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The less memorable NY Mets-Braves trade in 2015 for a guy who hit .000

The Mets acquired more than Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe from the Braves in 2015.
Sep 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19) tags out New York Mets  Eric Young Jr. (1) trying to steal during the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Sep 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19) tags out New York Mets Eric Young Jr. (1) trying to steal during the eighth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

You are what you eat, you are what your record says you are, and in some cases you just are. The New York Mets knew him well enough from the past. They gave him a long look over the course of a year and a half.

Eric Young Jr. was no doubt an athlete. His biggest strength, by literal miles, was to run. His 46 stolen bases in 2013 with 38 coming as a member of the Mets and the other 8 with the Colorado Rockies led the National League. He could flat out run and in August of 2015, the Mets viewed him as a useful bench piece for the remainder of the year.

In a straight cash for player swap, the Mets brought him back. It was a weird time in the franchise’s history. Weeks earlier, they acquired fellow role-players Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe from Atlanta as well. That pair hit and played defense. Young was almost exclusively present to run and play a little defense.

Eric Young Jr. is an easily forgotten member of the late season push for the playoffs

Young was acquired on August 22 while hitting .169/.229/.273. In the minor leagues for Atlanta at the time, he was promoted to the big leagues when the calendar flipped to September and the rosters expanded.

He received an at-bat in that first game and played a little right field. On September 5, he started his only game for the Mets that year. 0 for 3 but with a run scored, his role became almost exclusive to taking over mid-inning as a pinch runner.

Young never picked up a single hit in any of his 9 plate appearances for the Mets. He did manage to score 9 runs. The usefulness was clear. Get a slow guy on base in a game late, substitute him for Young.

Left off the playoff rosters during the October run, Young became a free agent after the season and would make his next MLB appearance with the New York Yankees. In 2017 and 2018, he had extensive playing time as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. If he was itching for some playoff games, he picked the wrong team.

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