Tonight’s NY Mets vs. Cubs matchup that can help David Stearns’ offseason grade

The New York Mets are sticking with Kodai Senga on the mound Tuesday night. The Chicago Cubs have opted to rob Japan of two countrymen facing each other. Shota Imanaga has been pushed back.

Instead, it’s Edward Cabrera who gets the ball. Cabrera went from the Miami Marlins to the Cubs this offseason, but before he did, the Mets were very much involved in the trade rumors.

New York reportedly rejected a Cabrera for Brett Baty and A.J. Ewing package from the Marlins. Ewing will hit fifth for the Mets yet again. It’s a matchup that won’t define David Stearns’ offseason grade but can at least improve it a few points.

Not trading A.J. Ewing for Edward Cabrera is probably David Stearns’ best offseason move

There’s no saving the mistakes made by the Mets this offseason. Whether you want to be a fan who will never forgive him for letting Pete Alonso walk or you’re more practical and just don’t understand the need to trade Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien, you can’t deny the Mets are better off with Ewing around. The misery of what Freddy Peralta has done lately doesn’t even compare to how inefficient Cabrera has been for the Cubs.

Peralta’s ERA only launched to 4.83 after his recent beating by the Philadelphia Phillies. Cabrera, meanwhile, has been on a poor stretch since the calendar flipped to May. He started off with the weakest of quality starts, 6 innings and 3 earned runs. In his last 6 starts he’s 1-4 with an 8.31 ERA. 9 home runs have been hit against him in 26 innings.

The Cabrera vs. Peralta comparison is a worthwhile exploration. Moreover, it’s the decision to make Ewing untouchable we should be thankful for most.

Cabrera is controlled for two more seasons after the current one while Peralta has free agency creeping up on him. The cost was always up for debate. The Cubs bought into what they thought Cabrera could be while the Mets’ trade for Peralta was more about what he has been.

Neither team should be satisfied with what they got. However, with Jett Williams hitting .217 in Triple-A and Brandon Sproat with a 5.94 ERA in the majors this year, the rejection letter Stearns sent to the Marlins feels rewarding.

And if Ewing gets the best of Cabrera in what’ll probably be around two at-bats, Stearns earns himself a few bonus points he desperately needs.

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