Mets Monday Morning GM: 1 important lesson from the 2019 trade deadline

Over the last two weeks, we took a look on Monday mornings at the most recent trade deadlines, what the New York Mets did, and what this year’s front office can learn. There was a lesson from 2021. Education was received from what the team did in 2020. The stunning conclusion takes place today as we travel back to the last Mets team to finish above .500.

The 2019 trade deadline was a big one for the Mets. They went into the All-Star Break with a 40-50 record. After their win on July 31, they were 52-55.

The team had a great second half, eventually finishing with an 86-76 record. It was too little to make the playoffs but what they did at the trade deadline certainly helped them push a little closer. What can Billy Eppler actually learn from Brodie Van Wagenen?

This year’s Mets team can learn to reach for luxury items and not stop there

Trading for Marcus Stroman was a luxury move by the Mets because they already had five starters performing well. Even Jason Vargas, who had gone 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA for the Mets, was a reliable enough fifth starter. The team didn’t buy into his success, though. Smartly, they traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies and added Stroman as an obvious upgrade.

The Mets were in need of a few other pieces as well but neglected to do anything else major. Stroman was it. Viewed as a future replacement for soon-to-be free agent Zack Wheeler, things worked out better than the Mets could have imagined.

A few players were brought in during the August waiver frenzy. Brad Brach pitched well out of the bullpen. Joe Panik as a decent depth move for the infield.

For the most part, the 2019 Mets were working post-trade deadline with what they already had. It wasn’t an ideal situation to be in. To really compete, you need to fix your problems.

As successful as the 2019 Mets ended up being, they had some obvious trade deadline needs beyond Stroman. The bullpen was in shambles. Edwin Diaz was looking like a bust and Jeurys Familia’s return was going about as awfully as it could.

Despite the spark Stroman provided them, the Mets weren’t able to do enough in the second half to do anything more than earn an A for effort. One has to wonder, what if they went out and added an Addison Reed or Tyler Clippard of that season to the roster?