NY Mets make low-risk trade with Tigers for lifelong minor leaguer

Last week, the New York Mets made a savvy move to scoop up a post-hype player with some untapped potential in Christopher Morel. The chances of him coming up to the big leagues and making an impact are slim, but in what has amounted to a lost season, those are the type of upside plays David Stearns and the front office should be making on a frequent basis for the rest of the year.

By contrast, the team's latest move isn't exactly laden with home-run potential. The Mets have acquired right-handed pitcher Matt Seelinger from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for everyone's favorite baseball star: cash considerations.

Seelinger is a 31-year-old career minor leaguer who has yet to make his MLB debut since being selected in the 28th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. However, it looks like he'll finally get that chance in New York, as he activated an upward mobility clause that will require him to be placed on the 26-man active roster.

The Mets' 40-man roster is currently full, so they'll need to make a corresponding move (i.e., place someone on the 60-day injured list or trade/DFA someone) in order to accomodate Seelinger.

Matt Seelinger provides Mets a capable bullpen innings-eater in advance of fateful trade deadline

Seelinger has had one heck of a journey since that fateful 2017 draft. The Pittsburgh Pirates moved him in a trade for old friend Adeiny Hechavarría one year after being drafted, and in subsequent years he was traded to the San Francisco Giants, claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies, took a tour in independent ball with the Long Island Ducks, and then spent a long time in the Tigers organization.

What's particularly impressive is that, despite all that moving around, Seelinger has actually posted some impressive stats. In Triple-A this season, he's been responsible for a 3.89 ERA and 4.16 FIP, recording a 29.3% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate in 27 appearances. He primarily functions as a long reliever out of the bullpen, so he'll be able to eat some innings if/once the Mets start trading away their key relievers in advance of the deadline.

In all, he's spent ample time at every level of the minor leagues, with a 2.90 ERA in Double-A and a 3.40 ERA in Triple-A to show for it. Seelinger's signing bonus was for a measly $2,000, and yet he's stuck with the sport for long enough to earn his chance in the big leagues. For both his sake and the Mets', here's hoping his debut was worth the wait.

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