After the New York Mets hired David Stearns as President of Baseball Operations, it essentially forced Billy Eppler's hand. Eppler did not want to stay around when the decision making was stripped of him. As for Stearns, he likely wants to hire his own general manager. It's only fair.
So, in similar fashion to Buck Showalter, Eppler left Queens. Showalter has since reappeared on the radar of at least one managerial opening (the Angels), but it's unclear if Eppler will do the same. A year off and a fresh set of openings could do the former Mets executive some good.
With money at his disposal, Eppler was able to sign big-name free agents like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. He also let Jacob deGrom walk. Then, at the trade deadline, Eppler packaged Verlander and Scherzer with that same cash to essentially buy some top-100 prospects in Drew Gilbert and Luisangel Acuña.
Overall, it's tough to criticize Eppler's tenure too much. He did what was asked of him, including tearing down a contender with less than a month's notice prior to the trade deadline. As he exits, these Mets could follow him out the door.
Carlos Carrasco will likely not return to the Mets
Carrasco's rocky tenure with the Mets should come to an end this winter. Cookie is coming off a down 2023 season, and has struggled with injuries since he came over from Cleveland. Carrasco could provide value elsewhere -- perhaps outside of such a large media market -- and catch on as a back-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. That just won't come in New York.
Carrasco's season ended in a freak dumbbell accident which broke his pinky finger. Showalter was blunt at the time when asked about Carrasco's Mets future.
"He's going to pitch again next year for somebody," Showalter said. "We'll see if it's for us or not."
I hate to play spoiler, but it won't be the Mets. New York has its eyes on some bigger fish, and with Carrasco hitting the open market, expect him to find a new home.
Jose Peraza will not play in Queens next season
Peraza didn't play an MLB game with the Mets in 2023, as he was a non-roster invitee to spring training. Eventually, he played in New York's farm system, essentially as a break-in-case-of-emergency option.
New York is set at shortstop thanks to Francisco Lindor and Ronny Mauricio, a top-100 prospect who finally made his way to the big leagues next season. Peraza is just 29 years old, and on some teams could at least receive a spring training invite with a realistic chance of actually making the team. New York is not one of those organizations, though, as they have plenty of depth up the middle.
Prior to the start of the 2023 season, Rising Apple's Tim Boyle discussed Peraza's strengths as an infielder:
"Peraza's ability to play all over the infield and give innings as an outfield makes him a worthy addition back onto the Mets roster. If he ends up with over 150 plate appearances again this year like he did in 2021, we'll know someone has been hurt for a very long time," Boyle wrote.
There is some value there, it's just not with the Mets.
Pete Alonso's future is murky with Mets
Pete Alonso's Mets future is uncertain. While David Stearns sounded like he wanted Alonso back in 2024 as the team's starting first baseman, he has yet to attend the winter meetings, thus receiving offers for one of the best sluggers in the league. Stearns opinion could change given the caliber of prospects a player like Alonso could fetch.
"The entire package weighs into it. Pete is a great player. He is also good in the clubhouse, and he is also homegrown. All of that matters," Stearns said. "I expect Pete to be the Opening Day first baseman next year. Pete is an important member of this team. He's an important member of this organization, and I think we're really fortunate to have him."
Alonso has been heavily linked to the Chicago Cubs so far, and more teams could emerge once the postseason ends. Chicago may lose Cody Bellinger this offseason, as well as Jeimer Candelario at first base. There is almost certainly an opening there, and if Alonso is as interested in the Windy City as reports claim he is, then expect the Cubs to make a phone call.
Bruce Levine told 670 The Score that Chicago is prepared to make an offer. That offer should not include Pete Crow-Armstrong, of course, but there are other high-caliber players in the Cubs farm system who could be on the table.
Alonso's contract is up after 2024. If the Mets are going to trade him rather than extend him, now is the time.
