Mets get Naquin, Diehl from Reds
NEW YORK — The New York Mets acquired outfielder Tyler Naquin and lefty reliever Phillip Diehl from the Cincinnati Reds late Thursday night in a deal for two teenage minor leaguers.
Cincinnati received outfielder Hector Rodriguez and right-hander Jose Acuna.
It was the second time in seven days the Mets traded for a left-handed hitter with some pop. New York upgraded at DH last week, acquiring Daniel Vogelbach from the Pittsburgh Pirates for rookie reliever Colin Holderman.
Naquin, a first-round draft pick 10 years ago, was batting .246 with seven homers and 33 RBIS in 56 games for the Reds, who are last in the NL Central.
“Definitely wish him well in his career, and going to a first-place club — that’s great for him,” Reds vice president and general manager Nick Krall said.
As the NL East leaders look to add offense before Tuesday’s trade deadline, Naquin provides depth for an outfield that already includes All-star right fielder Starling Marte, center fielder Brandon Nimmo and left fielder Mark Canha.
The Mets view the 31-year-old Naquin as a good all-around player who can start a couple of times a week against right-handed pitching.
They developed interest in him last month and talks intensified when the clubs began exchanging names a few days ago.
“We had several teams that had interest in Tyler, but this was what we felt was the best deal for him and we felt it added two quality players to our pipeline,” Krall said.
Cincinnati also is expected to deal away Allstar righty Luis Castillo, perhaps the top starting pitcher on the trade market, and maybe others in the coming days.
The 28-year-old Diehl has an 11.12 ERA in five big league games covering 5 innings this season.
To make room on the roster, New York designated right-hander R.J. Alvarez for assignment.
The 18-year-old Rodriguez hit .356 with three homers and 16 RBIS in 26 games in the rookie-level complex league in Florida. He also appeared in two games with Class A St. Lucie this month, going 1 for 7 with a walk.
Royals activate Perez from IL
The Kansas City Royals activated All-star catcher Salvador Perez from the injured list Friday and put him in the starting lineup against the New York Yankees.
The reigning major league home run leader was set to bat third as the designated hitter barely a month after surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb.