MLB Rumors: Marcus Stroman trade, Astros-Angels secret meeting, Mets plan
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: What is Billy Eppler’s plan for the Mets?
New York has lost two straight games coming out of the All-Star Break, and are viewed around the industry as sellers in the making. The Mets had high expectations heading into the season, but a large payroll doesn’t always guarantee a winning ball club, as Billy Eppler and his front office have found out first hand.
“The circumstances are what the circumstances are,” Eppler said. “You try not to get surprised by anything, and just do your homework and be positioned to take advantage of opportunities as they come.”
Prior to the All-Star Break, Eppler was enthused with a brief six-game win streak which put New York back in the Wild Card conversation. That enthusiasm has faded of late, though, and the Mets are nine games back of the final Wild Card spot as of this writing.
“It’s the consistency aspect that really kind of needs to take hold. We were encouraged by what we were seeing going into the break,” Eppler said at the time.
On Saturday night, New York lost in rather painful fashion, as Brett Baty dropped a pop-up in the infield to eliminate any chance the Mets had at overcoming a then one-run deficit. It seems every time the Mets give their fans something to be excited about, they take it away.
The likes of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and David Robertson could all be up for grabs at the deadline, should New York choose to sell. Scherzer, who has a player option after this season, would have to waive his no-trade clause. Robertson is one of the best relief pitchers in baseball this year. And Verlander is a multi-time Cy Young winner.
Eppler has some tough decisions to make.