On Friday, the New York Mets agreed to a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates that sent 1B/DH Dan Vogelbach to Queens. It had been reported earlier in the week that the Mets had preliminary interest in acquiring Vogelbach, and a deal came to fruition Friday afternoon.
The designated hitter spot has been an area of concern for the Mets this season. Dominic Smith, JD Davis and Robinson Cano have all spent time rotating in and out of the DH slot this season but none of the three have been able to provide consistent offensive production. Vogelbach has slashed .228/.338/.430 with 12 home runs and 34 runs batted in. He will look to bring some stability to the position for the Mets.
After putting together stellar offensive seasons in 2019 and 2020, Smith's offensive numbers have been on a major decline, slashing just .194/.276/.284 this season with no home runs and 17 runs batted in. He is currently on the injured list with his return unknown.
Davis, who had a stellar .384 on base percentage last season, has also struggled at the plate with just a .234/.325/.345 slash line with three home runs and 19 runs batted in.
Cano was released by the Mets on May 8 after being designated for assignment the week prior. He was slashing an abysmal .195/.233/.268 with one home run and three runs batted in. He is now on the Atlanta Braves after being traded to the club from the San Diego Padres, who signed Cano following his release from the Mets.
This season, Vogelbach has an OPS of .896 when facing right handed pitching. The Mets as a team, have just a .692 OPS against right handed pitching.
Vogelbach will immediately become the Mets everyday designated hitter against right handed pitchers, and figures to slot somewhere in the bottom half of the middle of the lineup, providing much needed length and thump from the left side of the plate.
Vogelbach and Davis could platoon at DH, with Vogelbach getting the start against right handers, while Davis gets the start against left handers. Smith and James McCann could also slide into the DH spot on occasion following their return from the injured list.
Mets Potential Lineup against RHPs
- Brandon Nimmo (L), CF
- Starling Marte, RF
- Francisco Lindor (S), SS
- Pete Alonso, 1B
- Jeff McNeil (L), 2B
- Mark Canha, LF
- Dan Vogelbach (L), DH
- Eduardo Escobar (S), 3B
- Tomas Nido, C
The return for Vogelbach was 26 year-old rookie Colin Holderman, who has thrown the ball well this year, registering a 2.04 ERA over 15 outings for the Mets.
Despite his success, the Mets feel like they have a group of right handed relief pitchers whom they can trust, and could look to improve the bullpen even more as the trade deadline approaches.
The team could still aggressively pursue more offensive upgrades as we get closer to the Aug. 2 trade deadline, but it is a step in the right direction for the the Mets, who look to win their first NL East crown since 2015.
- Rutgers beats Boston College in season opener - September 4, 2022
- Rutgers football keys to victory for season opener against Boston College - September 2, 2022
- Mets make additions at Trade Deadline for postseason push - August 3, 2022
