Meet the Mets
There are more exciting things to talk about, but we are contractually obligated to inform you that the Mets lost to the Padres yesterday 5-0 to complete a three-game sweep in San Diego. Clay Holmes had another poor start, giving up 4 runs in 3.2 innings, but it hardly mattered much since the bats only managed three measly hits against Yu Darvish and company. The Mets will now enjoy a day off before beginning a three-game series against the Giants at Citi Field.
Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue,
NY Post, Newsday, Daily News, North Jersey,
Now, the stuff you actually want to read about! The Mets made two major bullpen acquisitions ahead of today’s trade deadline, as they first acquired Tyler Rogers from the Giants and then picked up Ryan Helsley from the Cardinals a few hours later.
The back of the Mets’ bullpen is now looking pretty dominant following the trades and some are dubbing it a “super bullpen.”
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com delved deeper into the Mets’ thinking behind the Rogers trade and why they were willing to part with the players they did. Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic also wrote about the Mets’ approach to the market and why they targeted rental relievers rather than alternatives routes, like getting a starter or relievers with more team control like at last year’s deadline.
José Buttó was one of the players traded away by the Mets yesterday, and he was shown receiving and reacting to the news during the news.
Juan Soto was out of yesterday’s lineup after fouling a ball off his foot the night before, but the Mets expect him back on the field shortly—likely tomorrow.
Okay, one more detail about yesterday’s crappy game: Francisco Alvarez left midway through after taking a foul ball to the head, but he passed concussion protocol.
The Mets have been and will continue to be buyers, as they pursue a bat before tonight’s deadline, but there’s also a good chance they trade away Paul Blackburn.
Around the National League East
The Phillies had the chance to go into first place in the National League East with a win yesterday, but instead they surrendered a seven-run inning to the White Sox in the seventh inning and ultimately fell 9-3 to drop two of three to Chicago.
Philadelphia pulled off an even bigger bullpen acquisition than the Mets yesterday, acquiring Jhoan Durán from the Twins in exchange for catching prospect Eduardo Tait and pitcher Mick Abel—two of the Phillies’ top 6 prospects.
Much like the Mets, the Phillies are now done adding to their bullpen, but continue to seek an outfield bat before tonight’s deadline.
The Braves went nine innings without scoring a run, kept the Royals off the board during that same time, went to extra innings and didn’t score in the tenth, and then immediately surrendered a walk-off hit in the bottom of the inning to lose to Kansas City 1-0.
The Braves were active on the trade market yesterday, acquiring RHP Tyler Kinley from the Rockies in exchange for Austin Smith. Atlanta also sent old friend Rafael Montero to the Tigers for minor league infielder Jim Jarvis.
But perhaps the bigger news coming out of Atlanta is that Ronald Acuña Jr. has landed back on the injured list—this time with a Grade 1 calf strain.
Jose Altuve racked up four hits in the Astros’ 9-1 rout of the Nationals.
The Nationals partnered with the Angels for a trade, sending relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García to Anaheim for 1B Sam Brown and LHP Jake Eder.
The Nationals also traded Mike Soroka to the Cubs in exchange for OF Christian Franklin and SS Ronny Cruz.
The Marlins shut out the Cardinals 2-0, as Cal Quantrill delivered five scoreless innings for Miami, earning the win.
Around Major League Baseball
Shohei Ohtani was forced to leave his start yesterday after just six pitches due to cramps, though he did stay in the game as a hitter.
Allowing a salary cap would be an insult to Curt Flood’s legacy, writes Ian O’Connor of The Athletic.
“I have a lot of questions for him,” Max Scherzer said to The Athletic regarding Rob Manfred in the aftermath of reporting revealing a tense exchange between Manfred and Bryce Harper when the commissioner visited the Phillies. “I look forward to him coming here. I haven’t seen him.”
A check-swing challenge system is currently being tested in the minor leagues. Ben Dickson of Newsday spoke to players in the Mets system about how it is working and whether they could see it being implemented in the big leagues.
There have been 29 deals so far as we wake up on trade deadline day. Let’s try to run down the highlights.
The Mets weren’t the only New York team active on the trade market yesterday. The Yankees acquired OF Austin Slater from the White Sox for pitching prospect Gage Ziehl.
The White Sox are also likely to trade Adrian Houser before tonight’s deadline. Thus, he was scratched from his scheduled start yesterday.
On the same day his twin brother was traded, Taylor Rogers went to Pittsburgh along with SS prospect Sammy Stafura in a deal that sent third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Reds. Rogers is expected to potentially be used as a piece in another deal and be flipped elsewhere.
The Pirates also traded LHP Caleb Ferguson to the Mariners for pitching prospect Jeter Martinez.
The Reds acquired righty Zack Littell from the Rays in a three-team trade that also involves the Dodgers. Righty Brian Van Belle is headed from Cincinnati to Tampa Bay. The Reds are reportedly sending pitching prospect Adam Serwinowski to the Dodgers, who’ll trade catcher Hunter Feduccia to Tampa Bay. Reliever Paul Gervase and minor league catcher Ben Rortvedt are going from the Rays to the Dodgers.
The Houston Astros acquired Ramón Urías from the Orioles for minor league pitcher Twine Palmer in order to make up for the loss of Isaac Paredes to injury.
The Orioles also dealt reliever Andrew Kittredge to the Cubs for a return that has not yet been reported.
The Astros have been making a big push to try to get Dylan Cease from the Padres, but have not yet made headway on that. In the meantime, they are also engaged with the Marlins on a potential deal for Sandy Alcantara.
The Red Sox acquired Steven Matz from the Cardinals in a deal that sent 1B Blaze Jordan to St. Louis.
Eugenio Suárez is back with the Mariners. The Diamondbacks received three prospects in return from Seattle: 1B Tyler Locklear, RHP Hunter Cranton, and RHP Juan Burgos.
The Phillies and Mets will certainly have competition in the market for a bat. The Padres are in pursuit of Jarren Duran and Steven Kwan and are still hot after A’s closer Mason Miller as well.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that the Guardians are trying to move both Kwan and starter Shane Bieber ahead of tonight’s deadline.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
We continued to consider potential trade targets, as Alexander Choi looked at Sandy Alcántara and Linus Lawrence examined both Joe Ryan and Steven Kwan.
This Date in Mets History
Wilmer Flores had his famous extra-inning walk-off homer against the Nationals on this date in 2015.
More from amazinavenue.com:
- Mets Morning News for March 13, 2019
- Grading the Mets’ minor league signings
- Devin Mesoraco is back after a decent 2018 with the Mets
- Jed Lowrie Resumes Baseball Activites
- Mets spring training postional battles (through March 11, 2019)
- Open Thread: Mets vs. Astros, spring training, 3/13/19
- Introducing Amazin’ Avenue FanPulse
