The Reds and Mets have lined up on a trade sending outfielder Tyler Naquin and minor league reliever Phillip Diehl from Cincinnati to New York. In exchange, the Reds are acquiring a pair of low minors prospects, right-hander Jose Acuña and second baseman Hector Rodríguez. Both clubs have announced the agreement.
Naquin had been one of the more obvious trade candidates around the league. The 31-year-old is set to reach free agency at the end of the season, so there was little reason for the last-place Reds not to look to move him for future value. He’ll head to Queens as the second left-handed bat the Mets have added in as many weeks. New York picked up first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach in a deal with the Pirates last Friday.
A former first-round pick of Cleveland, Naquin had an excellent rookie season back in 2016. His offensive productivity was up-and-down for the rest of his time there, but he’s settled in as a solid platoon bat over the past two years. Naquin signed a minor league deal with Cincinnati over the 2020-21 offseason, and he cracked the Opening Day roster last year. That paved for the way for a season and a half as a Red, in which he posted a .262/.324/.462 line through 655 plate appearances.
That overall offensive productivity is a hair above average, and Naquin has been quite good when holding the platoon advantage. He’s popped 23 homers in 542 plate appearances against right-handed pitching over the past couple seasons, compiling a .278/.338/.503 mark against righties. That power has translated outside of the Reds hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, and the Mets figure to leverage him as a platoon player down the stretch.
The Mets have one of the game’s best outfields, with a trio of Mark Canha, Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte manning the grass. Canha and Marte will continue to pick up the lion’s share of playing time in the corners, but Naquin complements those veteran right-handed bats. He’ll also supplement a DH group that includes Vogelbach and Dominic Smith from the left side, as well as the righty-swinging J.D. Davis.
Naquin’s acquisition seemingly increases the likelihood that at least one of Smith or Davis gets dealt before next Tuesday’s deadline. The Mets have been on the hunt for offensive help for weeks, largely due to dissatisfaction with Smith’s and Davis’ performance. Adding a pair of DH/bench bats to an already full outfield and with superstar Pete Alonso at first base further clutters that group. Each of Smith and Davis has minor league options remaining, and the Mets have already optioned Smith this year. That’s a possibility if the club simply wants to stockpile as much depth as possible, but it also stands to reason they’d be open to trade opportunities.
The Mets will seemingly add a bit of money to the payroll, as there’s no indication cash considerations are changing hands. Naquin is playing this season on a $4.025MM salary, around $1.525MM of which is still to be paid. The Mets luxury tax figure is narrowly above the $290MM threshold, in the estimation of Jason Martinez of Roster Resource. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, a team that exceeds $290MM (the fourth and highest tier of CBT penalization) is taxed at an 80% rate for every dollar thereafter.
In addition to Naquin, the Mets add some non-roster bullpen depth. Diehl, who was outrighted off the Reds 40-man roster in May, won’t immediately occupy a spot on New York’s 40-man. He’s spent the bulk of the season with the Reds top affiliate in Louisville, working to a 4.24 ERA through 23 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old has an excellent 30.6% strikeout rate against a decent 8.2% walk percentage, although his fly-ball oriented approach has made him fairly home run prone.
New York’s left-handed relief depth is thin, with Joely Rodríguez and recent waiver claim Sam Clay the only two bullpen southpaws on the 40-man roster. Clay has been hit hard in four appearances with Triple-A Syracuse and has yet to appear in an MLB game as a Met. Rodríguez, acquired from the Yankees shortly before the season, owns a 5.93 ERA across 27 1/3 innings on the year. He’s striking out batters and inducing grounders at a decent clip, but he’s also walked a massive 16.3% of batters faced. Left-handed relief help figures to continue to be a target over the next few days even with Diehl bolstering the organizational depth.
To create space for Naquin on the 40-man roster, the Mets announced they’ve designated reliever R.J. Alvarez for assignment. The righty was selected onto the roster earlier this month but didn’t wind up making an MLB appearance. He’s had a nice season in Syracuse, working to a 3.16 ERA through 31 1/3 frames. The Mets will presumably place the 31-year-old on waivers in the coming days.
The Reds, meanwhile, add some talent to the lower levels. Rodríguez, an 18-year-old infielder, was recently ranked by Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs as the #30 prospect in the Mets organization. Longenhagen writes that the left-handed hitter has excellent bat control, but he has limited power upside in a 5’8″ frame. He was recently signed out of the Dominican Republic. Acuña, 19, was recently promoted to Low-A. He has never appeared on an organizational prospect list at FanGraphs or Baseball America.
It’s the first move of what’s likely to be a busy few days for Cincinnati general manager Nick Krall and his staff. Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle are the club’s top trade candidates, but they also have a host of rental bats who should generate interest. Beyond Naquin, Cincinnati could market impending free agent hitters Brandon Drury, Donovan Solano and Tommy Pham to contenders.
Robert Murray of FanSided first reported the Mets were acquiring Diehl. Joel Sherman of the New York Post first reported the Mets were acquiring Naquin. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com was first to report the prospect return.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Finally the blockbuster to get the trade market moving.
Fans may mock this move, but Naquin is a decent COF who can hit righties well (a 118 wRC+ this season, career 111). A perfect compliment to Canha and Marte.
Yeah brilliant… canha is crushing righties (hasn’t hit lefties at all) and marte is more than respectable against righties (.281 ba) while playing gold glove defense.
Perfect compliment!
Canha is a righty. His stats from one year don’t mean as much as general platoon splits. He’s better vs lefties. What he’s already done doesn’t matter now, it’s what he’ll likely do from here, which is hit better vs lefties. This was a good, if not very exciting move.
