Mets’ season hinges on David Stearns acing first trade deadline test with bullpen

I’m grimacing.

(Just to be clear, that’s grimacing with a lower case “g,” unrelated to the fuzzy purple character so lucky he/she has seemingly sent Mr. Met to the bench.)

This should be a time for unadulterated celebration for the improving Mets. Yet, it’s also a time for worry.

I’m grimacing because I’m worried about my prediction of May 18 that the Mets are playoff bound. I’m grimacing because all the good they’ve done to get back close to playoff position may be undone by an outmanned, overtaxed, under-experienced bullpen.

The Mets are in the race, though their 10-5 defeat in a seriously rain-delayed 11 innings Sunday against Houston at Citi Field dropped them a game under .500 at exactly the halfway point. There’s a lot to like about this team. But the pen that’s blown a league-high six leads after eight innings (tied with the Rockies) despite mid-rung overall numbers is bringing serious agita now.

Their lineup depth is outstanding, and maybe matched by their rotation depth, so good they currently have three viable big-league starters in Triple-A at a time many other teams are scraping for starters. The Astros are seven-deep with starters on the injured list and had to employ a bullpen game.

Good thing the Mets won’t ever need to try such a thing because the Mets can barely piece together a bullpen for three innings, much less a bullpen game. Injuries to Drew Smith, Brooks Raley (both out for the year) plus Sean Reid-Foley hurt.

So does the temporary loss of Edwin Diaz, who must sit five more games after being caught with hands so sticky you wonder how he thought he’d ever be able to release the baseball. His memorably losing defense was, that’s the way he always does it.

It’s a potential plus to get Diaz back, but let’s face it, not if he pitches like he did before he was caught wet-handed. I caught up with Mets baseball president David Stearns, and he expressed faith In Diaz.

“I do think Edwin is a very talented pitcher,” Stearns said.

While that’s fair, he was kerosene on fire even before going on the banned list. For now, they’re shuttling guys without his talent (or $102 million contract) from Triple-A. The Mets just summoned journeyman Tyler Jay and Brooklyn-born and Staten Island St. Joseph by the Sea alum Matt Festa (although the Festavus celebration was called off after he gave up five runs in the losing 11th).

“Where we’re at bullpen-wise, it’s day-to-day,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We have Plan A, B and C, and we’ll adjust accordingly.”

Hopefully, the plan they end up using involves acquiring proven MLB relievers. If they want to win one of the final two wild-card spots among nine NL competitors, status quo is unlikely to suffice.

Stearns, a New Yorker from the Upper East Side, spent his first seven years in charge in Milwaukee, where media is minimal and fans mild. Stearns certainly understands he’s out of Milwaukee now, and that Mets fans will insist on going for it whenever there’s a chance. And yes, I’m saying there’s a chance.

No, barring a collapse Pete Alonso isn’t going anywhere. The focus is on the buy side, and on the pen.

“Certainly, this is an area of the team we’re going to continue to monitor,” Stearns told The Post.

They are a rare fortunate contender that won’t need rotation or positional aid. They, in fact, may be the only contending team that may trade from their stash of starters while still staying in the race, as our Mike Puma reported. Jose Butto, Christian Scott and Megill are extras now, meaning vets like Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana or even Luis Severino could hit the market.

And while trade talk doesn’t get serious until mid-July, the other fortunate thing is plenty of back-end relievers may be available. Here’s our latest list:

1. Tanner Scott, Marlins: The lefty is ideal, but the competition is stiff, with the Yankees among many interested.

2. Mason Miller, A’s: The 103.7 mph thrower still seems unlikely to be dealt.

3. Pete Fairbanks, Rays: Good stuff, fun personality.

4. Kyle Finnegan, Nats: Beyond losing on a time-violation walk-off, outstanding.

5. Paul Sewald, Diamondbacks: Ex-Met is terrific if D-Backs fade.

6. Carlos Estevez, Angels: Solid, no frills type.

7. Garrett Crochet, White Sox: New rotation star likely goes to a team needing starters.

8. David Bednar, Pirates: One of the better relievers in the game, but for today the Pirates are buyers.

9. Camilo Duval, Giants: We are far from them selling.

10. Kenley Jansen, Red Sox: No certainty he goes, and $16 million salary untenable for team taxed at 110 percent.

11. Michael Kopech, White Sox: Big arm but a flier.

It’s tough to acquire via trade in early July when few are selling — two at last count, the Marlins and White Sox — and prices are high. But as things stand, the Mets’ pen is composed of heavily used veterans and lightly tested journeymen. So the situation is bordering on dire. This is Stearns’ first big trading test.