MIAMI — Tyler Naquin had heard commerce buzz, however nothing connecting him to the Mets.
That modified Thursday night time, when he acquired a cellphone name in Cincinnati informing him the Mets had acquired him. Within the commerce, the Mets additionally acquired minor league lefty reliever Phillip Diehl and despatched minor leaguers Hector Rodriguez and Jose Acuna to the Reds.
“It was positively out of the blue,” Naquin mentioned earlier than the Mets’ 6-4 victory over the Marlins. “I heard some issues about different groups, however yearly you type of hear one thing across the commerce deadline. I'm certain it’s going to start out heating up right here within the subsequent couple of days for everyone.”
The 31-year-old Naquin’s addition got here at Travis Jankowski’s expense. Jankowski was designated for project to clear roster house for Naquin, a left-handed hitter and outfielder.
Naquin, who didn't play within the Mets’ win, entered play with a .246/.305/.444 slash line with seven homers and 33 RBIs, bringing extra to the equation than Jankowski, who was hitless in his final 29 at-bats. Naquin started his profession with Cleveland, which included a World Sequence look in 2016.
“He brings vitality,” mentioned Carlos Carrasco, who spent 4 seasons as Naquin’s teammate in Cleveland. “Each time he’s within the outfield, he simply goes on the market and performs and he works arduous. I actually like that man. I noticed him the primary time once I [was] in Cleveland. He was probably the greatest prospects they'd and so they introduced him up and he performed actual nicely.”
Supervisor Buck Showalter mentioned he views Naquin as a participant who will help the Mets in no matter position given to him.
“He’s a man that may play all three outfield positions, left-handed bat, good defender and thrower and run the bases,” Showalter mentioned. “He can deliver some issues that every one golf equipment want, simply one other piece that we will maneuver and current a tricky lineup.”
Naquin’s presence will permit Jeff McNeil to play extra at second base and never play so typically in left discipline. With McNeil at second, the Mets are free to play Luis Guillorme extra typically at third, the place Eduardo Escobar has struggled offensively, particularly towards right-handers.
“I feel due to the flexibility of Jeff and the flexibility of Louie and Escobar, it permits us to maneuver the items round and maintain all people intact bodily and attempt to put our greatest foot ahead each night time,” Showalter mentioned. “Not simply pure matchups, however when any individual may want a day we gained’t have a drop off in efficiency. Simply one other solution to assault the remainder of the season.”
Naquin’s arrival got here every week after the Mets acquired Daniel Vogelbach, one other left-handed bat, from the Pirates. The Mets will head to the commerce deadline Tuesday with a right-handed hitter and bullpen assistance on the radar.
Naquin is welcoming the chance to play for a postseason contender, having escaped a final place predicament with the Reds.
“They've an excellent workforce right here, simply during the lineup,” Naquin mentioned, noting that he confronted Max Scherzer through the Mets’ journey to Cincinnati earlier this month. “You will get the brunt of it for certain, so it’s thrilling. … It’s an excellent ball membership, an excellent workers and I hear it’s an excellent surroundings.”
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