The 2018 magical mystery tour of Joey Bats moves on. The New York Mets send their veteran slugger to the City of Brotherly Love.
The New York Mets completed a trade on Tuesday, sending Jose Bautista to the National League East rival Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia made a waiver claim on the outfielder/third baseman on Monday and the teams had 48 hours to make a deal.
In return, the Mets received … nothing.
That isn’t exactly true. The Mets got nothing immediately. They did, however, agree to either a player to be named later or cash in exchange for Bautista. Such is the business of baseball in 2018. It will be interesting to see how this trade shakes out in the offseason.
Bautista will be playing for his third team this season. Ironically, all in the same division. He started 2018 with the Atlanta Braves. It didn’t go well for the 37-year-old in “Hotlanta.” In 12 games, Bautista hit .143 with two home runs and five RBI.
He was released on May 20, and the New York Mets signed him a Major League minimum contract, two days later. Bautista fared much better in Queens. Though not the offensive weapon he once was, Bautista became a valuable role player for the Mets. In 80 games, he hit nine homers and added 37 RBI.
Early Decade Power Threat
Jose Bautista was a serious home run threat in his younger days. He led the American League in home runs in back-to-back seasons, 2010, and 2011. Joey Bats also had four different 100 RBI seasons earlier this decade. During his prime, he was all-star for six consecutive seasons (2010-2015) with the Toronto Blue Jays.
In some parts of the league, his offensive prowess has been overshadowed by his antics. He has rubbed opposing fans the wrong way for years.
Among those fans, he is better known for other reasons. From his controversial bat flips being on the wrong end of a Rougned Odor right cross in May 2016, he is more infamous than famous.
