Mets land Cespedes from Tigers for 2 minor leaguers

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It came down the wire, but the New York Mets finally landed their big bat.

Mere moments before Friday's non-waiver trade deadline, the Mets acquired outfielder Yoenis Cespedes from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for right-hander Michael Fulmer and pitcher/infielder Luis Cessa.

Cespedes, an impending free agent, was linked to multiple teams in recent days as the Tigers began to dismantle their roster, unloading both David Price and Joakim Soria. Acquired from the Boston Red Sox this winter, Cespedes hit .293/.323/.506 with 18 home runs, 28 doubles, and 61 RBIs in 102 games with the Tigers.

For the Mets, the addition of Cespedes caps a trying week for general manager Sandy Alderson. On Wednesday, the Mets appeared to have a deal in place for outfielder Carlos Gomez, before it was nixed due to concerns with the outfielder's hips. Gomez was later dealt to the Houston Astros.

Similarly, the Mets were though to making progress with the Cincinnati Reds on a deal for outfielder Jay Bruce on Friday, but discussions lost steam as the deadline grew nearer.

Though his tenure in Queens may last just two months, Cespedes immediately improves a Mets lineup that ranks fifth-last in the majors in park-adjusted offense (.680 OPS; 87 wRC+) and remains weakened by injuries to David Wright and Travis d'Arnaud. Short as his stint may be, Cespedes will join his fourth team in a 12-month span when he makes his Mets debut.

Mets' projected lineup

New York enters play Friday trailing the division-leading Washington Nationals by three games, and sitting 4 1/2 back in the wild card.