The New York Mets might be in the midst of the All-Star break, but president of baseball operations David Stearns is still active, making a minor trade with the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday to send a veteran infielder to the team.
Rylan Bannon is heading to the Twins
According to Ben Yoel, the Mets traded infielder Rylan Bannon to the Twins, with the exchange terms currently unknown but expected to involve cash.
Once a highly ranked prospect featured in the trade that sent Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bannon has played parts of two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros. He has made just 21 plate appearances, going 2-for-20 with a walk and eight strikeouts.
The Illinois native joined the Mets on a minor league contract last December and appeared in 79 games for Triple-A Syracuse, slashing .254/.392/.475 with 15 home runs, 57 RBIs, seven steals, and an impressive 60 walks, resulting in a 17.5% walk rate. Bannon played multiple positions in Triple-A, including second base, third base, shortstop, and both outfield corners.
What does this mean for the Mets?
Bannon’s trade might be surprising given his strong performance, but it makes sense. There’s a logjam at each position he’s played this season, and others are more likely to be called up over Bannon if openings arise. Trading him allows the Mets to get something in return for a player who might leave in the offseason, even if it’s just cash. Additionally, it frees up Bannon’s 342 plate appearances in the first half for other players who could soon make an impact in Flushing.