@Cosmo
Usually you are spot on, but Canha actually has reverse splits across the board (Avg/Obp/Slg) for his career.
Ah. I’m still skeptical as that could still be an anomaly but I won’t argue with the stats. Didn’t realize he was a career reverse splits guy.
@Cosmo
It’s not extreme .787 vs RHP and .742 against LHP. It is over 2400 at-bats, so it’s a large sample size.
That being said, I still like the trade, because it gives them a true 4th outfielder. It also keeps McNeil in the infield and Guillorme as depth.
This is what happens when all the real baseball gms and PBOs turn you down and you’re stuck with Billy Eppler as your gm…. You have a team that is the bottom half offensively against LEFT handed pitching and you go out and get two guys who can only hit righties.
And yet somehow the Mets are in 1st place. So strange…
Still time so hopefully someone who hits lhp is coming.
Yup. And without the best pitcher in baseball.
And only needed to spend near 300 million to do it. Wow what a draw along achievement.
You mean Volgelbachs platoon
Forget this… too tired to think
Vogelbach was brought in to pinch run, tag from third to intimidate the catcher, and clean out the buffet table post game.
0 WAR speaks for itself
I think the Mets are up to a big trade.They are getting players who could be flipping
Jankowski ,Smith ,JD Brandon Nimmo will all be gone by Tuesday night
Tomas Nido not not Nimmo sorry
Nimmo not going anywhere
Nido, really? Who replaces him? I mean, I’d love it but I don’t see it happening.
Neither Jankowski nor Nimmo are going anywhere. Dom and JD? They should be packing because come Wednesday they’re gonna be living out of a suit case for a few months.
He’s probably thinking Contreras as Nido in addition to a top 10-15 Mets’ prospec + one or two others would go the Cubs’ way for Contreras and Robertson.
Nido has been ranked high in game calling. I think there’s something there with the relevant success of the teams pitching.
Nimmo is going nowhere
Flipping Naquin, Volgebach, and a decent prospect (15ish) to the Red Sox for JDM.
I don’t agree with that package, but I can see JDM going to the Mets. That would be something.
Why would the Sox make that trade?
VonPurpleHayes;
We need to discuss the Phillies under their next article.
Who would’ve thought Phillip Diehl was a target of the Mets? Wow!
From the bottom to the top!
BREAK THE INTERNET
Your going to say that on every trade?
Did I post this before? Are you keeping track? Wow, that’s deeply sad.
It’s easy to remember when you keep saying. Nothing to keep track of loser
Did mommy drop you on your head?
Damn !!!? Stove has dropped !!!
This move makes no sense
It makes sense as it covers some needs for the Mets. But both these players suck.
Naquin is a solid OFr who can cover all 3 positions
Solid OFr? Not really. His defense is the worst part of his game. He’s a good hitter against RHP though.
Naquin doesn’t suck! What are talking about? He has had 2 good season for reds!
0 WAR this year
A counting stat and Naquin has had a fair amount of time on the IL
Why is it that RBI and Wins are “team stats”, but WAR (WAR = (Batting Runs + Base Running Runs +Fielding Runs + Positional Adjustment + League Adjustment +Replacement Runs) / (Runs Per Win) which includes wins and numerous other components that would be impacted by opportunity (just like rbi) gets quoted as being an accurate measure for an individual player??
Braves 2021 cumulative team WAR 39.6 (no players above 5), Dodgers 56.4 (two players over 5). What is WAR good for? Let’s ask The Boss ….huh, War, what is it good for, absolutely nothin’ say it again…..
Why not? He’s way better then janikowski.
I believe it does if you realize that baseball is a game of depth and depth is so important as after Tuesday you can’t add players should someone get hurt.
It could also be a chess move make a few small moves and make the Braves think they are making any major moves. I am sure if all the sudden the Mets with a few days to go are a huge trade Atlanta and other playoff bound type teams might feel the need to make big moves. That’s why most trades happen the day of the deadline
“………and make the Braves think they are making any major moves.” Yikes, you’re either kidding or drunk, right??? The Braves FO isn’t staffed by a gang of idiots.
Woah. Can’t believe you had something negative to say about the Mets.
Castillo and Mahle will be next during the fire-sale.
Just keep wishing upon a star …
The Reds do have a lot of guys who will be FA at the end of the year, so I think they’ll all be traded, Drury, Solano, Pham, Reynolds, and of corse the aforementioned Naquin. I’m not convinced both Castillo and Mahle will be traded. I feel like the Reds will be so focused, and cautious on the Castillo deal, that a Mahle deal will not be made.
The most likely place Pham might be dealt to is a local strip joint—-or jail. Why any team would add him to their clubhouse is a mystery.
About Pham, I was skeptical about acquiring him but the guy plays hard every day.
Drury and Solano next, then maybe Pham, and then perhaps Castillo and Mahle.
thank you from a braves fan this should put you over the top now and win the division….NOT!!!¡!
Yeah you should be quiet cause even without a trade we still are better then you and we will win the division.
maybe so but flags fly forever when was the last time the Mets won the world series oh yeah you wasn’t even born yet win division you’ll still losing the playoffs. I bet we take 3/5 from you next week. WORLD CHAMPIONS
We are talking about this year not last. We have a great manager now and an owner who has opened his wallet. Plus scherzer marte escobar canha has brought credibility and Diaz is back to his sea self. Let’s not forget walker is better and Carrasco is passable
World champions, but not for long. You got your fluke title. Be happy and shut it.
same as your fake title in 2020
As a fellow braves fan don’t listen to that guy. It was a smart move on the Mets part. We all aren’t like him. We win one championship in 25 years and all of a sudden fools like him feel cocky. I despise the Mets but dammit I respect them this year. He should know how important outfield depth is first hand because of how things went last year at the deadline for our favourite team.
