Many Mets fans were disappointed that the Mets did not snag some of the big names that were available as the August 2 trading deadline approached. Juan Soto of course was at the top of the list of tradeable stars. The Mets instead went for some under-the-radar players who, so far, are proving to be very valuable. We will look at three position players who have made a difference, namely Daniel Vogelbach, Darin Ruf, and Tyler Naquin. Please note that all statistics cited are through Sundays’ action.
Vogelbach, 29, has been a well-traveled major leaguer with stints for the Mariners, Jays, Brewers, and Pirates. It did cost the Mets a promising reliever in Colin Holderman to pry Vogelbach from Pittsburgh. One of the Mets deadline goals had been to fortify the dh position, and Vogelbach was plugged into the left-handed batting role of that position. It was just as well since Vogelbach himself has admitted that if he is playing in the field, that means something has gone wrong.
In 13 games, Vogelbach has 46 PA, he’s scored five runs and driven in six. His slash line is .314/.478/.543, for an OPS of 1.021. He’s barreling up the ball well with a line drive rate 45.8%. His signature Mets play occurred against Washington on August third at Nationals Park. The beefy slugger powered a bases loaded shot into the right field stands, providing the margin of victory in a 9-5 Mets win.
The Mets acquired Ruf from the Giants for J.D. Davis and three non-elite prospects just before the trading deadline, to provide the right-handed portion of the dh platoon. Ruf can also play corner outfield and first base, but he is a bat-first type of player who hits lefties. He has performed in four games with 11 PA. His line is .273/.273/.364. His hard-hit percentage for the Mets is 50%.
On August 5, in the second game of the recent Braves series, he pounded a two run pinch hit double to drive in two runners. This was the game where the Mets fell behind 8-0 by the second inning, Ruf helped the team claw back to get closer in a game ultimately won by Atlanta 9-6.
Naquin, 31, was picked up from the Reds for 2 non-elite prolspects. He took over the role of fourth outfielder from Travis Jankowski who was released. The left-handed-batting Naquin has seen some action in LF for the Mets. The regular at that spot is Mark Canha, it has not been a true platoon there, but Naquin has had some playing time against righties. He has eight games under his belt with 23 PA. He’s scored five runs, he has hit a double, a triple and a homer, and has one SB. His line is .348/.348/.739 for an OPS of 1.087.
In the second game of the doubleheader sweep on Saturday, Naquin smacked an RBI single as a pinch hitter. He then swiped a bag and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly as the Mets won 6-2 over the Braves.
I’ll save the most important statistic for last. Since the first of these three new additions, Vogelbach, made his Mets debut on July 24, the team has posted an incredible 13-2 record. The three new Mets have all played a part in that great run. And, by the way, the big deadline prize of Soto is now employed by the San Diego Padres. The Padres have not fared nearly as well as the Mets, with a four game losing streak under way for them.
I really liked the Mets acquisitions. They were strategic. Soto would have cost them a fortune with no guarantee if an extension. We beefed up DH and strengthened our bench. Sure, we didn’t get Contreras, but for what? We have the number one prospect in MLB who is a catcher.
We needed to keep our prospects for offseason trades for potential starting pitchers, because four of them could walk out the door and not come back. I’d rather see Baty get traded for a starter than a rental.