5 Mets moves that we already do or can thank Billy Eppler for in the future

4) Signing Brandon Nimmo in free agency

There is much fretting in Mets-land right now over the pending free agency of Pete Alonso. Not only is it nearly impossible to replace a player of Alonso's stature, but many Mets fans are probably envisioning one of the last times a fan favorite hit the open market, when Michael Conforto didn't return to New York, eventually taking a year off due to injury before signing with the San Francisco Giants.

Fortunately for Mets fans, Brandon Nimmo did return. Eppler signed the always-hustling center fielder last offseason to an eight-year, $162 million deal, likely making Nimmo a Met for life in the process.

Nimmo has spent his entire career in the Mets organization after being drafted by the team in 2011, and his all-around game has made him one of the best players to don a Mets uniform in the past decade.

Despite the team's lack of success this year, Nimmo was again his old reliable self, posting an .829 OPS at the top of the Mets lineup. Though there are some signs his defense in center field is regressing, the rise of prospects such as Drew Gilbert and Jett Williams will make it easy to shift Nimmo to a corner outfield spot.

Nimmo set career highs in home runs, RBIs, hits, and plate appearances this year, so for as good as he's been, there's obviously still room to grow. Mets fans will look back on Eppler's decision to re-sign Nimmo as a great one.