Yeah, you mean to tell me a team gets better when they go out and sign/trade for a whole new roster? Amazing work.
@BravesFan59: The Braves are arguably the oldest franchise in American professional sports and only have five championships. Only three in the last 107 years. Maybe chill out on the trash talking.
The only place the Braves will ever be a so-called “world champion” will be in “Murica, F@(K Yeah!”
Atlanta has world championships on 1995 and 2021 the Mets have championship last time in 1986 so I would be caution about things.
Also with 12 games left head to head and a few lucky bounces here or through who knows what the division may look like in mid August.
And you wasted all the other division championships, to the point that you had empty seats every playoff game because you knew your ownerships cares more about ratings than being World Champions.
Have the Atlanta Braves or New York Mets ever entered the World Baseball Classic?
said from a Mets fan this time last year
Imagine Naquin becomes a Braves killer?
is 59 your IQ?
is 2 your iq
Interesting retort since getrealgone2 wouldn’t be able to type with an IQ of 2, though you would be able to dress yourself and insult people with an IQ of 59.
Also, how would you know whether Bk11235 2 was alive in 1986? I was born the day the Mets lost the World Series to Reggie Jackson’s Oakland A’s. They made it back and won it 13 years later. I was ecstatic. It’s been rough since but the passion of the team’s base has never died. This division race is going to be a fight to the finish. I don’t see either team folding. One will win the division; the other will be a wildcard. Once the playoffs start anything can happen.
Well that pretty much makes you the winner of this argument
Hey, Bill. The level of banter tonight leaves a bit to be desired, eh? I feel like if these guys randomly mashed their palms onto the keyboard they’d have a decent chance of coming up with something less infantile.
I hate the Braves it’s nice seeing you guys go from 1/2 game out of 1st to 3 games out
Wasn’t saying…”NOT!!” over about 10 years ago?
I was thinking 25 years ago. Wayne’s World came out in the late 80s/early 90s.
Borat has entered the chat
I’m glad there was more to it.
This time next week someone might be watching the Cincinnati Lookouts play at Great American Ballpark.
They should still have several big league players remain. Votto is there until he retires. They will keep Senzel and India and Stephenson (assuming he doesn’t get hurt reading this sentence). Plus, their trio of rookie starters will be there. The Reds are rebuilding, but they are actually pretty far along in a rebuild just because they started rebuilding so quickly again.
I would actually buy a ticket to see those players as opposed to what’s on the field at GABP now.
coming from a braves fan thank you THIS SHOULD PUT YOU OVER THE TOP AND WIN THE DIVISION….,NOT KEEP ON DUMPSTER DIVING
The caps help. I understand your point now.
The horrendous grammar really makes it simple for me to comprehend.
Worry about your own team. Hopefully we will bury you next weekend
Didn’t the Braves recently dumpster dive on Duvall and Pederson, among others? How did that end up?
IT ENDED UP WITH US WINNING THE WORLD SERIES WHERE WAS YOU UNDER A ROCK
Ya boy bustin CAPS LOCK. You know he’s serious.
IT ENDED UP WITH US WINNING THE WORLD SERIES WHERE WAS YOU UNDER A ROCK WORLD CHAMPIONS
Are you a cartoon from the 1940’s?
Bravesfan59. Just stop dude. You are embarrassing our fan base. It’s called depth and depth is vital.
Books, I don’t remember anyone calling you a racist last week when you posted those vicious comments about Dwight Smith on the day of his passing. Should you be labeled a “racist” for all you had to say about him and the fans that were honoring him in that comment thread? You’re definitely one angry little troll. Your obsession w/the Braves borders on lunacy.
Say that “world champions” s#!t across the pond and the response you’ll get is “go back to your cave, you ugly American!”
They have Robinson Cano playing second base…LOLBraves
AND YOUR TEAM PAYING HIS 25 MILLION SALARY LOL METS
AND YOUR TEAM PAYING HIS 25 MILLION SALARY LOL METS he is only cost just less than 100,000 so far
AND YOUR TEAM PAYING HIS 25 MILLION SALARY LOL METS he is only cost just less than 100,000 so far and he will be released by next week
Watching you use the internet is like watching a panda try to ride a bike.
Yup. And him and his .140 BA has been starting 2nd baseman. You’re not making the point you think you are.
You say it like it’s a bad thing:
bing.com/videos/search?q=panda+riding+bike&do…
I’d pay a guys salary to suck for a division rival
Like watching monkeys hump a football, or however that saying goes.
Hey King, you wanna maybe re-phrase that?
Mets are paying 20.25 mill of his salary, but that is neither here nor there. You talk dumpster diving and you went and desperately picked through our garbage. Cano’s hitting like a buck fifty for you and hasn’t had a hit in like 10 days, still hasn’t driven any runs in, no hrs….but there is his total lack of range even when playing the shift, that ball he booted the other day, and generally zero contributions…yeah you’re getting your money’s worth…
So salty. Do you need more?
Not bad. Hopefully it was for low prospects
Definitely will be for very low prospects. Diehl is a stiff and naquin I’d not benitendi.
Two very young IFA signings with some upside, outside your top 25 prospects but have time to move up.
