Mets DFA Alex Torres, trade for A’s LHP Eric O’Flaherty

By Danny Abriano
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The Mets have designated Alex Torres for assignment and have acquired LHP Eric O’Flaherty and cash from Oakland in exchange for a player to be named later, the team announced.

O’Flaherty, 30, had been designated for assignment by the A’s on August 1.

Torres, 27, was acquired from the Padres for Cory Mazzoni during spring training. Torres posted a 3.15 ERA and 1.51 WHIP while walking 6.82 per 9 in 34 1/3 innings pitched (38 appearances) for the Mets this season.

O’Flaherty posted a 5.91 ERA and 1.97 WHIP in 21 1/3 innings (25 appearances) for Oakland before being designated for assignment.

While his overall numbers are poor, O’Flaherty has held left-handed hitters a .182/.286/.209 slash line while allowing just one extra-base hit so far this season.

Thoughts:

The fact that Torres lasted as long as he did on the roster is a bit of a miracle, but at least the Mets finally corrected the mistake.

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Torres was miscast from the start, as Terry Collins used him against left-handers even though he struggled mightily against them this season. However, no matter who he was facing, Torres’ control was simply too poor for him to remain at the major league level.

O’Flaherty, who has been fantastic against left-handers so far this season, should be a solid option against lefties as the Mets wait for Jerry Blevins to return. Blevins, who has been out since mid-April due to a broken left forearm, was recently cleared to throw.

At present, the Mets’ bullpen consists of O’Flaherty, Jeurys Familia, Tyler Clippard, Hansel Robles, Bobby Parnell, Carlos Torres, and Sean Gilmartin.

If Blevins returns before rosters expand on September 1, the Mets will have an interesting roster decision on their hands. However, the safe bet is that Blevins will not be ready until then or a bit after.

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