Mets Monday Morning GM: 3 unfair criticisms of Billy Eppler

3) The lack of major trade additions unless you’re not a fan of the top NY Mets prospects isn't a fair criticism of Billy Eppler

The 2022 MLB trade deadline was brutal for the Mets. It looked unimpressive from the start. They never should have made the trade for Darin Ruf and many were in agreement from the start. Couldn’t they have swapped a younger player for Daniel Vogelbach? Mychal Givens wasn’t enough for the bullpen. Tyler Naquin was fine in his role but an injury to Starling Marte forced him down our throats for the final weeks.

Eppler’s ability to make successful trades hasn't been his trademark. The Chris Bassitt deal with the Oakland Athletics worked out well. Beyond that, there hasn’t been any truly impressive trade.

You can point at some of the other trades made by other MLB teams since Eppler took over, but it’s unfair to say he should’ve added more unless you absolutely hate the top Mets prospects. If you were willing to give up Francisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, and many others for one of the players who were dealt, go ahead and pat yourself on the back. You may have been right. Or maybe the Mets would’ve paid too much for Josh Bell, Trey Mancini, J.D. Martinez, Willson Contreras, or one of the other realistic trade targets from last summer.

If you want good players, you need to give up other ones who are expected to be really good. What the Mets do need to do is decide which they are. Are they a club that trades away prospects or plays them? Getting caught in the middle is what has allowed this to become a major critique. Don’t have hot-hitting prospects on the farm or bench when you have a need in the starting lineup. Play them and fail with them. Never get caught with the extra bullet in the chamber.