Atlanta Braves Close to Trade w/Mets for Uribe, KJohnson
Jul 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman
Juan Uribe(2) celebrates a home run with left fielder
Jonny Gomes(7) against the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Several tweets have suddenly exploded onto twitter late this afternoon: all consistent with the same report:
Mets and Braves close on deal that would send Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson to Mets #MLBTradeDeadline
— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) July 24, 2015
#Mets have intensified talks with #Braves about Juan Uribe. Story coming soon.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 24, 2015
Mets r close to deal for uribe and kelly johnson from braves
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 24, 2015
This is a bit surprising, but only from the perspective that earlier today, the Mets (finally) sent outfielder Michael Cuddyer to the disabled list and promoted top prospect Michael Conforto from AA… straight to the majors.
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Juan Uribe is clearly involved to relieve the Mets’ incessant problems at third base; Kelly Johnson is involved… to play anywhere on the diamond, I suppose, while also giving them a sorely needed extra bat. This could especially come in handy for them while Conforto is figuring out major league pitching.
The Mets had been linked to Gerardo Parra in recent days, though talks with Milwaukee apparently broke down last night, resulting in the promotion of Conforto. Excepting Uribe, all of these players – Johnson, Conforto, and Parra – are left-handed hitters, so that was apparently a goal of their efforts.
So What Do We Get Back?
#Braves will obtain RHPs Rob Whalen and John Gant from #Mets for J. Uribe and K. Johnson, source confirms @joelsherman1 report. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 24, 2015
Scouting reports: Gant 90-95 heat, plus changeup, solid breaking ball. Whalen 92-93 mph, working on break ball. Strike thrower #Mets #Braves
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 24, 2015
Braves left fielder
Kelly Johnson(24). Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
John Gant (RHP, 6′-4″, 175) is nearly 23 and was promoted to AA this season. He is a starting pitcher and was striking out a ton of hitters in A+ ball until his promotion, doing a 1.79 ERA in the process. Since going to AA, he’s walking more batters (3.94 per 9 innings) and K’ing a lot fewer (6.52 per 9). He’s clearly missing fewer bats (.232 up to .337 BABIP), but we’ll give him some time.
The Mets acquired him in the 21st round of the 2011 draft.
Robert Whalen (RHP, 6-2/200) is 21-1/2 years old and came to the Mets as a 12th round pick in 2012. He is a starter in A+ ball, and has pitched to very good ERA’s during his time in the minors (currently 3.36 in 83 innings, 14 starts; was much better at lower levels).
John Sickles placed Whalen 14th on his Mets’ prospect list at the beginning of the season, calling him “very interesting”. Gant did not get a mention on that chart.
That’s the quick-and-dirty of it… with this much detail, it appears that this deal is essentially done. New York needed some offense, and these guys should help them out. If the Metropolitans end up closing the gap on the Nats, then frankly, I’m all for it – even if it helps a division rival.
It will be interesting to see now who gets promoted to join Atlanta in place of Uribe and Johnson. Stay tuned.