Mets Monday Morning GM: It’s like Billy Eppler prepared for this

We’re starting to learn more and more about New York Mets General Manager Billy Eppler. Does he learn from his mistakes? Does he double down on errors? Can he build an effective bullpen?

Eppler should be here for a little while longer. He seems to have a good working relationship with Steve Cohen. After the carousel of general managers the team went through in 2021, some consistency in the GM’s office is needed as long as the club is winning.

It wasn’t a major issue for the Mets last year, but Eppler prepared for it this season. It may have simply been the absence of Jacob deGrom on Opening Day 2022 that put a little voice in Eppler’s head to tell him how important it is to have a backup to the backup. We’re already seeing this matter in 2023.

The Mets prepared themselves well with quality starting pitcher depth

It’s easy to see how the Mets could have traded Tylor Megill or David Peterson in a package for something else. Even simpler, they could have bought in and believed one was worthy of securing a rotation spot at the start of the season. Instead of this, the Mets decided to use them as rotation depth behind two returning veterans, two new ones, and an experienced rookie coming over from Japan.

This pushed Megill and Peterson to the minors except both were needed for Opening Day. Jose Quintana was lost early in the spring for several months. The team is now working to get Justin Verlander on the field for his Mets debut.

After one start each, the pair look as reliable as they have in the past. Each went five innings in his appearance with Peterson taking the loss and Megill getting a victory. Neither was masterful. Peterson allowed 8 hits but only a single run on a home run. Megill gave up 2 runs and walked a pair but did strike out 7.

Despite losing Peterson’s start, the Mets were any sign of life from the offense away from winning. Having a Megill and Peterson available to step in instead of Thomas Szapucki or Jose Butto is valuable. We already see within the division how a team like the Philadelphia Phillies were ill-prepared for even a single injury to their rotation.

It’s almost as if Eppler knew this was going to happen. As he continues to build a profile of strengths and weaknesses, preparedness definitely goes on the side with the muscle and protein powder.