I mean better than Jankowski..
Jankowski’s speed is essential for an October roster – especially with the stupid extra inning rule…
Mets will not need Jankowski for October, they have Terrance Gore in AAA. He can easily be added in September and be used to swipe that crucial bag or score that important run in the playoffs.
just so you know August 31st is the deadline to play in the postseason
No free extra inning runner in October unless you mean like October 1st.
This is the kind of deal I wanted 2-4 weeks ago. Something to whet the appetite for deadline week.
Naquin really turned his career around in Cincy. I think he arrived there as a minor league FA after several down years following his excellent rookie year in Cleveland. Good to see. He could have easily fallen off the face of the earth like Zimmer or Bradley or Chisenhall or Kipnis or Greg Allen. Man, Cleveland has had a lot of guys just flat out disappear.
the stove is hot !
I liked Naquin as a candiate for Philly. Good get.
Better than Jankowski
Replacement for Jankowski – who has speed and defense but just doesn’t hit
Decent small move. Modest lefty bat that can play center pretty handy for a division leader. Came up in Cleveland around good teams.
Mets petition MLB to make a roster Exception for them to have 40 guys on their MLB roster so they can play all the guys they’re going to acquire.
Mm jealous much?
He’s got nothing else to do. Marlins are once again a horrible team (35-51 against teams not named the Nationals), so he’s got to find things to mock the Mets over. Get used to it, though, because the Marlins won’t be good next year (or the year after, or the year after that, etc), either.
That return looks pretty light especially compared to what antivaxxxbenintendi fetched
That Rodriguez kid has some work to do, hasn’t played in 70 years.
That just means his legs are fresh.
He’s been dead for nearly 20. Gonna need to work on that if he wants to make it to the show.
Mets getting two living players for one guy who has been dead for nearly 20 years just shows you how good of a GM Eppler is.
BEST COMMENT OF THE DAY
When compared to Brodie van Whatshisname, even the dead guy would look like a good GM.
especially since he is Dead
‘This guy here is dead’
‘Well cross him off then’
Nice. I hope a few on here recognize that line from Major league.
Pretty sure the Reds did not just acquire an outfielder born in 1920. Wrong Hector Rodriguez link.
Wow! Really? I guess there’s some crossover between MLBTR and NFLTR where a recent minor transaction for an LB Marcus Allen pulled up the Hall of Fame RB.
Oh no. This is disappointing.
Fangraphs has Rodriguez (the living one) as the Mets #30. Acuna wasn’t ranked on any of the lists I found. Anyone see anything different?
That Hector Rodriguez that’s linked played back in the 50s and died in 2003.
I know the reds are liking what they got back
Neither guy is in the Mets’ Top 30 prospects. Diehl could be a temporary bullpen fill-in for Smith before May’s ready to return
Mutts love trash.
Marlins just threw Meyer in the trash, right next to Sixto.
Speaking of sixto, I haven’t heard about him in a million years. What’s his injury this time?
Another non Met fan somehow obsessed with the Mets.
Leave him alone, he needs his rest. He was up all night figuring out that “Mutts”thing
A dime a dozen
Marlins have been trash for 20 years. Their fans need to stay occupied with something.
How did they get Acuna in return???? Let alone Rodriguez!!! Steal for Cincy
The Mets got them to take the corpse of a 100 year old baseball player. What a fleece job.
102…read the Baseball Reference correctly 😉
So Diehl is a lefty specialist they need but not much of an upgrade over Shreve, but another option in the mix for this year and controllable for future years
Naquin hits RHP well and can spot start and pinch hit
Mets gave up two international free agent signings that are not higher end prospects
Solid trade for the Mets. It doesn’t really address the lefty specialist need that much but Naquin off the bench gives them a decent to good bat vs RHP
I wonder if Eppler really grasps pitching? Joely Rodriguez and Diehl are questionable decisions I would say
One of them is batting 356, the other is 3-0. They gave up the farm for nothing.
Does Eppler know the rosters no longer expand to 40 come September?
If he’s planning on making any more moves, is he going to be releasing the players he’s aquiring now?
I don’t get it
Diehl will be assigned to AAA and Jankowski will get sent down to make room for Naquin on the bench.
Any other moves they make will be to replace a catcher that’s on the roster, relievers that are on the roster or a big DH which they’ll make room for (maybe flipping JD).
Okay say they add another “Big DH” then. So what do they do with Vogelbach, who they just added by trading away one of the RP they should have been using?
None of it makes sense
The fans were calling for Soto, the team countered by targeting Mancini. Now instead they have seemingly locked in the OF/DH roster spots with platoon players who probably shouldn’t take the field, Naquin and Vogelbach. I just don’t understand it
I just looked it up and confirmed that teams are allowed to make more than one trade.
What a stupid comment
So you think their big plan is to see if they can trade away Vogelbach and Naquin, the two players they just went out and acquired?
Diehl has a ton to prove at the big league level, he’s been outrighted off a 40 man roster each of the past 2 seasons. He couldn’t pitch in GABP.
@mrkinsm Looking at video of Diehl it does not strike me as all that good
Naquin will help but you’re losing Jankowskis defense and speed off the bench and Diehl will probably end up being a negative return
Diehl is on a minor league deal. He doesn’t take up a roster spot. Just adds some emergency/ organizational depth as a LHP.
No big diehl
The Braves dumpster dove their way to a WS title last year, so I don’t knock any moves until the season is over
Wrong Hector Rodriguez linked
Hello Mark Cahna senior
Replacing Mark Cahna with.. Mark Cahna
After a very quick search on who these two prospects are…..I gotta say..I kinda like the Reds return. We’ll see what they grow into here in a few years. They are both still teens.
