Photo Credit: Las Vegas Review-Journal
The New York Mets acquired cash considerations from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league outfielder Patrick Kivlehan on Thursday, the teams announced. The 28-year-old journeyman will report to Arizona’s major league club.
Kivlehan wrapped up a strong season with the Las Vegas 51s, after being signed by the organization in early May. The Nyack, NY, native had been outrighted off the Cincinnati Reds’ 40-man roster in November of 2017 and spent less than two weeks on the open market before the Mets scooped him up.
In 98 games in Las Vegas, Kivlehan hit .314/.372/.588 with 20 home runs, 13 of which came in the season’s final month, leading to a Pacific Coast League honor. His month of August was incredible, slashing .364/.430/.920 in 100 plate appearances.
Destined for minor league free agency, the Mets simply did him a favor by affording him a major league opportunity on a potentially playoff-bound club. While Kivlehan won’t be postseason eligible, by nature of being acquired after August 31, he can certainly help his team get there, and secure a low-risk roster spot for 2019 as a pre-arbitration player.
