Mets acquire Frazier, Chirinos, Castro
The New York Mets made a flurry of deals prior to Monday's trade deadline, acquiring Todd Frazier and Robinson Chirinos from the Texas Rangers, the team announced.
The Mets also made a separate swap with the Baltimore Orioles for Miguel Castro, the club announced.
New York sent two players to be named later to Texas for Chirinos, Frazier, and cash considerations.
Heading back to Baltimore in the Castro trade is New York's No. 12-ranked prospect Kevin Smith, and either a player to be named later or cash.
Frazier, a two-time All-Star who played for the Mets in 2018 and 2019, returns to his former club while hitting .241/.322/.380 with two home runs this season. A veteran with declining power, Frazier's best campaign in New York came in 2019, when he posted a .772 OPS with 21 dingers. In January, the Rangers signed him to a one-year deal worth $5 million, which included a team option for 2021.
Chirinos will be a depth piece for the Mets, likely sliding in behind Wilson Ramos. The defense-first catcher was recently activated from the 10-day injured list and is hitting a mediocre .119/.224/.143 this season. He's a UFA at the end of the 2021 campaign.
Meanwhile, the Mets are getting a young power arm with Castro, who will probably become a back-end bullpen piece. The right-hander is sporting a 4.02 ERA across 15 2/3 innings with 24 strikeouts (13.8 K/9) this season. Castro may be given a bigger role after Dellin Betances was placed on the injured list with right lat tightness. The 25-year-old is under team control until 2023.
The Mets are 15-20, sitting in fourth in the NL East.