Welcome to Queens, Billy Eppler.
The New York Mets general manager capped his first week on the job by signing not one, not two, but THREE impact free agents.
It began Friday at 5:27 p.m. ET when MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported the Mets agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract with infielder Eduardo Escobar.
The 32-year-old Escobar played for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers in 2021, hitting 28 home runs and earning his first All-Star nod.
Then came ESPN’s Jeff Passan’s report at 8:18 p.m. ET that the Mets had a deal with former Oakland A’s outfielder Mark Canha.
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported Canha got a two-year, $26.5 million deal (which includes a club option).
The 32-year-old Canha hit 17 home runs in 2021 and was hit by a pitch an MLB-leading 27 times.
But Eppler saved the best move for last, with Heyman reporting at 11:55 p.m. ET the Mets landed outfielder Starling Marte with a four-year, $78 million contract.
Mets cap their huge day by landing by far the best CF on the free agent market. Starling Martè flanked by Mark Canha and Brandon Nimmo is a very good defensive OF. In all the Mets spent $124.5M today (with Canha and Eduardo Escobar).
The 33-year-old Marte is a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and was an All-Star in 2016. He hit .310 in 2021, splitting the season between the A’s and Miami Marlins.
Marte was considered one of the best outfielders available in free agency, and had been linked to several contenders, including the New York Yankees.
Eppler, as you may remember, was Yankees general manager Brian Cashman’s right-hand man before heading to the Los Angeles Angels in 2015.
But now the student has become the master with Eppler, in his triumphant return to the Big Apple, going 3-for-3 in free agency on Friday.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected].
