See Also SAN FRANCISCO The Mets big focus before the July 31 trade deadline , and all the better if one piece added is left-handed. To that end, the team found a match on Friday, acquiring lefty reliever Gregory Soto from the Orioles for minor league pitchers Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster. The Mets officially announced the trade hours before the team opened a weekend series against the Giants . Soto, 30, owns a 3.96 ERA in 45 appearances this season with 44 strikeouts in 36 / innings. Among his favorable metrics are a 4.3 barrel percentage (which ranks in MLBs 94th percentile, according to Statcast) and 31.1 whiff percentage that ranks in the 87th percentile. Soto, twice an All-Star with the Tigers, has retired all 23 left-handed batters hes faced since June 4, with 14 strikeouts. Explore More Its a big arm, president of baseball operations David Stearns said. Hes pitched in leverage spots. We were looking to help complement our bullpen from the left side. Its not always easy to do that this time of year, so as we began to overlap with some names with Baltimore we figured this was the time to push this one through. The Mets received a boost in lefty relief immediately following the All-Star break with following Tommy John surgery rehab. A.J. Minter and Danny Young began the season as the Mets two lefty bullpen options, but both were lost to surgery and wont return this year. Before Raleys return, the team had used a rotating cast in lefty relief that included Gnesis Cabrera, Jos Castillo and Richard Lovelady. Gregory Soto is the newest Met. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Aracena, 20, pitched to a 2.38 ERA in 17 appearances this season for Single-A St. Lucie. Jarius Howard Jersey He was the Mets No. 20 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Foster, 26, has pitched for Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse, with a 2.97 ERA in 21 appearances. He was selected by the Mets in the 14th round of the 2022 draft. Ideally, the Mets would like to add another reliever before Thursdays deadline. Were still talking, Stearns said. I think theres still the ability to upgrade our bullpen. Were not going to close the door to it. Team officials are also on the lookout for a potential rotation addition, but asking prices remain steep for the handful of pitchers available that would be considered an upgrade for the Mets. And Stearns indicated an addition would be with the idea of raising the rotations ceiling rather than just adding depth. Gregory Soto has limited lefties this season. AP The po sible names available include former Cy Young award winner Sandy Alcantara, who has struggled in his comeback season from Tommy John surgery. The Mets have checked in with the Marlins on the right-hander, according to a source, but the asking price in terms of prospects is high. You dont know whats going to be available and ultimately what is going to be traded acquiring starting pitching at this time of year is pretty difficult, Stearns said. I dont know how many raise the ceiling type players are going to be available in that segment, but if those guys are available well be involved. The Mets are keeping tabs on potential available outfielders with an eye toward upgrading center field. But team officials also have no sense of urgency on that front given Jeff McNeils play at the position in a job share with defensive whiz Tyrone Taylor. If the Mets were to trade from their major league roster, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Luisangel Acua and Mark Vientos are available. That said, the team isnt in any hurry to part with any member of that quartet. Baty, in particular, has emerged lately at third base. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! The Mets have received inquiries about Starling Marte, according to a source. The veteran outfielder in the final months of his four-year contract worth $78 million has provided a productive right-handed bat for the club, but overlaps with Vientos for DH at-bats. Even so, Martes clubhouse presence and experience are valued by the team. Justice Sueing Jersey
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