MLB Rumors: Braves trade package, White Sox-Reds deal, Mets disaster

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Billy Eppler of the New York Mets talks during a press conference to introduce pitcher Justin Verlander at Citi Field on December 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: NY Mets aren’t ready to sell

The Mets aren’t yet ready to sell, losing any leverage they may have a week ahead of the MLB trade deadline. New York isn’t going anywhere this season, as they’re seven games under .500 and 18.5 games back in the NL East. The NL Wild Card isn’t within reach, either, leaving some pundits to wonder what the Mets are waiting for.

Per Andy Martino of SNY, Eppler is slow-playing the deadline:

"“With rival scouts following the Mets’ potential rental players like David Robertson and Tommy Pham, and controllable players like Jose Quintana and Mark Canha, the industry is waiting to see what the Mets will do. Word even surfaced late Monday of outside interest in the ultra-pricey Justin Verlander. Between now and Aug. 1, Mets GM Billy Eppler and owner Steve Cohen must weigh the returns for their players and decide if those returns are worth spiraling into a 90-plus loss, post-fire sale season.”"

So, what’s with the holdup? Cohen is on the record suggesting it would be silly for the Mets to buy at the deadline. Perhaps a strategy that involves both strategies — selling geared towards 2024 success — makes some sense.

New York has pricey assets, including Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. Eppler would be wise to get at least one of those players off the Mets payroll heading into a free-agency season which includes Shohei Ohtani. But what do I know?

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