MLB execs retract criticism over Mets' deadline decisions
The New York Mets are proving that success is the best form of revenge.
The club is right back in playoff contention after a few bold decisions ahead of the trade deadline, and have made critics eat their words after winning 10 out of 13 - including an eight-game winning streak - since July 31.
"The Mets are getting the last laugh so far," one AL executive told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. "I referred to them as 'delusional' at the time, but I guess I was wrong. The mindset that they were in, it seemed ridiculous at the deadline, but I guess they knew what they were doing."
New York acquired right-hander Marcus Stroman when the team was five games under .500. The Mets also decided to hold on to starters Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler despite plenty of reported trade interest.
"They could have traded off pieces and taken a step back to assess the future - but they didn't," an AL GM said. "They wanted to field a competitive club. They deserve some applause for that. The playbook for teams in that situation the last couple of years has been to trade off players.
"You can't pan their decision and also moan and groan about teams not trying to be competitive in the near term; they didn't do that. You have to acknowledge it and tip your cap. Good for them."
An NL executive added: "Good for them being aggressive, seeing a chance to win, and going for it. That's hard to do sitting at or around .500."
The Mets (61-58) sit two games out of the NL's second wild-card spot and three games out of the first entering Wednesday's action.