NY Mets Monday Morning GM: Re-grading every major offseason addition from best to worst

We’re at the unofficial half-way point of the MLB season with the All-Star Break taking place. The New York Mets managed a 40-57 record and a distant spot at the bottom of the NL East. Their problems all began with an offseason of major changes, multiple risks, and some eyebrow raisers.

Key players left, underperforming ones came in, and a fanbase has been out for blood every chance they can find. Pete Alonso can’t hit a home run without lighting up social media.

Please note, grades are based on performance and future outcomes of the results of these trades. Some, while thoughtful, are much worse based on those factors. More minor moves, like the trade for Joey Gerber, weren’t included because…why? Minor league contracts, as well, won’t be discussed. Apologies to Craig Kimbrel. Finally, eliminations will not be discussed with the most notable being the subtraction of Jeff McNeil. We’re looking purely at additions and in the case of trades, what the Mets gave up.

Mid-season grades for every major Mets offseason addition

Luke Weaver signing - A+

Could things have gone any better with the Luke Weaver signing? An underrated move by the Mets, possibly because you never know with relief pitchers, this signing was easily the best move from a winter of discontent.

Bo Bichette signing - B

A massive overpay regardless of how you feel, the fact that this is such a short-term contract bodes well for the Mets. If he opts in, there’s a better chance than not he’s more like the version he has been after the slow start. If he opts out, they can always re-sign him to a more palatable contract or hope the fans forget he ever existed. This signing was one of many that didn’t work out, but because the end result is it only cost them money and there was no clear alternative that would’ve been much better, we can think of this as better than an all-time stinker.

Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers trade - C

Stearns’ heart was in a good place with this one. At the cost of two top 100 prospects, Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat, he added a free agent starter to-be alongside an impressive swingman, Tobias Myers. Freddy Peralta has underachieved and the C grade is a better chance to grow into a D (or worse) if the players the Mets surrendered for him become stars for the Milwaukee Brewers. Myers being unpitchable has made this trade so much worse than it ever needed to be.

Luis Robert Jr. trade - C

This trade is only saved by the fact the Mets gave up very little. Luisangel Acuna was going to get DFA’d if the Mets didn’t find a trade partner. So, how can we feel too bad? Robert’s M.I.A. status for most of the season is something everyone kind of expected and maybe because A.J. Ewing has taken his place in center field, most fans don’t really care much about his future.

Devin Wiliams signing - C-

Devin Williams hasn’t been terrible but he also was a part of the team’s struggles early in the season. The three-year contract will be one that’ll keep us on edge for a little while longer. Not a bargain or an overpay, he’s just kind of there on the Mets and knowing what he’ll be able to offer next season as the team’s closer is a mystery.

Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien trade - D+

This one is hard to grade mid-way through year one as the goal was always to free up money in the not too distant future. But with Marcus Semien barely hitting and playing poor defense, who really cares about financial flexibility for the Mets in 2029? Keeping Brandon Nimmo would have made the vibes around the Mets much different. Something about the devil you know vs. the one you don’t could apply here.

Jorge Polanco signing - D

No incompletes allowed. The Mets should have expected Jorge Polanco to spend some time on the IL. Even when he was healthy early in the season, day-to-day ailments limited his action and relegated him to DH duties. Lacking versatility and unfamiliar with the position the Mets pitched as one he could handle (first base) heading into the year, there’s a lot to dislike about this signing. Worse, he’ll be a year older next season. What makes this worse than some others is the money could have been allocated on someone else.

MJ Melendez - D-

MJ Melendez gave us a couple of good days, but was mostly a strikeout waiting to happen. It is what it is and what it isn’t was a fantastic flier.

Luis Garcia signing - F

Only 9 games with the Mets before he was cut, this free agent signing was a massive failure. It was a worthwhile effort at under $2 million. Nevertheless, it’s only fair to give this a failing grade.

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