Step Right Up and Greet the Epps ...
Back in November 2021, a newly hired general manager named Billy Eppler inherited a high-level core of players. That group featured Jacob deGrom - who only very recently returned to action - Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, and Edwin Diaz.
Shortly after moving into his new office, Eppler selected two outfielders from the free agent market called Starling Marte and Mark Canha, then, on Dec. 1, signed pitcher Max Scherzer (at Steve Cohen's behest). Not yet done, Eppler signed free agent infielder Eduardo Escobar, reliever Adam Ottavino, and acquired starting pitcher Chris Bassitt from the Oakland A's.
Mets fans looked around and said this was good.
By May, as expected, the Mets finally parted ways with Robinson Cano - a move that would have mentally and financially crippled the previous regime. This front office deemed Cano's DFA necessary and did indeed improve the team via the old adage, addition by subtraction. It's also safe to say the previous owners would not have been copacetic with all of Billy Eppler's off-season acquisitions, much less agreeing to Max Scherzer's present annual value.
I digress ...
Over the last few years, JD Davis and Dom Smith were afforded a fair chance at earning their keep, respectively. Mission unfulfilled as the former was dealt away at the trade deadline, and the latter remains on the 40-man roster at Syracuse. In turn, Billy Eppler acquired lefty-hitting Daniel Vogelbach, lefty-hitting outfielder Tyler Naquin, and right-swinging Darin Ruf to reinforce the bench and lineup.
All the acquired players by Billy Eppler mentioned above, be it in the offseason or at the deadline, have a game, a hit, or a standout moment this season that we can point to and deem unequivocally as essential contributions toward the team's success.
I'd be remiss if I didn't extend well-deserved props to Carlos Carrasco, Taijuan Walker, Trevor Williams, David Peterson, Luis Guillorme, and others.
Let us not forget minor league call-up, Brett Baty. He homered during his major league debut against the Atlanta Braves. Left-hander Nate Fisher, a former banker from the Seattle Mariners system, allowed just one hit in three innings of relief in his major league debut against the Phillies this past Sunday. The point here is it takes a 40-man roster to win championships. We must also remember how Eppler did not recklessly empty the farm system of its top prospects at the deadline.
The Mets are 21-9 since the All-Star break. They own a 43-19 record against their N.L. East division rivals and enter Tuesday's action with a four-game lead over the second-place Braves. Their overall record (79-44) is second best in all of baseball behind the Dodgers. Except for Apr. 11, the Mets have spent every day this season in first place.
Billy Eppler has no doubt impacted this team. However, we still need to buckle up because the real fun has yet to begin. The month of September is a mere ten days away. That's when Eppler's most crucial off-season acquisition comes into play. There are few if none, more qualified managers in baseball to lead the Mets through a pennant race than Buck Showalter.
Let's Go Epps!
