July 31st 2023.
Billy Eppler has a habit of using corporate jargon when he speaks to the media, and he hasn't been very clear on a timeline for the New York Mets. After Max Scherzer waived his no-trade clause to go to the Texas Rangers, it became apparent that the Mets don't plan to contend for pennants in 2024. Eppler has stated that they don't want to "endure long stretches of being bad," but so far he hasn't specified when a window of contention might open.
Mets fans have a right to know what direction the club is going and when a period of success might be on the horizon. They've been used to enduring long stretches of bad baseball, which is why this season is particularly disappointing. With the trade deadline looming, Eppler hasn't made it clear whether the team is "punting" 2024 or not.
The Mets seem to be shifting their priority to the farm system, which is a necessary move. But they have to invest in the major league team too, and Eppler has confirmed that, in some cases, they want to invest where the greatest returns are. Free agency is a market they can use to enhance the team, but it's not the market they want to rely on to build a championship team.
The club has already made two trades that have deepened their farm system, and they could do the same with Justin Verlander, Tommy Pham, and two relievers who are signed through 2024. Eppler has stated that his asking prices are high right now, which could indicate that the Mets don't see themselves as a playoff contender next year.
At this point, it would be helpful for the team to communicate a timeline to the fans. If the Mets stock up on young talent and make moves in free agency this winter, they could have a lean 2024 and build up to a successful 2025 and beyond. Maybe it's a retool or a reset, something that indicates a 2-3 year process rather than a five-year one. Whatever they call it, the supporters of the team deserve to know what's in store.
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