Mets Complete Trade For Reds’ Outfielder

The New York Mets had been linked to a lot of names in the past few weeks, but Thursday night they managed to pull one out of left field (or rather, right field), by acquiring Cincinnati Reds left-handed hitting outfielder Tyler Naquin.

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

The Mets also receive southpaw Phillip Diehl from the Reds, The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported. Heading to Cincinnati are a pair of minor league pitchers in 19-year-old righty Jose Acuna and 24-year-old lefty Hector Rodriguez.

Likely to serve as a 4th outfielder, Naquin is the second lefty-swinging bat the Mets have acquired in recent days, following Daniel Vogelbach into town. Naquin carries an .805 OPS with five home runs against right-handed pitchers this season. Overall, the free agent-to-be owns a .245 average with a .734 OPS. 

Diehl has spent the majority of this season with the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, where he pitched to a 4.24 ERA in 25 games out of the bullpen.

 

Photo: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports