For the second straight season, the Mets completed a blockbuster deal at the non-waiver Trade Deadline, acquiring outfielder Jay Bruce from the Reds for infielder Dilson Herrera and left-hander Max Wotell.
Bruce, 29, leads the National League with 80 RBIs in 97 games, thanks in large part to a .360 batting average with runners in scoring position -- a significant bugaboo for the Mets' current lineup, which ranks last in the Majors in that category at .206. Bruce is both a natural right fielder and a left-handed hitter, meaning he is likely to displace Curtis Granderson at that position.
The Mets came close to acquiring Bruce at the Deadline last year, but they balked at the Reds' asking price of a package centered around starting pitcher Zack Wheeler. They traded for Yoenis Cespedes instead, giving up Michael Fulmer in the deal with the Tigers.
Herrera, 22, played 31 games at second base for the Mets last season, hitting .211 with three home runs and six RBIs.
Wotell, 19, was a third-round Draft pick in 2015 and is ranked as the Mets' No. 16 prospect by MLBPipeline.com. He is 3-1 with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in 29 2/3 innings for the Rookie-level Kingsport this season.
Anthony DiComo has covered the Mets for MLB.com since 2008. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDiComo and Facebook, and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
0 commentaires:
Enregistrer un commentaire