The recent trade between the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers wasn’t just a swap of talent-it was a reunion of sorts. Beneath the surface of the deal lies a deeper web of front office connections, particularly involving former Mets general manager Billy Eppler, that adds some fascinating layers to this transaction.
Let’s start with the core of the deal: the Brewers parting ways with a fan-favorite ace in exchange for two promising Mets prospects. While Milwaukee fans are understandably feeling the sting of losing a cornerstone arm, there’s a silver lining-they’ve brought in real talent. And for Eppler, now serving as a special advisor with the Brewers, it’s a bit of a full-circle moment.
Eppler, who served as Mets GM before stepping down in 2023 and later joining the Brewers in a more behind-the-scenes role, had a direct hand in drafting both of the prospects Milwaukee just acquired. In fact, his connection to one of them, right-hander Brandon Sproat, is particularly unique.
Eppler selected Sproat in back-to-back drafts-first in 2022 (when Sproat opted not to sign), then again in 2023 when he did. That kind of persistence is rare in baseball’s draft landscape, and it speaks volumes about how highly Eppler valued Sproat’s potential.
Now, with Sproat officially joining the Brewers via trade, Eppler finally gets to work with the pitcher he twice tried to bring into the fold. That kind of continuity-drafting a player, watching them develop, and then reacquiring them-is uncommon, and it’s a testament to how front office relationships and long-term scouting evaluations can shape the future of a franchise.
Jett Williams, the other piece in the deal, was Eppler’s first-round pick in 2022. His development has been one of the brighter spots in the Mets’ farm system, and now, Eppler gets to see the fruits of his scouting labor pay off in Milwaukee. It’s a rare opportunity for a former GM to reconnect with two of his more promising draft picks in a completely different organization.
While most of the focus has been on Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns and his ties to Milwaukee-having served as the Brewers’ GM and president for several years-it’s Eppler’s quieter connection that might end up being just as influential. Stearns certainly knows the Brewers’ roster inside and out, but his time working with some of the younger players, like the recently traded pitcher, was brief. Eppler, on the other hand, has a deeper history with the Mets’ farm, and that insight may have helped grease the wheels on this deal.
This kind of front office overlap is nothing new in Major League Baseball. Relationships matter.
Connections matter. And when a former GM like Eppler ends up in a new front office, those past evaluations and personal ties don’t just disappear-they can shape trade talks, draft strategies, and player development philosophies.
Looking ahead, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more Mets-Brewers deals materialize, not necessarily because of Stearns’ past in Milwaukee, but because of Eppler’s fingerprints on the Mets’ system. Names like Trevor Megill could be on the radar, though any potential move would likely wait until the summer or next offseason. And while the Mets’ minor league depth has thinned out since their 2023 trade deadline sell-off, a few intriguing prospects-some of whom were brought in under Eppler’s watch-remain worth monitoring.
As for the rest of the Mets’ recent first-rounders, the jury’s still out. Kevin Parada, another 2022 selection, has had a rocky path with inconsistent production and questions about his long-term role.
The 2023 pick, a late-round bat with big swing-and-miss issues, has yet to find his footing. Colin Houck, the 2024 selection, is still early in his development and has ground to cover before entering the conversation with Williams or Sproat.
In the end, this trade wasn’t just about filling roster needs or shifting payroll-it was a reminder that in baseball, the past is never too far behind. When front office minds like Eppler and Stearns cross paths again, the deals they make often carry more meaning than meets the eye.