Are you smarter than a Billy Eppler?

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Let’s pretend that Billy Eppler is still in charge. I’ve said what I felt about Billy in the past. He’s not the smartest guy in the room, not the dumbest. He lacks creativity, but is also not going to do something crazy thinking it will work out. He doesn’t sign Frankie Montas. He doesn’t sign Clay Holmes either. 
 

Billy Eppler’s 2026 Mets have Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo. He probably would have given Dylan Cease a long term deal. He definitely brings back Edwin Diaz. And though they would have been better, they’re also tied down to a bunch of long term deals. But thankfully, Billy wasn’t in charge for 2026. So we have some long term flexibility. 
 

What would Billy do this year?  He goes for Skubal aggressively. And if he misses, he falls back to Michael King or Clay Holmes (established Clay Holmes is now in Billy’s comfort zone). Billy signs another back of the rotation guy. Maybe a bounce back candidate like Brady Singer. 
 

He signs one established reliever, but not a closer. Let’s say Alex Vesia. Maybe Jonathan Loaisiga. He fills in with a few non-roster guys around them. 
 

At 1B he goes hard after Sato. If he misses then it’s Ty France, disregarding the risk of signing a one year wonder. Checks in on Jake Bauers too. 
 

I don’t think he upgrades 2B. I think he lets Semien start the season there and hopes one of the kids steps up and takes his place. 
 

We’re expensive. We’re locked into a bunch of long term deals, but I think Billy gets us a wild card in 2027.