The Mets’ trade with the Brewers is better than expected

While the entire baseball world is currently waiting for the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes, the New York Mets quietly made another trade, to bolster their depth.

The Mets made a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, acquiring right-handed pitcher Adrian Houser and outfielder Tyrone Taylor, and sending minor-league pitcher Coleman Crow to the Brew Crew.

Just like their other acquisitions this offseason, this one will not excite many fans and create major headlines. But this deal could turn out much better than expected.

Houser is a proven pitcher in the major leagues, both starting and relieving. As a starter, Houser went 8-5 with a 4.12 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 111 1/3 innings in 2023. His best season came a couple of years ago in 2021, when he was 10-6 with a 3.22 ERA.

Houser may be just a mid-rotation starter, but he is reliable and will provide depth in the rotation when needed.

If the Mets somehow have more than enough starters in their rotation, Houser can also fill in at the bullpen, where careerwise he has been even better with a 1.76 ERA in 32 relief appearances.

So, Houser can provide flexibility at the rotation and bullpen wherever he’s needed at.

Taylor spent five seasons with the Brewers and although he’s mostly been a bench player, he is an outfielder who’s played all three outfield positions, with him playing center the most. Taylor may have hit only .239 in his career, but he will also provide flexibility in the outfield and can fill in at any three outfield positions if needed. He can also provide some speed with 18 stolen bases in his career.

So, this trade may not be a deal breaker, but it’s one that can provide not only more depth, but more flexibility within the pitching and the outfield situations for the Mets.