2) The NY Mets trade for Jeff Brigham and Elieser Hernandez won’t reach syndication
A more recent episode of Billy Eppler transactions took place over last winter. In a low-key trade with the Miami Marlins to help restock the bullpen, the Mets acquired Jeff Brigham and Elieser Hernandez from the Miami Marlins. Brigham appeared to be a candidate to go back and forth from the majors to minors all year in the team’s quest to have controllable relievers. Hernandez was a spot starter option but more so a long-man the Mets could use out of the bullpen.
The first bad omen came when Hernandez suffered a spring injury. Not to worry. Brigham was healthy and when he first appeared on the major league roster, he was really good. He even has the fifth most innings of work as a reliever for the club this season despite no longer having a 26-man roster spot.
The problem with Brigham has been how bad he has been when he’s having an “off-day.” There are six instances among his 32 appearances where he gave up 2 or more earned runs. It happened in two of his last three appearances. This doesn’t even include the performance against the Philadelphia Phillies when he was credited with the blown save.
In Hernandez’s case, we have yet to see him pitch in the majors. We’re past the point of really caring much about what he can bring to the ball club in 2023.