Well, well, well how the turn tables, as Michael Scott would say.
The Mets were reunited with pitcher Jon Niese today, as they reacquired the southpaw from the Pirates in exchange for struggling reliever Antonio Bastardo, who will also be reacquainted with his 2015 team. The Mets are also including cash considerations in the deal.
Niese, 29, spent his first eight season in Queens with the Mets before being shipped off to Pittsburgh this past offseason. Well, it didn’t take long for him to play his second stint with the Mets.
Niese has a career record of 69-67, with a 4.00 ERA in 205 games (195 started). The veteran was having a miserable year as a Buc, and will look to turn that around with the Mets for the last two months of the season.
Sandy Alderson said Niese will work out of the bullpen and take on a long relief role.
The Pirates are getting back Antonio Bastardo, who spent 2015 in Pittsburgh, pitching to a 2.98 ERA in 66 appearances. The success didn’t translate to this season in Queens, as Bastardo was erratic as a Met and saw his ERA inflate to a shocking 4.74 ERA.
Hopefully, this swap will prove to be beneficial for both teams, and that these players can reclaim their respective seasons.