Might wanna fix the Hector Rodriguez link, unless the Reds know some kind of necromancy. Which based on their front office’s track record, they probably aren’t capable of.
They gave up two studs. What is wrong with the Mets GM? Is he trying to destroy the Mets.
Two low A kids are hardly studs. How it works though. Even though a player is a rental there is no reason to trade them if you can’t have some upside with a prospect. There is definitely upside here. I would definitely rather be on the Reds end but this is the price you pay.
The headline should read: Reds Acquire Acuna
All winners no losers. Fair market trade. Acuna is a nice arm to work with. Reds did well.
Brewers Jays WS.
Losing Jankowski’s pinch running will be a blow. He likely won’t pass through waivers unclaimed. Your basically going to DFA him to the Phillies or Braves (probably) and then they have elite speed and defense off the bench
But the common fan will just say, “his offense sucks yer a clown Jankowski sucks” when in fact elite pinch running is one of the most valuable assets you can have
So valuable that he’s had to sign minor league deals each of the past 2 seasons, he’s a AAAA player.
No, he had tons of other offers. He was in high demand this offseason. The Mets had to offer him 1.25 million if he made the roster
This is a substantial player with very valuable skill sets, namely good BB%, elite speed, elite defense at all 3 OF positions
I highly doubt he goes unclaimed once the Mets DFA him
You’re suggesting he declined multiple other big league deals to sign a minor league deal with the Mets?
It’s nice and has it’s use but one of the most valuable assets is a stretch.
@yourdream Pinch running is huge in the playoffs, especially with playoff pitching the games are usually close games
A pinch runner that can steal a base can be the difference
An elite pinch runner is a major, major weapon. Jankowski pinch ran and was able to score from first on a double and also from 3rd once on a slow roller. Also stole a base and scored in late innings
That weapon is gone now
I hope they keep Jankowski so I can compare how many games he wins vs say Castillo Soto
I get that with the ghost runner rule a pinch runner suddenly has value but it’s extraordinarily rare for a pinch runner to seriously effect a game with a stolen base or going first to third. How often does one extra base really decide a game like that? I’d say it’s incredibly rare.
Gore can replace him to run, at least in September and the playoffs.
where are you getting your information that janikowski will be released sources please. I don’t think that was your GM thinking when he made the trade imo
@bravesfan It’s either Jankowski or JD Davis and they will likely keep Davis as DH vs LHP
Unless Davis is traded then Jankowksi is gone. This is something Rosenthal and other beat reporters have already stated also
Believe it or not dominick smith and j.d.davis can be traded or sent down they still have options.
In September, when the rosters have 2 more spots, you need backups who can play when the starters need a day or two. I’d rather have Naquin than Plummer or Khalil Lee…
I’m struggling with this trade. The Mets traded for an outfielder who hits well (not great) against righties and a lefty-specialist who’s failed in the majors for two seasons in exchange for two very young prospects. This comes after they traded a young, promising reliever for a DH who can hit righties very well (but still not great).
Is Naquin platooning with an existing starter because he sure isn’t platooning with Vogelbach. Also, why bring on Diehl at all?
I get not every move will be a blockbuster and depth is important. I’m just not seeing the goal of this trade.
This was just to upgrade the bench and replace Jankowski. His bat has really fallen off a cliff. Diehl is a throw-in to have some lefty depth in AAA.
Did Jankowski get released or optioned? Didn’t see his name in this story.
Not yet but that’s the obvious move. His avg is all the way down to .167. I like him and his speed and defense are great but he provides zero offense right now and offense is exactly what the Mets need. Naquin is perfect for a 4th OF bench spot.
Basically all Jankowski provides on offense is walks and he’s not doing that right now.
I was wondering the same thing. Rosenthal is saying he’ll start vs RHP and Canha vs LHP
I’m not sure I really believe that yet
the article says nothing about jankowski getting released or optioned whoever is on the roster after August 31st is not eligible for the postseason
900 ops is only very well and not great?
In Gulf Coast/Dominican leagues it doesn’t mean squat.
What this duo got in trade will be similar to what Mets get for jd davis and or dom smith when they finally trade them to clear roster spots !
maybe they go to the Cubs for Contreras and Robertson and who else would they add because I think the Mets are getting those two and if they do good for them
Those two would do nothing to subtract from the prospects cubs would get nothing ! They would be free add ons
Does Bloom know he can make trades now? What is it with him and waiting to the last minute to make a trade
Waiting for Soto to get resolved and then he can trade Xander and JD.
That seems a very low cost for the Mets to pay for those two players.
Good trade for NY
Tyler is a good ball player
Naquin is a bench RBI bat they need but you really don’t want to lose Jankowski
Hopefully they can option a pitcher and keep 5 outfielders. Jankowski is a very valuable pinch hitter leading off an inning and also as a pinch runner and defensive replacement
I never heard anyone call a .167 hitter a very valuable pinch hitter before.
@yourdreamgm High walk percentage…”leading off an inning” he’s very valuable as a pinch hitter
Plus, give me a break. The guy has had 63 PA here and there, many in situations that don’t really matter. He’s fundamentally a very good hitter with low chase rate and high BB%
I don’t see elite post season pitching walking a guy hitting that awful. I appreciate your passion for the guy. I am on board with the pinch running and defense. Have my doubts on the very valuable hitting part.
