NY Mets Monday Morning GM: 5 unpopular David Stearns decisions that went badly

Fans we're excited for these decisions. They went as poorly as expected.
New York Mets v San Diego Padres
New York Mets v San Diego Padres | Orlando Ramirez/GettyImages
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2) Trading for and then tendering a contract to Paul Blackburn

The Mets didn’t necessarily need a major starting pitcher addition at the 2024 trade deadline. Between Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, and David Peterson, things were going pretty well. Jose Quintana finished the year strong. The Mets went out and landed Paul Blackburn in exchange for a single prospect, hoping he could at least help them get to the postseason and maybe bury him on the roster if they could.

Blackburn never did get to participate in the magical 2024 playoff run as he exited with a season-ending injury quickly. The Mets decided to tender him a contract in the offseason with a proposed plan to have him used as starting pitcher depth/a long man in relief.

Neither the trade for Blackburn or the decision to hold onto him was met with much popularity. Often hurt during his time with the Oakland Athletics and not especially effective, his 6.00 ERA he finished with after 48 games with the Mets surprised no one.

We can certainly respect a lesser move that doesn’t cost all that much in trade capital or salary. With Blackburn, one can’t help but think there were other choices. At the very least, the Mets should have non-tendered him and had a better player brought in during the 2024-2025 offseason.

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