Mets general manager Billy Eppler says New York not holding ‘fire sale’ after trading Max Scherzer and David Robinson during epic disappointing season
Mets general manager Billy Eppler says New York not holding ‘fire sale’ after trading Max Scherzer and David Robinson during epic disappointing season
- New York would have a high asking price for starting pitcher Justin Verlander
- Verlander is “open” to waving his no-trade clause if the team wants to break up
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler has claimed that the team is not looking for a “rebuild” or a “fire sale” for the rest of the season, despite signs to the contrary despite multiple signs to the contrary.
New York recently made headlines when it traded star pitcher Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers for highly rated minor league infielder Luisangel Acuna.
The Scherzer trade came just days after the Mets sent closing pitcher David Robinson to the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor leaguers Marco Vargas and Ronald Hernandez.
New York would also listen to offers for ace pitcher Justin Verlander, but values the Cy Young award winner enough that he is expected to stay.
“It was a strategic decision,” Eppler said of the Scherzer and Robertson trade. “We took this opportunity to serve another goal of the organization, which was to improve the farm system. But I want to be clear, it’s not renovation, it’s not fate, it’s not liquidation.’
New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler stated that the team is not holding a fire sale
The Mets recently traded star pitcher Max Scherzer and have been linked to the trade of Justin Verlander
New York also traded closing pitcher David Robinson to the Miami Marlins for minor leaguers
“This is just a repurposing of Steve’s investment in the club and sort of shifting that investment from the team to the organisation.”
Eppler also hinted that the Mets may not be spending money as aggressively as they did recently under new owner Steve Cohen, though they intend to remain competitive.
“I don’t think we’re going into 2024 with the same preseason opportunities as we did in 2022 (and) 2023,” Eppler said. “It doesn’t mean we’ll punt 2024. We will have a competitive team.’
“We don’t want to be bad for long.” “Generally, with clubs going through a rebuild, you have to endure five, six (or) seven years of losses and we don’t want that. We’re not going to do that.’
“We’re going to listen, but our prices are high.”
The Mets have become one of MLB’s biggest disappointments this season after entering the year with a record-breaking payroll and currently sitting fourth in the National League East with a 50-55 record.
Verlander too told reporters that while he’s “determined to try and win a championship” in New York, he’s “open” to swinging his no-trade clause if that’s the direction the Mets want to go.