Well, you don’t really get how it all works. That’s common on this site. People not really knowing much about baseball
Yes, “elite postseason pitching” will walk Jankowski because he doesn’t really chase much. He’s got 8 walks in 64 PA. That’s around 80 walks over a full season. Very good. Not easy to find that in a backup at all
He hit .252 with a .364 OBP over more PA’s last year. That’s with a 92 sprint speed and elite OF range.
Clown, you’re basing your assessment of Jankowski on 64 PA this year. Don’t be foolish. These types of skills are not easy to find
He’s not an RBI bat but in no way do you want to DFA someone like this to the Braves or Phillies
You’re just another complete baboon on the site saying “.164 Jankowski bad” over 64 PA, many of which meant nothing at all, when he was a defensive replacement in an 8-2 game in the 8th. Find a clue at some point
If he didn’t have those high BB%, you’d be right. He wouldn’t have any value. But he does. He does have those high BB%’s
In addition, 92 sprint speed. Imagine if the Phillies signed him to a major league contract to play CF this year, instead of Hererra. But they didn’t, because they’re not that smart and don’t really get how it all works either
He was a 1st rd pick for a reason. The reason is, this guy checks off all the most valuable skills. Speed, chase rate, and BB%
But, omg, he’s hitting .164 over 64 PA. He’s utterly terrible. Site is a joke.
Why are the Mets paying him $1.25 million if he’s so terrible? Because the guy was in high demand over the offseason
Yea his ability to draw walks is his value, if he can do that then his fielding and speed sweeten the pot.
As a Reds fan, I am disappointed in this trade. Tyler Naquin has been fun to watch. He is a good defensive outfielder and can play all three outfield position. He also have some pop
In his bats. I have hoping for the Reds sake
Tyler would stay in the 513 area code. Take it easy buddy. You will be miss.
Met’s fans you should be happy how your GM handled this trade. It could open things up for a Castillo later. The Yankee tried to low ball the Reds and the Ress turned them down flat
Yeah he hit 252 last year and managed to steal all of 5 bases, and drove in a staggering 10 runs, A career 236 bat who averages nearly 100 Ks per 162 games, but “doesn’t chase much”, right. Jankowski is a know commodity, it’s not just this year. He can’t hit, period. He is only a defensive replacement and the odd pinch runner. Clowns and baboons seem to know more about baseball than you.
Having a headline of “Diehl to the Mets” gets you the embarrassment you deserve for using fansided ss a source
I don’t understand how people on this site keep saying call people up in September when August 31st is the deadline to play in the postseason. on September 1st you are allowed to expand the rosters to only two players but those players are not allowed to play in the postseason.
They obviously are not as intelligent as you.
you feel better now since all your comments are smart ass remarks
SORRY. MAYBE IF I USE ALL CAPS THEY WILL COME OFF AS LESS SMART ASS
Mets just got conteras from Chicago for Davis,and jankowski,and a PTBNL
seriously,imo,I think that’s what it will take to land conteras
Dude, you’re all over the place. Get back on your meds
The Mets will be making a number of moves (as will many teams).
Analyzing this one without context is just silly.
Wait till the evening of Aug 2 to get all red in the face with your veins sticking out.
I’m a cubs fan, but how is anyone expected to beat the dodgers lol they spent so much and that pitching staff is insane lol only team with a chance is Yankees
Dodgers won’t even make the world series.
anything can and does happen in the playoffs look at last year it’s a crap shoot. or better yet look at this year the dodgers got swept by the pirates at home so yes anything can happen in the postseason it’s a crap shoot. whoever is hot going into the postseason usually wins , ask my braves,and the nats.
True but I just don’t see it happening this year. They just have too many pieces. But I hope I’m wrong.
Scherzer, deGrom, Walker, Bassitt is not a bad rotation. Scherzer just proved ace pitching trumps bats. We shall see my man.
everyone knows pitching wins championships good luck to whoever u get. we will probably get a no-name veteran starter, and someone who can hit and play second base
Naquin goes yard in final reds at bat. Good luck. Sorry you had to go to the Mets.
Being a Red is sooo much better. When will the haters grow up?
People dislike the Mets because they are literally able
to print their own money. They use the money to lure players away from Teams. Of course it’s a free market so if the team can afford the player the Teams is likely aaa
Doesn’t seem like a bad return for Naquin and Diehl. Get two young interntaional signees who are performing well. You’re always taking a risk on guys like that, but it’s not as if the Reds are giving up anything huge here. Platoon rental outfielder and an up-and-down reliever.
The Mets got depth pieces. The Reds got a couple lottery tickets.
The Mets got a couple depth pieces, the Reds got a couple lottery tickets in return.
Eppler was desperate and turned to Rick Peterson and said he told him to pick up Diehl because he can fix him in 5 minutes.
Looks a lot like a precursor. Move Nimmo for prospects to flip? There is definitely something brewing in the big Apple tonight
What? That’s a pretty convoluted and odd plan to predict. Nimmo is a very valuable player to them and I really doubt they’re gonna acquire prospects where the only present value is IF they can then package them in a trade. Too complicated and weird and Nimmo is too valuable to trade for such a convoluted plan.
Do not disagree but this move is odd at best without something else going. Just an odd hunch.
Naquin is only a platoon/4th outfielder. Better option than JD Davis, Dom Smith, or Travis Jankowski. I guess Jeff McNeil could be your 4th outfielder with Luis Guillorme doing solid, but he’s really only limited to LF in the grass.
