The New York Mets appear to be in full retreat mode after trading away veteran pitchers Max Scherzer and David Robertson in recent days but general manager Billy Eppler wants to quickly bury that narrative.
Eppler says the Mets are just reconstructing the roster and not tearing down an underachieving team that was supposed to compete for a World Series berth this season.
“I do want to be clear that it’s not a rebuild. It’s not a fire sale,” Eppler told reporters Sunday. “It’s not a liquidation.”
The trading deadline is Tuesday and observers will be watching the Mets’ actions more than listening to Eppler’s words.
New York still has veteran hurler Justin Verlander to dangle to teams chasing a postseason berth. Verlander, like Scherzer, is a three-time Cy Young Award winner.
Verlander, 40, picked up his 250th career victory on Sunday against the Washington Nationals and indicated afterward that he’s open to a trade if the Mets aren’t committed to winning in 2024.
“I think it largely depends on how the organization views next year,” Verlander said. “I think Max is a tough sign for trying to go back at it. So, I’m committed to trying to win a championship here, but if the organization decides that that’s not exactly the direction that they think is a best fit for next year and go for it again next year then yeah, I would be more open to it.”
The 38-year-old Robertson, the team’s closer, was traded to the Miami Marlins on Thursday for two minor leagues. But the big bombshell came Saturday with the trade of the 39-year-old Scherzer to the Texas Rangers for minor league infielder Luisangel Acuna. The trade was officially announced Sunday.
Verlander was stunned to see Scherzer on the move.
“A bit surprised with that one,” Verlander said. “Max was obviously an integral part of our team for next season. So, when you see that happen, you can’t help but think about what’s in store for next year. We play this game to win. We want to win a championship and we want to have the opportunity to do so. It changed my opinion a little bit, so tough to see it happen.”
Eppler said the Mets will consider dealing Verlander if the situation is right.
“We’re going to listen, but our price points are high,” Eppler said. “We have valuations on our existing personnel and the bar is high to meet it but we are willing in certain circumstances to use (owner Steve Cohen’s) investment and kind of repurpose that investment to serve the larger goal, which is to build a championship organization.”
The Mets point to the acquisition of Acuna — the highly regarded younger brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. — as a reason why the Scherzer trade was in the best interests of the franchise.
“We used this opportunity to bring a player into the organization that we’re extremely excited about that’s close to the big leagues — talent that you can’t access,” Eppler said. “Generally, with clubs that are going to go through a rebuild, you have to endure five, six, seven years of losing.
“We don’t have the appetite for that. We’re not going to do that. What we want to do is use Steve’s investment and enhance this farm system, and get us to our larger goal.”
Eppler explained the situation to two team stalwarts — shortstop Francisco Lindor (second season of a $10-year, $341 million deal) and center fielder Brandon Nimmo (first season of eight-year, $162 million) — to let them know the team isn’t taking any steps backward.
“I don’t call it a rebuild,” Lindor said, “I call it a transition. I’m here for the long term. I’m here to win championships and to be part of an amazing organization. It’s one of those things where you want to win now, but you also need to have stability. From my understanding, that’s what I’m seeing right now.”
Sunday’s victory leaves the Mets with a highly disappointing 50-55 record, particularly considering their major league record $355 million payroll. New York is 6 1/2 games behind the final two National League wild-card teams and would have to pass five teams to claim a berth.
That’s a much different situation than the projected battle with the Atlanta Braves for NL East supremacy. The fourth-place Mets are a whopping 18 games behind the Braves with a third of the season to go.
–Field Level Media