Wow bit trade today. 1 day left till the end of the trade deadline.
Little trade first.
The mets traded Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster to the O's for Greg Soto. Soto's an above average, but inconsistent reliever, too many walks. He's great against lefties though, so he has his uses. He's a free agent after this year, but he's a solid add.
Wellington Aracena has plus stuff. He was ranked about the Mets 20th best prospect. He's young, and a still a year or two away from even needing to be added to the 40 man roster for protection. A solid get for the O's, but not a huge price to pay for bullpen help, especially since the Mets pen has been struggling lately. lefty relievers are useful. Solid trade for both teams I think.
Now, the big trade.
The Mets paid a pretty price for Tyler Rogers, who's lead the league in games pitched 4 of the last 6 years including this year. He's 34 and a free agent after this year, but he's a legit set-up man and he makes this team better.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/new-york-mets-acquire-workhorse-relief-pitcher-in-trade-with-san-francisco-giants/ar-AA1JBxyF?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=688a8635914b42d8b36f5560e01721cc&ei=12They gave up: Jose Butto, who's spot they probably wanted to open up on the 26 man. Blade Tidwell (I knew Tidwell as a trade candidate. He's a spot starter, his fastball is a little too straight and he's probably better than his current 9.00 ERA and 7.43 WHIP over 15 innings, but he doesn't look like he's ever going to be more than a swingman. The Mets also gave the Giants Drew Gilbert, and that might hurt. Gilbert's numbers don't stand out, but in AAA he's got an 11% walk rate and a 16% K rate, which is solid, some power, a plus arm and respectable glove. He's maybe an average CF and a plus defensive RF, maybe a 4th OF type, but possibly more.
The Giants at .500 are still, maybe, if you squint, in the playoff hunt, but I guess they saw 3 players as better than 1 very good reliever and all 3 guys could play a role for the giants when rosters expand. Butto before then because he's out of options.
As for the Mets, the probably believe that Benge is the future. Benge has been tearing it up lately. They have a few other guys who could maybe see time in the OF, like Jett Williams, so they felt that Gilbert was expendable for Tyler Rodgers, who shores up their bullpen nicely.
I don't think anyone believes that Gilbert will be the next Pete Crow Armstrong, but it's possible that Gilbert will have a good enough career to make us regret this trade, but you have to pay to add good pieces. There's no simple way around that.
I think the Mets did OK. I'm curious if they have another move planned.
And one more trade for St. Louis' reliever, Ryan Helsley, also an expiring deal.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/cardinals-send-ryan-helsley-to-mets-in-trade-deadline-blockbuster/ar-AA1JBIKH?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ACTS&cvid=50f2b7baa6a64f1882baf1b9185cdf7f&ei=7Baez, who got some attention last year and made BA's top 100, though he fell out o their top 100 this year and Nate Dohm, drafted last year, having a nice season so far. Elissalt wasn't in their top 30, but had solid numbers and also drafted last year. Org depth for St. Louis.
A high price to pay for 2 rentals, but Mets are going for it this year. I respect that. I wonder if they'll add a hitter before the deadline.
Still, with the high payment, the Mets didn't give up any top prospects and they eased some of their roster crowding. Butto was a bad outing or two away from being DFA'd. Tidwell was on the 40, but not very useful this year and Gilbert would have been added to the 40 this off-season, so they have more room now and in the off-season. Baez was the only one who was maybe in their top 10 and he was close to the back of their top 10.
