Mets fans have to keep waiting a little more before the Mets make that major splash as the trade deadline approaches. Instead the Amazin’s made their small trade in a week, acquiring outfielder Tyler Naquin and reliever Philip Diehl for minor leaguers Hector Rodriguez and Jose Acuna.
Naquin adds depth to a Mets bench that already has designated hitter Daniel Voglebach, whom the Mets acquired from the Pirates for reliever Colin Holderman last week.
Source confirms: Mets acquiring OF Tyler Naquin and LHP Phillip Diehl from Reds. Minor leaguers going to Reds currently being informed. First: @ByRobertMurray, @Joelsherman1
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 29, 2022
Naquin is hitting .246 on the season with seven home runs and 33 RBI in 56 games with the Reds this season. Last season Naquin had the best year of his career, slugging 19 homers and driving in 70 in 127 games for the Reds. Naquin started his career with the Cleveland Guardians, and was a member of the Guardians 2016 American League Championship team that lost to the Cubs in that year’s World Series.
Hello Tyler Naquin, Welcome to New York. #Mets #LGM pic.twitter.com/Um4B887pU1>
— Thomas Byrne (@ByrneMLB) July 29, 2022
The 31-year old Naquin, who is a free agent after the season, joins an outfield of Mark Canha, Starling Marte and Brandon Nimmo. His addition could free up Jeff McNeil to focus on infield work. The Mets have been using McNeil as a fourth outfielder when necessary this year.
The addition of Diehl is not going to excite Mets fans, who would like to see the team add a major backend of the bullpen arm to help Seth Lugo and Edwin Diaz. Diehl has an 11.12 ERA in five career games in the Majors. The Cincinnati native has a 4.24 ERA in 23.3 innings at Triple-A Louisville, and is likely heading to Syracuse.
To make the Reds whole, New York is sending the 18-year old Rodriguez, and 19-year old Acuna, the former of whom was in low-A ball down in Florida. Rodriguez was in rookie ball in the Mets organization.