Daniel Vogelbach proving smaller moves have big impacts

New York Mets v Washington Nationals
New York Mets v Washington Nationals / Greg Fiume/GettyImages
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The New York Mets chose to go a different direction than the norm with their DH selection at the MLB trade deadline. The duo of Daniel Vogelbach and Darin Ruf will man the bulk of the at-bats in this spot. Vogelbach gets the righties. Ruf gets the lefties.

So far, we’ve seen the Vogelbach acquisition pay off. On Wednesday, he even added a grand slam that turned out to be the different in a 9-5 win.

Mets lineup has a new threat with Daniel Vogelbach in it

Vogelbach is now slashing .308/.471/.500 for the Mets. Who would have thought? He did have all of the makings of being a folk hero for the team. The same way Kevin Pillar got a black eye last year. Or how Wilmer Flores became a lifetime fan-favorite in 2015 when he cried after thinking he was getting traded. There was a lot to like about Vogelbach both in appearance, attitude, and skill. In 9 games and 26 trips to the plate, it’s looking like he could be more than a minor role player.

The MLB trade deadline is thought to be the time to add the Juan Soto missing from your roster. How often is it that those major blockbusters actually end up leading to a championship? Many are misses or at least end up being trades that age better in future seasons.

The Vogelbach trade falls in line with something like the Mets acquiring Donn Clendenon in 1969. He shared first base duties throughout that season with Ede Kranepool. Because of the way the roster was structured and how Gil Hodes used them, Clendenon didn’t even appear in the NLCS versus the Atlanta Braves.

That’s not to suggest Vogelbach is in the same class as Clendenon just yet. Those acknowledgments can only get handed out in October. And had Clendenon not been the World Series MVP, it wouldn’t have been so highly-regarded in New York sports lore.

Those upset that the Mets swapped Colin Holderman for Vogelbach might still miss the pitcher they lost. Those same people are probably having a hard time not accepting what Vogelbach has brought to the table. He has been nothing short of amazing.

Next. 5 most shocking transactions in Mets history. dark