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3 things Billy Eppler must do to become the Billy GOAT of GMs

By Tim Boyle |
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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Introduce Shohei Ohtani / Josh Lefkowitz/GettyImages
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Billy Eppler isn’t new to the general manager role. He has experience in a big market with a big budget. And while his days with the Los Angeles Angels didn’t produce results, I’m willing to give him time to get things right in this same position with the New York Mets.

This doesn’t mean I’m going to lower the bar for him whatsoever. In fact, giving him this early benefit should only raise the final expectations.

I have no doubt Eppler will have a lot of resources to make it happen. I trust him enough to be a competent general manager. This hasn’t always been the case in recent Mets history.

Eppler’s goal might not be to become the greatest general manager of all-time. But if Billy Eppler wants to become the Billy GOAT of the Mets, he can start by accomplishing these three things.

Billy Eppler needs to make the NY Mets an attractive destination

The Mets weren't an incredibly desirable landing spot at the start of the offseason. Whether for a logical reason or reputation, players seemed to shy away from the organization.

Why was it? Just because they are “New York’s second team” shouldn’t sway anyone from not signing. In part, it’s all a little overblown that nobody wants to work or play here. There is some truth to it, though. Some people may simply see others steering clear and decide to do the same.

Eppler can help make this an attractive landing spot for free agents and executives. It’s not all up to him but he can get a strong stranglehold on the perception of the Mets. Signing Max Scherzer could go a long way toward accomplishing this.

On his end, he can start by continuing to add the right players. You want winners and guys who are good for the clubhouse. This extends beyond the players. Coaches and other higher-ups also have to have that same attitude.

The Mets didn't really have much of a culture in 2021. Back in 2019, it looked like they were aiming for one built largely on young and exciting players. Led by Pete Alonso, the presence is still there but has since gone hidden in the background.

Making Flushing the place to be is an important step to becoming the Billy GOAT. It could be the first or the last in the process. Perhaps one the most out of his control, there are other ways Eppler can become a New York sports legend.

Chicago Cubs v New York Mets
Chicago Cubs v New York Mets / Rich Schultz/GettyImages

Billy Eppler needs to build with long-term goals in mind

The biggest folly of Brodie Van Wagenen during his tenure was the lack of vision for the future. He wanted to win and he wanted to win now! It’s a very Veruca Salt approach to running an MLB organization.

Under the direction of Sandy Alderson and what Steve Cohen seems to want for the organization, I think Eppler can make this happen. It’s important to not get too caught up in the future while ignoring the present. Hopefully, there’s some flexibility there.

Long-term goals include keeping the farm system in place, strong international scouting on the amateur level, and locking up your players to contracts before they get through arbitration. They may seem like common sense items to add to the agenda. I won’t argue that. It’s an aim for just about every professional sports franchise.

The important thing here is identifying when the time is right to strike and push all of the chips into the middle. Sometimes, you do need to trade your number one prospect at the deadline to ensure your fans get a parade.

What Eppler can’t do is shoot himself in the foot. You don’t trade away your future for rentals you simply let slip away. That is one reason why—despite a lackluster season—extending Francisco Lindor was the right thing to do.

The front office has been totally rebuilt from what was in place during the 2021 season and should continue to get a few more warm bodies in there. Getting everyone on this page to target the future while maintaining success in the present is key.

Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets / Rich Schultz/GettyImages

Billy Eppler needs to understand the NY Mets fans

This might not be so important if he’s winning every year but who is capable of that? Eppler can say something about the mothers of every Mets fan out there and get away with it if he’s bringing a championship to Queens every October, occasionally in November. That’s just the way fans are. They forgive with winning.

I do think a general manager having a grasp on the fan base is essential to keeping his job. Fans direct the narrative. They pay the salaries. Without them, you just have a bunch of grown men standing on grass, swinging tree branches, and cow skin.

Although born in San Diego, Eppler’s experience working with the New York Yankees should have at least given him the mindset needed to understand the Big Apple sports fan. We’re demanding. Anything less than perfection will fill the phone lines on sports talk radio.

Mets fans are different from Yankees fans but not enough to the point where Eppler will feel like it’s a foreign planet. The demands of the fans in this city, regardless of the team we’re talking about, are the same: win.

More than just understanding the Mets fan, Eppler needs to show it. He can’t get away with speaking down to them. He won’t be able to get away with too many clichés or lies. In the concrete jungle, there are too many people around to unmask this attempted deception.

A general manager’s job is ultimately to get fired one day. By being on the side of the Mets fan and understanding what they want and need, Eppler can delay the inevitable.

Maybe then he can become the Billy GOAT. No promises.

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