Mets Strike At Last Minute, Trade For Tigers Slugger Yoenis Cespedes
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — The Amazin's have a new cleanup hitter.
The Mets acquired slugging outfielder Yoenis Cespedes from Detroit Friday in their strongest attempt yet to boost a punchless lineup that threatened to derail their postseason hopes.
Cespedes hit .293 with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs in 102 games with the Tigers this season. The Mets trail first-place Washington by three games in the NL East, but New York ranks last in the major leagues in runs and batting average, and is 29th in on-base percentage and slugging.
"He is a dynamic player," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told reporters on Friday after the trade was announced. "He's the kind of player that can be a high-impact player for us."
Cespedes will play left field for the Mets. No cash was involved in the deal, Alderson said, and when Michael Cuddyer returns from the disabled list "that's a situation that we'll work out."
"We're happy that we've made all the deals," Alderson said. "You're never sure from start to finish what's going to happen."
The Mets sent minor league pitchers Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa to Detroit. The Tigers decided to build for the future this week after winning the last four AL Central titles. They traded star left-hander David Price and closer Joakim Soria on Thursday.
"We've now given up five pitchers out of our system," Alderson said. "We have not given up the core pitchers that many people recognize. At the same time, we've given up some real talent."
The Mets traded for veteran infielders Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson last week. On Monday, they acquired relief pitcher Tyler Clippard to set up for Jeurys Familia.
New York had a deal in place on Wednesday that would have sent shortstop Wilmer Flores and starting pitcher Zack Wheeler to the Brewers for center fielder Carlos Gomez, but it ultimately fell through.
Gomez was traded to the Astros the next day.
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