The New York Mets recently announced they have acquired outfielder Khalil Lee from Kansas City in a three-team trade. The Mets sent RHP Josh Winckowski and a player-to-be-named-later to the Boston Red Sox. To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher Ali Sánchez has been designated for assignment.
Lee, 22, was ranked Kansas City’s eighth-best prospect in 2020 according to MLB.com. In 2019, he slashed .264/.363/.372 with 53 stolen bases, the third-most in the minor leagues with Northwest Arkansas (AA). The 5-10, 170-pounder was Kansas City’s organizational Player of the Year and was a Texas League All-Star. He led the league with 65 walks, scored 74 runs, collected 21 doubles, eight homers and had 51 RBI in 129 games in 2019.
Lee, the 103rd-overall pick in the 2016 First Year Player Draft, has slashed .256/.366/.409 with 72 doubles, 19 triples, 37 homers, 192 RBI and 97 stolen bases in 399 career minor league games.
Lee was Virginia’s Gatorade High School Player of the Year Award recipient as a senior after hitting .471 with six homers.
Winckowski, 22, was acquired by the Mets in the January 27 trade that sent LHP Steven Matz to the Blue Jays.
RAPID REACTION: We have to wait and see who the PTBNL is coming from the Mets to fully evaluate this deal, but it seems like a win/win for the Mets. The organization is devout of upper-level outfield prospects, and Lee is just that. While many feel that his potential has fizzled a bit since he was hyped as a big-time prospect, but he’s certainly a guy work taking a flier on. Being that center field has been an issue for this team for years, there’s an opportunity there to be noticed. Let’s see if Lee is ready to make the leap.
