Last weekend, Max Scherzer was traded to the Rangers in exchange for shortstop prospect Luisangel Acuña. As Trevor Williams took the mound for the Nationals, Mets general manager Billy Eppler discussed dealing the three-time Cy Young winner in the underbelly of Citi Field, talking about the direction of the Mets.
With the Mets scuffling at 49-55 in their final game before Tuesday’s trade deadline, Eppler said the Mets front office is going to be opportunistic in trying to build a sturdy foundation in the minor leagues but it is not punting on 2024 either.
“Given the place we’re in, and the odds we’re facing, it was a strategic decision, and we kind of took this opportunity to kind of serve another goal of the organization, which is to enhance the farm system,” Eppler said. “I do want to be clear that it’s not a rebuild. It’s not a fire sale. It’s not a liquidation. This is just a repurposing of Steve (Cohen’s) investment in the club and kind of shifting that investment from the team into the organization.”
With the year 2024 already entering the discussion, that leaves players like Mark Canha and Tommy Pham, who are on expiring contracts, in a precarious situation. There is also a certain level of intrigue surrounding Justin Verlander, who tossed 5.1 innings with one earned run, five strikeouts and one walk on Sunday afternoon.
Verlander, who improved to 6-5 and won his 250th career game on Sunday, has one more year on his two-year, $86.66 million deal. He also has a vesting option for 2025 that clicks in after he pitches 140 innings in 2024.
“A bit surprised with that one,” Verlander told reporters on Sunday. “… Max was obviously supposed to be an integral part of our team for next season, one of our starting pitchers. So when you see that happen, you can’t help but think, ‘What’s in store for next year?’ We play this game to win. It changed my opinion a little bit, so tough to see it happen.”
Verlander’s name came up in trade rumors after Scherzer was dealt. The Astros reportedly were interested in a reunion, but Houston general manager Dana Brown revealed on SportsTalk790 the focus is not a starting pitcher at the deadline.
“We’re gonna listen, but our price points are high,” Eppler said of the remainder of the trade deadline. “We have valuations on our existing personnel and the bar is high to meet it. But we are willing, in certain circumstances to use Steve’s investment and kind of repurpose that investment to serve the larger goal, which is to build a championship organization.”
