Ex-Mets GM: I got lowballed with player they just acquired

The New York Mets on Wednesday swung a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers that was years in the making, even if the men in charge are different now.

According to reports, president of baseball operations David Stearns acquired pitcher Adrian Houser and outfielder Tyrone Taylor for prospect pitcher Coleman Crow, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. But the cost of one of those former Brewers players was much steeper three years ago in the mind of a former Mets general manager — and it just so happens Stearns was in charge of Milwaukee then.

BUY METS TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

“Good deal for the Mets,” Zack Scott wrote on X. “Before the ‘21 season, the Brewers asked me about McNeil for Houser. This is better. #Mets #Brewers #MLB.”

It was a bold ask by then-GM Matt Arnold, per Scott, as Houser was coming off a season in which he posted a 5.30 ERA in 56 innings, while McNeil posted a .311 average, four home runs and 130 OPS+ in 2020, a year after he swatted a career-high 23 home runs. At the time, Houser, who will be a free agent in 2025, and McNeil, who has since been signed through 2027, were not arbitration-eligible.

However, it speaks to the potential value of a controllable starting pitcher, and Houser, even if not overpowering, was a year removed from a 3.72 ERA over 111 innings. Even more telling: general managers are actually kind of like fantasy baseball managers!

“It was a quick no,” Scott told one fan on X.

He said he “pivoted to discuss (Corbin) Burnes,” who would win a Cy Young that season.

“It obviously didn’t go anywhere,” said Scott, who was with the Mets from 2020-21.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.