New York Mets: Lucas Duda Traded to Tampa Bay for Rays Prospect Drew Smith
With the trade deadline approaching, Mets GM Sandy Alderson has finally made his first big move.
Already out of playoff contention, the New York Mets needed to shake things up before the trade deadline.
The shakeup process has begun with free-agent-to-be Lucas Duda being sold to the Tampa Bay Rays.
In return for the long-tenured Mets first baseman, New York received MLB.com‘s 30th ranked Rays prospect, right-handed pitcher Drew Smith.
In this deal, the Rays were the obvious buyers. Tampa Bay is right on the cusp of the AL pennant race.
However, they are currently on the outside looking in for the AL East and AL Wild Card crown. They’ve been busy making upgrades to close the gap in the standings.
The Mets are the sellers of the deal, as they are able to replenish some of their minor league pitching.
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The Rays will use Duda at first base or even put him in the DH spot in AL ballparks where they will play a majority of their remaining games.
As for the Mets, the righty Smith is a much-needed acquisition for the now less-questionable future of their bullpen.
Smith is 23 years old and currently pitching in Double-A.
Drew Smith is not expected in the big leagues this season, but he could potentially make it within the next two years.
Smith was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the third round back in 2015 and was traded to the Rays in April.
The trade comes at an opportune time for both teams.
The Rays now have a powerful bat in their lineup for a playoff push the rest of the season.
The Mets can now shuffle around their infield to see if something can click and look towards next year.
Most importantly, this opens the door for top prospect Dominic Smith to come to Flushing Meadows sooner rather than later and take over at first base.
Next: Report: Cleveland Indians Interested in Pair of New York Mets
The Mets will inevitably make more moves as the deadline rapidly approaches.
The Mets will return home from a long road trip without familiar face Lucas Duda.
The Orange and Blue could, however, return from the trip with some new faces in their farm system.