*Most* people on this site have no idea what they’re talking about. And it’s always the ones who are making the most violent arguments about everything, saying this or that guy “sucks” and generally not knowing anything outside Mike Trout
To these people, who don’t even watch games really, it’s “Benintendi good Naquin bad” primitive mentality
“Jankowski hit .164 Jankowksi awful”
Remember, it’s always those who make the loudest and most violent arguments that have the least idea what’s going on
Jankowski is a bum
I never understand why people demand every trade a team makes be a blockbuster, roster shattering move. Depth is vital for teams intending to make a deep run. Naquin is a a great depth piece for this team who’s short on OF depth at the major league level. We had Plummer playing earlier this year when Jankowski went down for a bit, and he’s been less impactful since returning.
Also remember one of the biggest trades the Mets made during their last world series run. I doubt anyone would have said the trade for Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe shook the league. But those two played a HUGE role in getting the Mets to the show in 2015.
Excellent point. I think some short minded people are thinking the Mets, being rumored on almost every big name out there, have only made moves for small names. But those big names are usually not moved until the exact date of the deadline
And yet the weird thing is that at the time of THAT trade many around here were acting as if Plummer was some big piece for the future, like they had just acquired all of this untapped potential. I got jumped on here by a bunch of folks for suggesting he just wasn’t good and was just a temporary depth piece who’d need to be quickly replaced. He hit a homer in his first game or something and those folks were doing a victory dance as if that proved their point.
Mets aren’t done. Naquin easily upgrades from Jankowski. They also are probably moving Smith or JD Davis somewhere in a larger trade. They will need bodies to fill out the roster. Everyone should wait until Tuesday to see what it looks like.
I think this makes Jankowski that odd man out. Jankowski is a pinch runner. Naquin has speed, but is a true backup outfielder.
Jankowski is way, way better than Naquin
Mets fans are going to flip when he K’s all the time. 3rd percentile chase rates. He’s an easy out that you just throw anything out of the zone and he chases and K’s. 36th percentile K%. Terrible defender according to statcast. 9th percentile in outfielder jump and 6th in OAA
Meanwhile Jankowksi has godlike 92 sprint speed, top tier BB% and chase rates, and elite defense, including at CF
Naquin has had some power, but won’t play as much at citifield. So basically you’re getting a miserable hitter that chases and K’s a lot, with below average OBP (.300) with little or no power at citi. And he isn’t a very good defender according to statcast
It will be an utter travesty if Jankowski is DFA’ed for Naquin
On top of that Diehl is probably going to bomb. The first time he faces Olson it’s probably going to be the usual HBP on a slider that got in on him. Or four straight sliders way out of the zone away and he walks
Unless they keep Jankowski and option a pitcher this trade is ultimately going to make the Mets worse
“Jankowski is way, way better than Naquin” I don’t see this as true. Not even close. Jankowski had a nice stretch at the beginning of the year, but has returned to form, which unfortunately means he cannot get on base at all.
You’re just another inexperienced fan who just looks at his meaningless .164 average over 64 PA and concluding very foolishly that he’s “terrible, not any good”
If you’re basing your entire absurd assessment on AVG over only 64 PA you’re a complete and utter clown for the most part
How many times is Naquin going to pitch hit in an RBI situation and actually come through? Probably once or twice maybe, especially with those chase rates and K%.
So for those 1 or 2 times he actually gets a hit and drives in a run you’re going to give up on a day to day basis the pinch running and defense Jankowski can bring
If it’s 2-1 in the 9th I’d rather send Jankowksi to pinch hit and try to draw a walk (which he does very well) and steal a base than have Naquin up there
Try to discern which hitters are fundamentally better and higher quality hitters
Naquin had one of the worst chase rates in the league last year. 3rd percentile.
You’re replacing a very good hitter (Jankowski) with advanced knowledge of the strike zone with upper level BB% for the exact opposite, plus losing elite speed and defense
I watched Jankowski on the Phillies last year. And I followed him throughout college because we went to the same school. Love him as a player, but he’s not a good bat. In no way can Jankowski be described as a “vey good hitter.” You’re letting one nice streak impact how you view his career. Elite speed. Solid defense. Sub par bat. He has a career OBP of .320. Naquin is actually slightly higher at .323. Jankowski’s career OBS is .631 compared to Naquin’s .776. It’s a minor improvement, but you cannot describe Jankowski as a better offensive player than Naquin because the stats say otherwise.
@Camden
Chill out dude. Von is one of the most level headed and objective posters on here. Are you related to Jankowski or something? I get his value on defense and pinch running, but his career OBP is actually lower than Naquin.
Naquin’s career OPS is .776 to Jankowski’s miserable.630. Also, although Jankowski is fast, it’s not like he steals bases at will. He has 8 steals over the last two years, the same as Naquin.
There have been numerous times this year where he came in as a pinch runner and didn’t steal in situations that called for it. How many times did Jankowski pinch hit, draw a walk and steal second this year? Zero and only once in his career.
Also lost in all this is the possibility that the Mets keep both players on the roster. It seems a little redundant, but it’s possible.
@mookie1
Your spot on mookie, Von is one of the good guys on here. No need to be rude.
I watched Jankowski on the Phillies last year also and outside Harper he was the best player they had
He put up a .364 OBP and over 75 runs if you project his stats over a full season
The complete lack of good player evaluation by both fans and GMs is mind boggling
@mookie, No, inexperienced fans who don’t have any idea what’s going on should chill out. He’s hitting .164 over 64 PAs and multiple buffoons come to the absurd conclusion that he’s terrible
He’s one of the best backup outfielders in the game. If you can’t grasp why then maybe you should try and comprehend more about how the game works
You do realize that high BB%, elite 92 sprint speed, 99th percentile OF range, and acceptable contact hitting is extremely valuable and extremely difficult to find anywhere?
