NY Mets trade gives back to the Red Sox for last year's September call ups

The New York Mets have made a seemingly minor move just before the end of the season, but one that has a significant backstory. The club has traded catcher Ali Sánchez to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations. This move, which comes just a few weeks after Sánchez was signed to a minor league deal by the Mets, serves as a bit of a karmic repayment to Boston.

Sánchez, who was initially brought in as a possible insurance policy for an injured Francisco Alvarez, is now heading to Boston. His brief time with the Mets this month, and his initial signing, highlighted a moment of uncertainty for the team's catching situation. Now, with Alvarez reportedly nearing a possible return this season, Sánchez has become expendable, and the Mets have found a new home for him in a city with which they have a recent history of September dealings.

The September transaction cycle continues

Last year, the Red Sox were on the other side of a similar transaction with the Mets. In a move that drew some criticism from Boston fans, the Red Sox traded infielder Pablo Reyes and catcher Eddy Alvarez to the Mets. The trades were made just as the September roster expansion period was approaching, and many saw the Mets benefiting from the addition of two players with some big-league experience for essentially nothing.

The Mets used both Reyes and Alvarez as depth pieces as they made their playoff push, and both players contributed in small ways. While neither player became a long-term fixture in the Mets organization, they provided value at a time when the team needed it most. The Red Sox, in turn, were able to clear some roster space and receive a small amount of cash in return, a common practice for teams out of the playoff race.

Now, with the shoe on the other foot, it’s the Red Sox who are looking to add some depth as they make a late-season push for a playoff spot. By acquiring Sánchez, they get a catcher with recent major league experience who can provide a solid defensive presence and a reliable bat off the bench. The move allows them to have another option behind the plate without using a valuable 40-man roster spot on an established veteran.

For the Mets, this move highlights their current status as a team in the thick of the Wild Card hunt rather than one looking to offload talent. Unlike a non-competitive team selling off pieces for future value, the Mets are simply making a minor adjustment. They're getting cash while they continue to focus on their primary goal: securing a spot in the postseason.