The Mets have discovered a pair of lefties whom they hope might help.
The Mets traded for lefty-hitting outfielder Tyler Naquin and southpaw Phillip Diehl from the Reds on Thursday evening. Heading to Cincinnati are a pair of minor league prospects in righty Jose Acuna and outfielder Hector Rodriguez.
Naquin, a 31-year-old nook outfielder, is the extra important addition. Just like the just lately acquired Daniel Vogelbach, Naquin does his most injury towards righty pitchers, towards whom he has posted an .805 OPS with 5 house runs in 144 at-bats this season.
Naquin, who makes simply over $4 million this season, shall be a free agent after the yr. He may platoon with righty-hitting left fielder Mark Canha — who additionally may transfer over to spell Brandon Nimmo at occasions in heart — and should substitute fourth outfielder Travis Jankowski, who is an efficient defensive alternative and base runner however provides little offensively.
With Naquin within the fold, the Mets can extra frequently maintain Jeff McNeil at second base fairly than shifting him to left and may have one other lefty bat off the bench.
The Mets have been the worst pinch-hitting group in baseball, going 5-for-43 (.116) with two doubles and 5 walks. Dominic Smith, who has batted .250 in such conditions, is the one Mets participant hitting above .170 as a pinch hitter. Including Naquin, a professional in his seventh season with a historical past of being a roughly league-average hitter however above-average towards righties, ought to enhance the membership’s depth.
Diehl is a 28-year-old former Yankees prospect with 19 profession main league innings. He has spent the vast majority of this season with the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, the place he pitched to a 4.24 ERA in 25 video games out of the bullpen. In 5 ²/₃ main league innings this season, he has allowed seven runs.
The Mets solely have Joely Rodriguez (5.93 ERA) and David Peterson (who has been a starter most of this yr) as lefties proper now of their bullpen and have been (and certain nonetheless are) trying to find assist.
Acuna is a 19-year-old who just lately was promoted from Rookie League to Low-A St. Lucie, sporting a 2.67 ERA in 33 ²/₃ mixed innings this season.
Rodriguez, 18, additionally made his full-season ball debut at St. Lucie this season. In 26 video games in Rookie Ball this season, he has hit .356.
To clear a 40-man roster spot, righty R.J. Alvarez was designated for task.
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