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Mets Make Trade for Reds Outfielder Naquin & Minor League Reliever

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…

Tyler Naquin

CINCINNATI, OH – JULY 22: Tyler Naquin #12 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts after striking out during the bottom of the fourth inning at Great American Ball Park on July 22, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Bacho/Getty Images)

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.

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.

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.

Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.