New York Mets: Next 2 Weeks Will Make or Break the 2017 Season 2
Jun 2, 2017; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda (21) celebrates his home run in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

In what could be the first of many moves before Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline, the New York Mets traded 1B Lucas Duda to the Tampa Bay Rays for RHP Drew Smith.

With first base prospect Dominic Smith tearing things up for Triple-A Las Vegas, Lucas Duda was playing on borrowed time in Flushing. As for whether this trade will result in Smith getting the call, well, that’s anyone’s guess.

Speaking of Smiths, the Mets get a good one in 23-year-old Drew Smith, a hard-throwing reliever. A third-round pick by Detroit in 2015, he’s moved quickly through the minors, pitching at three different levels this year alone (High-A to Triple-A).

Over 31 combined appearances, he’s gone 1-2 with a 1.60 ERA and 0.91 WHIP, walking nine while striking out 40. He relies on a mid-90s fastball that touches 98 mph and has a solid curveball, though his offspeed offerings still need refinement.

Per MLB Pipeline’s scouting report, Smith profiles more as a setup man than a closer. He is expected to join Double-A Binghamton.

As for Duda, he figures to take over as Tampa Bay’s primary designated hitter. Doing so would allow the Rays to move Corey Dickerson to left field, a position vacated by Colby Rasmus earlier this season.

Classy until the end, Duda wished nothing but great things for the man who will eventually take his place, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.

This might not be the sexy return that Mets fans were hoping for, but it’s fair value for a soon-to-be free agent like Duda. Both Smiths (Drew and Dom) have a chance to be impact players for years at Citi Field.

Keep it here with ESNY for the latest analysis and chatter surrounding the Amazin’s as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline draws closer.

 

 

 

 

 

I've been dunked on by Shaq and yelled at by Mickey Mantle. ESNY Editor In Chief. UMass alum. Former National Columnist w/Bleacher Report & former member of NY Knicks Basketball Ops department. Nephew of Rock & Roll Royalty.