How about these Mets? With the major-league Mets surging into first place and the trade deadline finally in the rearview mirror, most Mets fans are focused on the big-league team’s exploits. But there’s still plenty going on behind the scenes in the Mets’ minor-league organization. Here’s everything that you’ve missed while you’ve been following the major league squad.
Signings and Roster Moves
7/30: The Mets released LF John Mayberry Jr.
7/31: The Mets traded RHP Luis Cessna and RHP Michael Fulmer to the Detroit Tigers for OF Yoenis Cespedes. They activated Cespedes the same day.
– The Mets activated C Travis D’Arnaud from the 15-day disabled list. They optioned C Anthony Recker back to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room.
8/1: The Mets signed free agent RHP Tim Stauffer to a minor-league deal
– The Mets optioned LF Michael Conforto back to Triple-A Las Vegas
8/2: The Mets put OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis on the 15-day DL (retroactive to July 30) and brought LF Michael Conforto back up again.
– RHP Erik Goeddel was sent to the St. Lucie Mets for a rehab assignment.
8/4: The Mets acquired LHP Eric O’Flaherty and cash from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for a player to be named later.
8/5: The Mets activated O’Flaherty, the acquisition from the day before, and designated LHP Carlos Torres for assignment to make room.
8/7: The Mets sent Dawrin Frias to Oakland to complete the O’Flaherty trade.
– LF Michael Cuddyer was sent to St. Lucie to begin a rehab assignment.
8/8: The Mets sent LHP Alex Torres outright to Triple-A Las Vegas.
8/10: The Mets sent 3B David Wright to begin his rehab assignment in St. Lucie
– The Mets activated LF Michael Cuddyer from the 15-day DL. They optioned 3B Eric Campbell down to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room.
8/11: The Mets sent RHP Rafael Montero to St. Lucie for a rehab assignment
8/12: The Mets optioned C Kevin Plawecki down to Triple-A Las Vegas and called C Anthony Recker back up to the majors.
8/13: The Mets sent OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis to St. Lucie to begin a rehab assignment.
Around the Minors
The minor-league Mets have not quite been the world-beaters that the major league squad has been lately. The Triple-A Las Vegas 51s stumbled a bit at the end of July, going 2-4 in their last week. They’re 7-5 so far this month. Double-A Binghamton is 6-5 this month, and Brooklyn is a dismal 3-10.
Still, the Mets’ minor league squads are showing that there is plenty of talent left in the system. Recent Mets signing Tim Stauffer tossed a two-hitter at Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday – he’s 33, but could still have some promise. 25-year-old OF Darrell Ceciliani hit extremely well this week, particularly on Thursday, when he went 4 for 5 with a home run. The hitting prospect batted over .400 on the week. Like Stauffer, Ceciliani is plying his trade with the Triple-A squad.
Other News
Now that the trade deadline has passed, the Mets aren’t going to make any more blockbuster moves (future trade candidates would have to clear waivers, meaning that the big names are staying put). Still, their small post-deadline moves – like signing RHP Tim Stauffer – have looked good so far.
It’s been a big month for rehab assignments, and nobody is being watched more closely than star 3B David Wright, whose injury issues have kept him off the field for most of this season. Wright made a couple of rehab starts in St. Lucie this week and did not look particularly pained. Of course, only Wright knows for sure how he’s feeling. The Mets are reportedly targeting a late August series in Colorado as the date for Wright’s big return.
