MLB notes: Mets get Yoenis Cespedes at trade deadline
The Mets finally landed the bat they were looking for in Yoenis Cespedes just ahead of Friday’s trade deadline, and Cole Hamels confirmed he blocked a trade to Houston before Philadelphia dealt its ace to Texas.
Sixteen trades were made Friday ahead of the annual deadline for deals without waivers.
Hamels was the only top starting pitcher dealt following earlier trades that sent Scott Kazmir to Houston, Johnny Cueto to Kansas City and David Price to Toronto.
Cespedes, eligible for free agency after the season, hit .293 with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs in 102 games for the Tigers. Seeking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006, the Mets have a talented starting rotation but rank last in the majors in runs and batting average, and 29th in on-base percentage and slugging.
“He’s a very dynamic player,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said. “We think he’s going to impact us in a number of different ways.”
New York already had added infielders Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson, and reliever Tyler Clippard.
“When you’re in the hunt, what you want is general managers on your team to be somewhat aggressive,” injured third baseman David Wright said as news of the Cespedes trade was breaking. “And it seems like Sandy has done that. So give him credit.”
Texas completed its deal to acquire Hamels and left-handed reliever Jake Diekman for left-hander Matt Harrison and five prospects. The Rangers will receive $9.5 million to offset part of the contract for Hamels, who is due $22.5 million per season through 2018 with a club option for 2019.
Hamels, 6-7 with a 3.64 ERA, figures to be part of a rotation next year with Japanese ace Yu Darvish, who had Tommy John surgery in March.
Toronto acquired outfielder Ben Revere from Philadelphia, following up on its deals for All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, reliever LaTroy Hawkins and Price.
All-Star Pierce dies at 88
Billy Pierce, a seven-time All-Star pitcher who played in two World Series and spent most of his 18 years in the majors with the Chicago White Sox, died Friday. He was 88.
Pierce died after a battle with gall bladder cancer, said his family and the White Sox.
The left-hander played for Chicago from 1949 to 1961, starting three All-Star games in the mid-1950s. He also played for his hometown Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants, going 211-169 with a 3.27 ERA, 1,999 strikeouts, 193 complete games and 38 shutouts.
Clearing the bases
The Angels placed LHP C.J. Wilson on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation. … LHP Clayton Kershaw’s next start for the Dodgers was bumped to today, and RHP Zack Greinke was moved up to start Friday night against the Angels. … Touted pitching prospect Luis Severino will make his next start with the Yankees. Manager Joe Girardi said the 21-year-old righty will start at home next week against Boston, but didn’t specify when he would get the ball.