3 players we’ll be thankful Billy Eppler didn’t trade, 2 we’ll wish he did

NY Mets will regret not trading Darin Ruf even for scraps

It’s very hard to see Darin Ruf staying with the Mets for the full season. Why didn’t the Mets trade him? Nobody probably was willing to give up even a low-level prospect contemplating retirement. The Mets would have had to eat a part of his salary. Ruf was so awful for the Mets last year that even for free he’d have a tough time finding a major league job.

Holding onto Ruf and seeing what he can offer the Mets this year isn’t criminal. When there are no takers, what else can you do other than cut bait? The problem arises when we see how the Mets may not be able to enter Opening Day with their 26 best players. Brett Baty, a guy who can play third base and left field, is a far better fit for the Mets than Ruf whose duties include being a part-time DH, first baseman, and right fielder.

The Mets need Ruf even less now with the presence of Tommy Pham. A far better choice to platoon with Daniel Vogelbach if only because he’s something different, Pham’s defensive positions are less limiting than Ruf. 

I’m all for Ruf proving everyone wrong. However, having him on the Opening Day roster means a more useful player doesn’t. His time with the Mets feels like it’s going to come to a close sooner than later. Eppler may lose him for nothing.

NY Mets can still make the most of a Mark Vientos trade later on this summer

Mark Vientos remains the most practical trade chip the Mets have. Where do you even play him? Constructing a future Mets roster where all of the prospects pan out doesn’t even include him.

As much as it makes sense to trade Vientos, we should be glad the Mets didn’t. What kind of upgrade could they have made this offseason in a trade centered on him? Instead, heading into the 2023 season with him in the organization means the Mets have a pretty solid piece to deal at the deadline for an unexpected need.

This does come with some risk. What if Vientos struggles a lot this year? His stock will go down a ton. It’s already not too high because he does seem to be trending toward becoming a first baseman. Guys who play that position and hit with power grow on trees. They’re easy to find and trading away something of value for one doesn’t always make the most sense.

Vientos can do the complete opposite. What if he has a monstrous season in Triple-A? What if he even becomes a contributor at the major league level? A big injury or an underperformer gives the team urgency to look at some different trade scenarios. Any club in a rebuilding mode who could use a first baseman or DH could nibble.

We should be glad the Mets didn’t force any trade this offseason. Eventually, they’ll probably have to deal him.

NY Mets have officially lost the Khalil Lee trade

Khalil Lee came over to the Mets prior to the 2021 season and things didn’t go well on the field. Domestic abuse allegations against him this spring make this even worse. He was designated for assignment by the club shortly after. Because he did pass through waivers, Lee remains with the organization but no longer on the 40-man roster.

Lee’s struggles last year definitely did a number on his trade stock. Following an impressive season in Triple-A back in 2021, he followed it up with a .214/.330/.370 performance last year. Lee struck out 150 times in only 453 plate appearances on the farm. As a non-power hitter, it’s hard to overlook as a major weakness in his game.

Mets fans got a look at him in the majors back in 2021 when he fanned in 13 of his 18 chances. Still 24, he could’ve been someone the team flipped this offseason for another guy in a similar spot. The allegations against him have made him untradeable at the moment. Until we get answers, it looks like he’ll remain with the Mets with his future in limbo.

If found guilty, Lee’s professional career would be over. Major League Baseball has started to take these things seriously. There is no second-chance in a situation like this.

NY Mets holding onto Eduardo Escobar is worth it

When it looked like the Mets were getting Carlos Correa, Eduardo Escobar trade rumors were red hot. They never did get Correa because of his failure to pass the physical. So, what did the Mets do? They put a stake through the heart of those thoughts about trading away Escobar. It’ll be the right decision to make.

If anyone can turn things around this year, I believe it’s Escobar. He got so hot in the final month of the season. Some of it must carry over into 2023.

Escobar’s ability to play more than third base can at least translate into him becoming a bench player with pop. The Mets are loaded with guys with the potential to do the same. The difference between Escobar and some of those younger players is he can actually do it.

The one complaint, if there is one, would be that Escobar is blocking Brett Baty. This is a minor concern. The two could easily share playing time at the position. If Escobar hits, give him chances as the DH, too. Those inconveniences have a way of working out over the course of a 162-game schedule.

We’ll be thankful in 2023 that the Mets didn’t trade Escobar, at least not this offseason. Baty could always prove himself as the superior third baseman. In that case, maybe Escobar does in fact become someone to move. For now, he looks well worth keeping.