Billy Eppler showing same worrying tendencies with New York Mets

You have to give Billy Eppler credit – he has certainly gotten to work quickly. The recently hired New York Mets‘ general manager has struck quickly, signing Eduardo Escobar and Mark Canha to a pair of two year contracts. Both players add versatility to the roster, something that the Mets needed more of, while filling distinct needs.

Those signings also do not take them out of other possible moves. They are still interested in bringing in Starling Marte and retaining Javier Baez, further looking to strengthen the lineup. But there is still a major problem that has not been addressed with the pitching staff.

Billy Eppler still empty on pitching with New York Mets

The Mets are not ignoring their pitching staff per se. They are aware that they need to add pitching, something that they have said that they are looking into. After all, they had felt that they would end up with Steven Matz until he did not give the organization a chance to match the offer he received from the Cardinals.

But the same issues befell Eppler during his tenure with the Angels. There was a constant need to address the pitching staff, something that would be acknowledged. The Angels would make a publicized run at some of the top arms in free agency, only to fall short each time. They would then slap a one year bandage on the problem, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.

Eppler has not had much time with the Mets. Chances are, he is still unpacking his boxes and getting his office set up. And several pitchers, both for the rotation and bullpen, were signed before he got the job. It is difficult to say what his plans would have been on that front had he been there at the beginning of free agency.

Nonetheless, Eppler and the Mets may need to act quickly in order to get the pieces they need for the pitching staff. Their interest in Kevin Gausman has been floated about recently, but unless he actually signs in New York, this is just a repeat of what would happen with the Angels. Eppler has time to prove that he has learned from his experiences in Los Angeles, but there are only so many arms.

One of the biggest concerns with Billy Eppler was his ability to put together a pitching staff. Those concerns are still there after his first moves.