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NY Mets trade player who almost made the roster over Luisangel Acuna to the Phillies

One of the final spring roster cuts has been traded.
ByTim Boyle|
Feb 27, 2025; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Donovan Walton (83) returns to the dugout against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Feb 27, 2025; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Donovan Walton (83) returns to the dugout against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Late on Monday, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies made a trade. No, it wasn’t the kind of swap you’d receive texts from friends over. This was one of those deals so minimal you might have already forgotten the player involved existed.

Donovan Walton has been sent to the Phillies in exchange for cash considerations. The 31-year-old was hitting .222/.315/.377 with 7 doubles, 11 home runs, and 37 RBI in Syracuse. Used mostly on the middle infield with a few starts at third base and left field, it’s easy to lose your recollection about how there was a point when many believed he’d make the Mets Opening Day roster over Luisangel Acuna.

It was speculative but there was a point when Donovan Walton was believed to be a serious contender to make the Mets

This was the scenario at the time: the Mets needed a versatile infielder and weren’t so sure they had much playing time available for Acuna. Sound familiar? It’s exactly what ended up happening when Jeff McNeil returned from the IL and started to hit so well they couldn’t afford to bench him. Meanwhile, Acuna slumped after that first month. Irregular at-bats might have been a part of the problem. Either way, the Mets (and Anthony DiComo) envisioned how the team might make more use of Walton while allowing Acuna to develop further in the minors.

McNeil’s injury gave me reason for the Mets to give Acuna a chance. He rewarded them early on until he eventually became nothing more than a defensive replacement and pinch runner. Demoted just over a week ago back to Triple-A, Acuna has immediately produced to the tune of a .333/.400/.429 slash line going 7 for 21 with a pair of doubles for Syracuse.

Getting back to the majors won’t be so simple for Acuna. Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio already need to worry about a demotion as soon as Jesse Winker returns. Acuna’s lack of power isn’t a shock to see this season, but it is holding him back on a roster in need of more than the .241/.293/.283 slash line he put together in 158 plate appearances at the major league level.

Would things have gone differently if the Mets chose Walton to start the year and later transitioned Acuna back to the majors after a few weeks? We might find out when he gets his next opportunity—however and whenever that’ll be available. It’s beginning to feel like that won’t be with the Mets.

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