One of David Stearns’ more impactful NY Mets trades may need a new grade soon

David Stearns’ better New York Mets trades have been ones where he didn’t give up a whole lot. Luis Torrens for cash! Phil Maton for cash! Tyrone Taylor and Adrian Houser for a prospect who never pitched a game in the Mets system? It’s another successful move based exclusively on how admirable Taylor has filled in for the Mets as a center fielder over the last two seasons.

He hasn’t been perfect. When used too often, we’ve been reminded why Taylor is best in a part-time role. He isn’t an everyday player.

Worthy of a strong grade thus far, the Taylor and Houser deal with the Milwaukee Brewers prior to 2024 cost the Mets a single prospect, pitcher Coleman Crow. He came to the Mets in 2023 as part of a two-player package for Eduardo Escobar in a deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Hurt at the time, Crow never pitched for the Mets. He made his way to the Brewers and might actually be on the verge of making us rethink our grade for this trade.

Can Coleman Crow actually become another “one who got away?” Mets prospect?

Crow pitched very well in Double-A last season, making 10 starts with a 2.51 ERA. He walked less than 2 batters per 9 and struck them out at a rate of 10.9 K/9. It’s in Triple-A when he stumbled. In a limited 7 inning sample across two starts, he allowed 6 earned runs.

What he did continue to do well was strike batters out. A tremendous 15.4 K/9 rate in Triple-A showed off some of his nasty stuff. He has been a big strikeout, low walk pitcher throughout his professional career. Health has been his problem. After a poor start in early July, he didn’t pitch again.

A combination of hip and arm injuries have held Crow back from significant playing time. The health woes could be one of the reasons why the Brewers actually did decide to add him to their 40-man roster. If not healthy, he’d be a more fascinating Rule 5 Draft pick because a team could simply stash him on the 60-day IL like the Tampa Bays Rays did with Nathan Lavender last offseason.

Crow becomes a fascinating story if he ends up in the big leagues. Drafted in the now non-existent 28th round back in 2019, he’s someone fighting against the odds of ever making it to the show. His good control and big strikeout numbers probably have him profiling more as a reliever than a starter. The Brewers have a severe lack of right-handed relievers on their roster and many of the ones they do have include minor league options. As long as Crow is healthy, there’s a reasonable belief he’ll get a sip of coffee.

This feels unlikely to be the year where we fully re-grade the trade that sent him to the Brewers. We’re close, though. What has thus far been a flawless Mets victory may soon turn into a more evenly matched deal.