He was a 1st round, #44 overall pick. This was/is a top talent with a very rare set of skills
@Camden (likely a Jankowski relative)
Nice how you selectively point to last year’s stats, but tell others this years mean nothing. Do you have any comment regarding your pinch hit-walk-steal fantasy?
You keep bringing up BA and telling us to overlook it, and literally no one is bringing up batting average. Naquin has better career offensive stats in every single category. Both players are nice backup outfielders, but neither is All Star caliber. This debate seems silly. I think Naquin’s bat plays better than Jankowski’s, but I’m not going crazy over either player. Jankowski was not the 2nd best offensive player on the Phillies last year no matter how you look at it. Also in gis debut he got picked off pinch running in extra innings. Not going to kill the guy for 1 vital mistake, and he’s a solid deoth piece, but so is Naquin.
Von’s one of the most knowledgeable, affable, and reasonable posters on this site. I’m a long time Braves fan and I have a lot of respect for Von’s takes. He’s not “inexperienced,” and he’s “not just another fan.” He’s also always respectful in his interaction w/others on here. You could learn a lot from him.
Copy and paste troll with zero grasp. But whatever, your baseball iq is off the charts and everybody else is wrong. Btw, Naquin had more rbi last season than Jankowski has in his entire career. lmao
I agree with your statement:
“Most people on this site have no idea what they’re talking about”
ONLY IF you replace “most people on this site” with YOU.
As a Reds fan, or simply a baseball fan, there is no way in hell that Jankowski is better than Naquin. Jankowski has a Career OBP of .320 (so what?) and a career OPS+ of 75. Yeah, just 75. He’s a speed and defense guy ONLY.
But you don’t have to take my word for it, just look at their salary history. Generally speaking, you get paid more if you’re a better player.
But I’m sure your son is a very nice man Mrs. Jankowski.
Both Mets prospects were slated to be in the midseason Top 30 prospects per the Mesmerized guy who does the rankings. I have both in the Reds top 30 right now, 2 teenagers that have already reached A ball is pretty impressive. Win for the Reds for sure. Naquin is a solid bat but he was also being paid $4M, not exactly cheap.
Solano and Drury should nab even better hauls IMO. Maybe even Pham but his salary is $6M.
It’s utterly ridiculous that we’re about to lose a high quality hitter, fielder, and runner like Jankowski for Tyler Naquin. Utterly ridiculous
Can’t wait until October when every Mets fan absolutely hates Naquin because he K’s all the time
Dude, Jankowski is not a high quality hitter. Although he doesn’t chase pitches, he can’t get hits on balls in the strike zone, otherwise he wouldn’t be a .236 career hitter. The difference is strikeouts is negligible 25.5% to 22.6%, both close to league average.
@mookie Nope, because if you look at his stats the more regular PA’s he gets the average pops up to around .250s
Also, citing career average is absurd in this case with the erratic playing time he gets. He hit .252 with a .364 OBP last year with some regular playing time
Even not getting many PA’s this year he has 8 walks and a 12.5 BB%
Do people realize that a sample size of 64 PA and 87, 24, and 17 in other years does not really determine what his average is?
The argument “he can’t get hits in balls in the strike zone” is utterly laughable
His career stats do matter more than last year, because he is NOT going to be getting regular playing time. He will be used sporadically, so last year’s numbers when he played regularly are less relevant to his current usage. His hard hit rate is 24.5% for his career which is pathetic.
Like I said earlier, we will miss his defense and speed. However it’s very reasonable and logical for many to conclude Naquin is an upgrade. It’s at least debatable, and not a reason to start insulting other posters. Are you actually Jankowski?
@Camden453 couldn’t agree more…
How about picking up a pitcher with a 9+ ERA
Bad move. Eppler move same thing.
Usually you see some detail on the prospects on these posts…..nothing? Or maybe nothing of note.
All I can say is, if the Mets DFA Jankowski to the Phillies or Braves, both of whom need an outfielder, it’s going to be a major mistake
He’ll get regular playing time, get on base, and score runs. Simple as that
@Camden (alias for Jankowski)
When you get signed by the Braves can you hook me up with tickets? I want to see you pinch hit, walk and steal, like that ONE time you did in your career. You’ll probably do it just about every game so I’m flexible with dates.
You don’t even know how dfa’s and waivers work. First, IF the Mets DFA Jankowski, they have 7 days to either trade him or outright waive him; if another team claims him (it can be any team, not just your phillies or braves scenario), then that team has to put him on their roster because he is out of minor league options. If the braves or phils pick him up, he’s not gonna get regular playing time, he’ll be what he is right now, potential defensive replacement and pinch runner. Simple as that.
Yes, the 31 yo OFer and singles hitter who doesn’t hit singles, whose OBP has been under .290 for 3 of the last 4 seasons including 2022, and who has even been a hair below average on defense since 2016… is going to make the Mets regret this move!
The Curse of the Jankowski!!
Some shocking moves here by the Mets, dealing very young players with real upside—-a control artist who K’s 11 per 9 in his teens, and a CFer/2Bman in his teens who hits for real power—-for completely fungible, close to replacement level players??
It’s bizarre. This is not how you build winning teams in the short term OR the long term.
Eppler is not the GM you were looking for.
Diehl might be a real sleeper here. Very interesting strike out numbers and left handed.
Not the Reds I expected to see heading to the Mets.