Overview

• The Mets traded Double-A right-hander Cameron Foster and Low-A prospect Wellington Aracena to Baltimore in exchange for left-hander Gregory Soto.
• Soto was a two-time All-Star with a 3.96 ERA this season but has struggled with control, averaging 4.5 walks per nine innings and allowing two homers in eight hits versus left-handed hitters.
• New York’s bullpen ERA climbed from a 2.78 mark through May to 5.02 since June, placing it 27th in MLB and fueling the urgency for reinforcements.
• President of Baseball Operations David Stearns affirmed the bullpen as the foremost priority and indicated the club will also pursue ‘ceiling-raising’ starting pitchers if options emerge.
• The front office remains in negotiations for additional established relievers such as David Bednar, Kyle Finnegan and Emmanuel Clase as it continues to fortify late-inning depth.