at a point in the season when the Mets were predicted to be buyers, leaves the imminent future of the club in limbo. With the Mets making moves for the future of the organization and new Texas Ranger Max Scherzer coming out and saying the Mets planned for 2024 to be a “transitory year” after speaking with higher ups; Billy Eppler had to answer to what the club’s plan for the 2024 season was.
Eppler admitted that expectations would not be as high as the previous two seasons: “Going into 2024, we do not see ourselves having the same odds that we did in 2023, 2022.” But, he did also not subscribe to the idea of it being a lost season, “We will build a competitive team in 2024.”
The 2023 and 2024 Mets are not expected to contend to their previously expected level, but the Mets front office believes these short term losses will end up helping the Mets in the future.
