Mets land Gregory Soto from Orioles to upgrade bullpen in tight NL East race

Watch Mets land Gregory Soto from Orioles to upgrade bullpen in tight NL East race - New York Post on Dailymotion

Transcript

00:00The New York Mets, they are buyers.

00:02They just added some serious heat to their bullpen on Friday.

00:05As first reported by our John Heyman, the Mets traded for hard-throwing lefty Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles,

00:11adding a veteran arm to a pen that's been working overtime.

00:15So let's break it down.

00:16Soto made the All-Star team twice in Detroit.

00:19He was dealt to Philly last year and then moved to Baltimore in the offseason.

00:23He's got a live fastball, a nasty slider, and he brings exactly what this Mets team needs.

00:29That's late-inning experience from the left side.

00:32This season, in Baltimore, Soto went 0-2 with a 3.96 ERA, spanning 36 in the third innings.

00:38Lefties hit just 138 against him with a 547 OPS.

00:43And this isn't just a move for depth.

00:44It's a move for leverage.

00:46With Edwin Diaz's status still uncertain, as he can opt out out of his contract after this season,

00:51the Mets needed a lefty who could step into big spots.

00:54Soto, he's close games, he's pitched in high-leverage situations,

00:58and he's battle-tested in both leagues.

01:00As for the cost, the Mets, they are sending two minor-league pitchers,

01:04Wellington, Aracenia, and Cameron Foster, to Baltimore.

01:07So no top prospect capital lost here, which means David Stearns gets an impact arm without gutting the farm system.

01:14This trade comes as the Mets continue to battle with the Phillies for the top spot in the NL East,

01:19showing they're ready to make a real push toward October.

01:22Soto joins a bullpen that's been running on empty lately,

01:25and he gives them a fresh option with swagger, velocity, and proven stuff.

01:29The Mets, they wanted to upgrade their relief core,

01:31and Gregory Soto might just be the shot of adrenaline.

01:34They need it.

01:35Stay locked in, because the trade deadline, it's heating up.

01:38The Mets, they just fired a fastball right into the race for the NL East crown.

01:42The Mets, they just fired a fastball right into the race for the NL East.