After trading Scherzer, GM Billy Eppler says Mets are not rebuilding
NEW YORK (AP) — After buying and selling Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers, basic supervisor Billy Eppler insisted the New York Mets should not tearing down their underachieving group.
“I do wish to be clear that it’s not a rebuild. It’s not a hearth sale,” Eppler stated Sunday at Citi Field. “It’s not a liquidation.”
So perhaps Justin Verlander will keep put in the long run. But now, would he really select to be traded?
“I think it largely depends on how the organization views next year. I think Max is a tough sign for trying to go back at it,” Verlander said. “So I’m committed to trying to win a championship here, but if the organization decides that that’s not exactly the direction that they think is a best fit for next year and go for it again next year then yeah, I would be more open to it.”
New York traded Scherzer to AL West-leading Texas for minor league infielder Luisangel Acuña in a high-profile deal each groups introduced Sunday after news of the settlement broke Saturday night.
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Acuña, the youthful brother of Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr., was rated certainly one of Texas’ prime prospects. The Mets stated he can be optioned to Double-A Binghamton, the place he’ll initially play shortstop.
The 39-year-old Scherzer waived his no-trade clause to finish the deal, and the Mets will ship money to Texas. The three-time Cy Young Award winner additionally agreed to decide in on the ultimate yr of his contract in 2024 at $43.3 million, in accordance with reviews that stated the Mets pays about $35 million of the remaining $58 million on the right-hander’s contract.
“A bit surprised with that one,” Verlander said. “Max was obviously an integral part of our team for next season. So when you see that happen, you can’t help but think (about) what’s in store for next year. We play this game to win. We want to win a championship and we want to have the opportunity to do so. It changed my opinion a little bit, so tough to see it happen.”
Eppler stated he was engaged in dialog with totally different groups about Scherzer and that when he talked with him Friday, he talked about a commerce was attainable. After pitching Friday night time, Scherzer stated he wished to talk with the entrance workplace in regards to the path of the group.
“Obviously, (you) kind of leave the stadium and see some of the comments that he made and wonder what happened because obviously things came together really quickly,” Verlander stated.
Following an 11-6 loss to Washington on Saturday night time, Mets gamers puzzled who is likely to be dealt subsequent.
Eppler stated he texted middle fielder Brandon Nimmo after speaking to Texas and Scherzer’s agent, Scott Boras, after which met with the outfielder for about 35 minutes Sunday. The Mets re-signed Nimmo to a $162 million, eight-year contract final offseason.
Eppler additionally spoke to star shortstop Francisco Lindor, who was acquired from Cleveland in January 2021 and signed to a $341 million, 10-year deal.
“They understand,” Eppler stated. “It’s not a fire sale and it’s not a liquidation. So they got it.”
The fourth-place Mets (50-55), certainly one of baseball’s largest disappointments this season underneath third-year proprietor Steve Cohen, unloaded Scherzer simply days after sending nearer David Robertson to Miami for 2 minor leaguers Thursday night time.
Robertson was set to turn out to be a free agent after this season, however Scherzer might have turned down a commerce or opted in with the Mets subsequent yr.
More offers might happen earlier than Tuesday’s deadline, together with a possible swap involving the 40-year-old Verlander. The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who additionally has a no-trade clause, earned his 250th profession win Sunday in a 5-2 victory over Washington.
“We’re going to listen but our price points are high,” Eppler stated. “We have valuations on our existing personnel and the bar is high to meet it but we are willing in certain circumstances to use Steve’s investment and kind of repurpose that investment to serve the larger goal, which is to build a championship organization.”
Verlander is signed by means of subsequent season with a possible choice for 2025 after agreeing to an $86.7 million, two-year contract in December.
“I have some ability to control my destiny. I’m just a person that likes to gather information. No idea who’s interested, what’s going on, who Billy has been speaking with,” Verlander said. “I just think an open communication with the front office and see what their plans are with me, for the organization. Obviously I’m sure there’s a lot of moving parts happening right now and we’ll see what happens the next couple of days.”
After successful 101 video games final yr, New York started the season with the very best payroll in main league historical past at $355 million. The Mets haven’t been over .500 since June 3 and began the day 18 video games behind first-place Atlanta within the NL East and 7 video games again within the wild-card race with a string of groups to catch.
“We just couldn’t get the consistency clicking,” Eppler stated.
The 21-year-old Acuña was batting .315 with seven homers, 51 RBIs and an .830 OPS in 84 video games with Double-A Frisco this season. He additionally had 25 doubles and was main the Texas League in stolen bases (42) and runs (68).
“Ultra athleticism,” Eppler stated. “The arm strength, the hit ability. He’s working on lifting the ball a little bit more and just being able to get the ball airborne a touch more. Strong plate discipline, strong contact skills. Just really excited to get a prospect of his caliber into our system.”
Acuña was the third-ranked prospect in Texas’ farm system and No. 44 total within the majors, in accordance with MLB Pipeline.
“Right now he’s going to come in and play shortstop right away. But there will probably be some positional versatility,” Eppler stated. “I know he’s already played a little second and center field. And so we’ll probably get an opportunity to do that. But I’d like to talk to him about that first.”
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