The New York Mets are sacrificing a future pitcher for two arms that can help them in 2023.
In an attempt to shore up their organizational pitching depth, the Mets completed a trade with the Miami Marlins.
“Mets are acquiring RHP Elieser Hernandez and reliever Jeff Brigham from the Marlins for minor league pitcher Franklin Sanchez,” Mike Puma of the New York Post tweeted.
Mets are acquiring RHP Elieser Hernandez and reliever Jeff Brigham from the Marlins for minor league pitcher Franklin Sanchez.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) November 18, 2022
Just a couple of years ago, Hernandez was seen as one of the most important pieces in the Marlins’ pitching core.
In 2020, he had a 3.16 ERA, and compiled a 4.18 mark in 2021.
However, injuries and a lack of a consistent third pitch really made him fall out of favor in the organization.
When he was expected to become more expensive in his second season of salary arbitration, the Marlins are dealing him for Sanchez.
The Marlins Are Banking On Sanchez’s Bright Future
The 22-year-old Sanchez spent most of the year in A-ball with the Mets, and has a live arm.
In 30 innings in Class-A, he struck out 37 hitters.
He has some control issues, which is not uncommon for a pitcher of his age.
The Marlins, however, are excellent at developing pitching and will work their magic with Sanchez.
Brigham is a 30-year-old reliever who struck out 28 hitters in 24 innings in the majors last season with the Marlins.
He had a solid 3.38 ERA, and gives the Mets another weapon to work in middle relief as they build their bullpen again.
All things considered, the Mets did well to add two major-league ready pieces in the trade, while the Marlins get a legitimate prospect for a couple of guys that didn’t figure in their long-term plans.
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