With the Mets trading Jeurys Familia to the Oakland Athletics for Bobby Wahl, William Toffey, and $1 million of international bonus pool money, the organization has officially begun selling off its pieces. What was interesting about the Familia trade was some reports actually had the Mets organization liking it to their trading Addison Reed to the Boston Red Sox for three right-handed relief prospects.
With the Mets using the Reed trade as a barometer for the Familia trade, this would be a good time to evaluate not just how the prospects received in exchange for Reed are doing, but also how all the prospects the Mets obtained in trades are faring:
Drew Smith
Level: Binghamton, Las Vegas, MLB
2018 MLB Stats: 0-0, 3.00 ERA, 3 G, 3.0 IP, 2 K, 2.000 WHIP, 6.0 BB/9, 6.0 K/9
2018 MiLB Stats: 5-1, 2.68 ERA, 25 G, GS, 3 SV, 37.0 IP, 36 K, 1.108 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9, 8.8 K/9
Acquired: Received from Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Lucas Duda (7/27/17)
Between his performances in Binghamton and Las Vegas, Smith eventually forced his way to the majors where he has unfortuantely been used sparingly making it difficult to get a read on how his stuff translates to the majors. Hopefully, he gets more of a chance during the second half of the season so he can show off his upper 90s fastball which batters have a very difficult time lifting in the air.
Gerson Bautista
Level: Binghamton, Las Vegas, MLB
2018 MLB Stats: 0-1, 12.46 ERA, 5 G, 4.1 IP, 3 K, 3.000 WHIP, 10.4 BB/9, 6.2 K/9
2018 MiLB Stats: 2-1, 5.08 ERA, SV, 33.2 IP, 46 K, 1.604 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9, 12.3 K/9
Acquired: One of three prospects received in exchange for Addison Reed (7/31/17)
With the Mets bullpen getting taxed early, Bautista was called-up to the majors after three dominating appearances for Binghamton to begin the year. In the majors, Bautista looked over-matched by Major League hitting. When he was sent down to Las Vegas, things did not improve. That said, after his most recent demotion to Triple-A, Bautista has pitched better with a 3.86 ERA in those 11 appearances while striking out 13.5 batters per nine and
Jamie Callahan
Level: Las Vegas
2018 Stats: 0-1, 9.42 ERA, 7 G, SV, 8.1 IP, 9 K, 2.160 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9, 9.7 K/9
Acquired: One of three prospects received in exchange for Addison Reed (7/31/17)
Callahan showed much promise after the trade last year. After having a 1.38 ERA in Las Vegas, he was called-up to the majors where he showed some promise, especially with his having a 5.0 K/BB ratio. Despite the strong 2017 stretch with the Mets, Callahan would not make the Major League team out of Spring Training, would struggle in seven appearances in Triple-A, and he would eventually have season ending shoulder surgery.
Level: St. Lucie & Binghamton
2018 Stats: 1-1, 5.49 ERA, 30 G, Sv, 41.0 IP, 46 K, 1.512 WHIP, 6.8 BB/9, 10.1 K/9
Acquired: One of three prospects received in exchange for Addison Reed (7/31/17)
One of the issues with Nogosek is with his mechanics and delivery, control has been an issue for him. While an issue previously, it’s the worst it’s been with him having a career high in walks per nine. Those issues really become more pronounced when he was promoted to Binghamton at the end of June. The bright side through all of these numbers is the side-winder is limiting right-handed batters to a .189/.326/.270 batting line.
Ryder Ryan
Level: St. Lucie & Binghamton
2018 Stats: 2-0, 2.01 ERA, 31 G, 5 SV, 40.1 IP, 44 K, 1.017 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, 9.8 K/9
Acquired: Received from Cleveland Indians in exchange for Jay Bruce (8/9/17)
When the Mets made the trade last year, Mets fans were in disbelief about how the team could move a 30 home run hitter for a 30th round draft pick. Looking at Ryan this season, he is making a believer out of many. His upper 90s fastball helps, but what really impresses at the moment is his cutting down on walks. He’s currently on his best stretch of the season with a 0.87 ERA, 0.968 WHIP, and a 10.5 K/9 in the Month of July. Ultimately with Ryan, he has the stuff, the ability to adjust, and the genes to make it to the majors.
Jacob Rhame
Level: Las Vegas & MLB
2018 MLB Stats: 0-1, 5.74 ERA, 16 G, SV, 15.2 IP, 12 K, 1.340 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, 6.9 K/9
2018 MiLB Stats: 1-2, 3.76 ERA, 20 G, 9 SV, 26.1 IP, 33 K, 1.025 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9, 11.3 K/9
Acquired: Sent as player to be named later from Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Curtis Granderson (8/20/17)
Rhame impressed enough in Spring Training that he would actually make the Opening Day roster. Since that time, we have seen uneven performances from Rhame with him earning his first career save in what was then a huge April game against the Nationals to him getting hit around by a bad Marlins team. With the uneven performances, he’s flown back and forth between New York and Las Vegas enough he should have enough frequent flyer miles to get free first class round trip tickets to Australia. Overall, Rhame has shown some promise and some moxie when given a chance. The Mets just need to see more of him to see exactly what that could be in 2019.
Eric Hanhold
Level: Binghamton & Las Vegas
2018 Stats: 3-2, 4.46 ERA, 24 G, 8 SV, 34.1 IP, 43 K, 1.311 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9, 11.3 K/9
Acquired:Sent as player to be named later from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Neil Walker (9/12/17)
At the time of the trade, Hanhold was a reliever with some promise. Of note, he had a mid 90s sinker which generated a ton of ground balls. After the trade, one of the things the Mets have been better able to harness Hanhold’s stuff in getting him to increase his then career high 8.4 K/9 last year to 11.3 this year.
Overall, the right-handed relievers the Mets acquired last year still show promise. While none of yet distinguished themselves at the Major League level, we have seen the arsenals from these pitchers which could translate into success. Ultimately, while Mets fans understandably do not want a repeat of last year’s trade deadline, it is important to note how well most of these pitchers have been performing.
