The New York Mets have traded right fielder Jose Bautista to the Philadelphia Phillies in return for a player who will be named later or for cash. The Phillies have designated, Mark Leiter Jr. for the assignment to make space for Bautista on its 40-man roster. This trade comes in just a day after the Phillies claimed the 37-year-old Bautista on revocable waivers on Monday. Both the teams had time till Tuesday to work out a trade.
With Yoenis Cespedes being not a part of the season due to a heel injury, the Mets were facing a logjam in the outfield. The 25-year-old Michael Conforto is now being considered as a cornerstone. With Jay Bruce making a comeback from the disabled list after a hip injury and Brandon Nimmo returning after a finger injury and all set to be activated on Tuesday, Bautista has now become expendable.
Bautista had signed a Minor-League contract with the Atlanta Braves in April before he was released later in May after hitting only .143 with two home runs and 5 RBIs in twelve games. The All-star player was later signed by the Mets, who desperately needed a right-handed fielder along with Cespedes as well as Todd Frazier being on the disabled list.
He has on an average hit .204 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs since he signed the deal with Mets. His average, however, dropped over the last two months as he hit only .157 in his 24 appearances in August. Though, he has .713 OPS in the past 14 games.
This is the second contract between the two NL East rival teams this season. The Mets had traded infielder Asdrubal Cabrera to the Phillies in return for right-hander Franklyn Kilome just before the 31 July non-waiver trade deadline.
