Billy Eppler spoke with reporters before Tuesday's much-needed win against the Brewers, and when asked how much blame he takes for the Mets' current standing, Eppler noted that he put the team together, though it consists of players who are capable of much more.
"I constructed the roster," Eppler said. "We put this team together, a large part of it we put together last year, and supplemented it with some pieces that we lost in the winter. But ultimately, this is the club we have right now and I think we expect them to be able to do more. I think they expect it of themselves."
If those players Eppler brought in don't do more, and the team is as far or even further back of a Wild card spot as the Mets are right now, could the unfathomable occur, and could Eppler look to sell at the trade deadline?
"One of the benefits you have is that every time we play you have a chance to change the story," Eppler said. "We have a decent amount or runway before the deadline. We hope we can change the story. If we can, we can add. If it doesn't we'll have to create other opportunities and see what else exists out there. A lot of the focus is on the present and how we can attack each day."
The Mets have already made one move, trading veteran Eduardo Escobar to the Angels for a pair of minor league pitchers over the weekend. But Eppler says that move doesn't mean other teams are inquiring about the Mets' veterans, noting teams are currently much more focused on the draft before looking into potential trades and where other teams stand.
"No, not at this juncture," Eppler said. "This juncture, you're starting to have some initial conversations about what you might do and what you might be interested and things of that nature. But nothing specific."
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