NY Mets: Joey Lucchesi trade looks worse when checking in on Endy Rodriguez

Through 15.2 innings with the New York Mets, pitcher Joey Lucchesi is 1-3 with a 9.19 ERA. He has been used as a starter and reliever with several of those appearances in relief coming after an opener was used in the game he pitched.

I don’t fault Lucchesi for being mishandled by the Mets. His role feels a little too undefined at the moment which could be why we’re seeing the early results from this trade look so poor.

To make us feel a little more rotten, I thought I would check in on the one player the Mets gave up in the three-team deal involving the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Mets are the early losers in the trade involving Joey Lucchesi

A lot of moving parts were involved in bringing Lucchesi to New York. The primary part of the deal involved the Padres sending multiple prospects to the Pirates in exchange for Joe Musgrove. However, this wasn’t enough. The Mets poked their heads in and acquired Lucchesi in exchange for low-minor leaguer Endy Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, a catcher and outfielder (if he can dance, the Pirates have a future Broadway star on their hands), is the 27th ranked prospect Pittsburgh has. This may not look overly impressive nor should we start shedding any tears. It’s far too soon to riot because Rodriguez is still a long way from reaching the major leagues.

Unfortunately, on a team like the Pirates that is always seeking young help, the path may clear out for this soon-to-be 21-year-old. After some good results playing n Rookie Ball when he was a member of the Mets organization in 2018-2019, Rodriguez is now in Single-A for the Bradenton Marauders. In his first 13 games, Rodriguez is slashing .288/.362/.500 with a pair of home runs and 7 RBI.

Far from dazzling, the sample size remains a small example of what may lie ahead for this former Mets minor leaguer. Does he become the next great Pirates catcher? Or will we forget he was ever property of the Mets?

More important than a player’s performance in the low minors after a baker’s dozen number of games is how the big league squads are benefitting. The Pirates were able to help reload their farm system in this deal. The Padres landed Musgrove who is doing more than throwing the franchise’s first no-hitter. He has been exceptional for them this year.

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Lucchesi has failed to fit in well with the Mets even with the need for starting pitching. It’s a shame because there was a real opportunity for him to win a role on next year’s ball club. Instead, he’s in limbo and I don’t mean the fun party game responsible for breaking backs.