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MLB Rumors: Cubs misfire, NY Mets rebuild, Braves indecision

By Mark Powell

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 03: Trey Mancini #36 of the Chicago Cubs stands in his defensive position during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 03, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 03: Trey Mancini #36 of the Chicago Cubs stands in his defensive position during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 03, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) /
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Mets, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer
CINCINNATI, OHIO – MAY 11: Justin Verlander #35 (L) and Max Scherzer #21 of the New York Mets look on from the dugout during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 11, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: NY Mets headed towards a full-scale rebuild

I’m sorry, Mets fans. As much as Billy Eppler may say that New York intends on contending come 2024, it appears they have an eye towards 2025 after the trade deadline. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are gone. Scherzer, now with the Rangers, opened up about New York’s long-term plans after his deal became official.

"“I talked to Billy,” Scherzer told The Athletic. “I was like, ‘OK, are we reloading for 2024?’ He goes, ‘No, we’re not. Basically our vision now is for 2025-2026, ‘25 at the earliest, more like ‘26. We’re going to be making trades around that.’ “I was like, ‘So the team is not going to be pursuing free agents this offseason or assemble a team that can compete for a World Series next year?’ He said, ‘No, we’re not going to be signing the upper-echelon guys. We’re going to be on the smaller deals within free agency. ‘24 is now looking to be more of a kind of transitory year.’”"

It’s odd for an owner like Steve Cohen to sign off on a rebuild, but given the number of young pieces the Mets have, it does make some sense. Players like Francisco Alvarez and Brett Bay will, ideally, be hitting their primes around that time period. If New York can figure out their starting rotation by the end of next season, they should be in prime position to make a postseason run in a few years without relying on pitchers in their 40’s.

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