New York Mets find their lefty reliever in crosstown trade

The New York Mets had a clear void in their bullpen heading into the 2022 season. Any lefty relievers that they had on the roster were all signed to minor league contracts and would need to be added to the 40 man roster. Any other lefties may be needed in the rotation. At this point, Chasen Shreve appeared to be the only lefty guaranteed a spot in the bullpen to start the year.

That has changed. The Mets made a rare crosstown trade with the Yankees, sending reliever Miguel Castro to the Bronx for lefty Joely Rodriguez.

New York Mets get their lefty reliever

Castro also fills a void for the Yankees, giving them another solid arm in the middle of their bullpen. He posted a career best 3.45 ERA and a 1.294 WHiP in his 70.1 innings last season, striking out 77 batters with 43 walks. Those command issues have plagued Castro throughout his career as he has issued 4.8 walks per nine innings.

Rodriguez would appear to be a downgrade regardless of his handedness. He posted a combined 4.66 ERA and a 1.532 WHiP in his 46.1 innings between the Yankees and Rangers, striking out 47 batters with 18 walks.

However, there are signs that he could be much better than those numbers. Not only did Rodriguez post a 3.43 FIP last season, but he had drastically improved with the Yankees. He allowed just eight runs, six earned, on 21 hits and six walks in his 19 innings in New York, striking out 17 batters. That production would fit nicely in the Mets’ bullpen.

There is an additional benefit for the Mets with this trade as well. Rodriguez is theoretically under team control through 2026, so he could be a long term part of their relief corps. If he continues to show the improvement he had after being traded to the Yankees, it is possible that he can be part of the answer in Queens.

The New York Mets and New York Yankees made a rare crosstown trade. In that swap of relievers, the Mets have gotten the lefty they needed.