Newest NY Mets player's first impression makes David Stearns look like a genius again

David Stearns might want to retire in South East Asia because of his love of heat. A different kind than the one of the humid variety, of course. Throw hard and he’s going to consider adding you to the New York Mets roster. Recently acquired via trade from the San Francisco Giants, the Mets wasted little time promoting Justin Garza to the big league roster whilst in need of a fresh bullpen arm.

Garza hadn’t been doing much in Triple-A. A 31-year-old with just 47 innings of big league experience and some horrendous results was pitching to a 6.11 ERA over in Sacramento for the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate. Overlooking those results, Stearns seized an opportunity to acquire the flame-thrower. One game into his Mets tenure, he showed off his value.

David Stearns might have added another useful bullpen arm to the Mets roster no one had on their radar

The “in Stearns we trust” people are a little blind at times. Let’s not forget how many misfires he had at the start of the 2024 season. However, since around mid-2024, he seems to hit on almost every target. Early June of 2024 introduced us to Luis Torrens, Jose Iglesias, and a few others in a Mets uniform.

While this year still has a few journeymen struggling, the bullpen has been reloaded several times with some arms that are performing way above expectations. Jose Castillo has yet to allow an earned run in any of his 8 innings. His 11 strikeouts in 8 innings are welcomed even if he has walked a few too many. Nevertheless, as a temporary solution in the bullpen for a team in desperate need of some left-handed relief help, there’s nothing to complain about here.

Garza fanning a pair of Washington Nationals batters couldn’t have come at a better time. The Nationals were threatening to put a nail in the Mets’ coffin, but the pair of Ks held the score at 4-2 and allowed for another late comeback by the Metsies.

With minor league options remaining, Garza is likely to get an extended look by the Mets even if he rents a place in Queens and Syracuse. His roster spot is the revolving one where they should regularly flip between players like him, Brandon Waddell, and Max Kranick once eligible to return from his recent demotion that was based less on merit and more on bullpen usage.

No one should expect Garza to slam the door shut so hard each time out. But by golly, could a pitcher none of us knew days ago have made a better first impression?