3 easiest Mets roster decisions for Billy Eppler this offseason

Being a Major League Baseball General Manager isn’t the easiest job in the world. Like any career, some choices are easy. Billy Eppler will have some tough decisions to make in building the New York Mets roster this offseason. He’ll also have some easy ones.

Eppler will be under a greater microscope this offseason. He had a strong showing in the winter between the 2021 and 2022 seasons. However, a rough trade deadline has many fans questioning his abilities.

In the category of subtracts and additions, Eppler should have no trouble making these three decisions.

1) Easy NY Mets roster decision: DFA Darin Ruf

Mets fans would drive Darin Ruf from Citi Field to Newark Airport on the week of Thanksgiving if they had to. His last name sums up his tenure with the ball club perfectly.

Ruf was beyond bad with the Mets in a specialized, part-time role. He didn’t hit a single home run—something the Mets expected him to do at least a few times against left-handed pitchers.

Eppler will need to bite the bullet on this midseason acquisition and make the most obvious decision of all to designate Ruf for assignment. Owed $3 million in 2023 with a team option and buyout for the 2024 campaign, this is pocket change for Steve Cohen to pay as the team moves on from one of the worst trade deadline additions the team has ever made.

Ruf’s time with the Mets was so bad that if Mark Vientos or Francisco Alvarez were hitting well enough near the very end of the year, we’d have to put existent odds on the team releasing him prior to the playoffs. Instead, we’ll have to wait a few more weeks before the inevitable occurs.