After acquiring Tyler Clippard at the trade deadline, the New York Mets had thought they had found a key piece in their bullpen. Then the suspension of reliever Jenrry Mejia came and caused another scramble for another arm in the bullpen.
The Mets have acquired left-handed pitcher Eric O'Flaherty from the Oakland Athletics for cash and a player to be named later. Reliever Alex Torres was designated for assignment as the corresponding move.
The 30-year-old has been a little off this year. O'Flaherty has appeared in 25 games this season and has a 5.91 ERA. Although he is having a rough year, O'Flaherty has been one of the best relief pitchers in the big leagues in recent years. Since departing from the Seattle Mariners in 2009, O'Flaherty has a 2.16 ERA in six seasons with the Atlanta Braves and the Athletics. He also averaged 71 strikeouts per season during that time. His career ERA is 2.99 He has been one of the most dominant left-handed relievers out of the pen. The Washington native will step into the seventh inning role for the Mets, as they try to have a deadly trio like the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees.
The Athletics trade another one of their key players. O'Flaherty was apart of a very good bullpen last season and general manager Billy Beane continues to unload his team that had made the playoffs three years in a row. This move is the first trade after the non-waiver deadline.
This move for the Mets adds depth and strengthens their bullpen. With the addition of Clippard and O' Flaherty, the Mets have a very good seventh-eighth-ninth inning trio. Closer Jeurys Familia has been a lockdown closer this year with a 2.10 ERA and 28 saves. Besides those acquisitions, the team also acquired outfielder Yoenis Cespedes at the deadline. Bolstering the outfield, lineup, and now the bullpen shows that the Mets are a team that's ready to win.