Last minute Mets trade with the Red Sox continued a year-long theme for both teams

The New York Mets didn’t give the fans what they wanted with a September promotion for Luisangel Acuna. However, for them to quickly pivot away from Pablo Reyes and instead acquired Eddy Alvarez from the Boston Red Sox this week showed a lack of quit in the front office.

The season-ending injury to Jeff McNeil played a factor in this last minute move. They may have already been on the hunt for some alternative options. Alvarez, with a better history of showing off speed and a powerful display of 26 doubles and 18 home runs in Triple-A this season, made sense to acquire.

Although ineligible for the playoffs because he was added after August 31, the Mets now have a better runner on the bench and someone they have more faith in taking on the backup second base role to give Jose Iglesias any time off he may need. It might not have been so possible if David Stearns wasn’t actively making small trades like this one all year with the Red Sox.

The Mets and Red Sox were able to make one final helpful move in September

Stearns and Red Sox Chief Baseball Office Craig Breslow have developed a fantastic working relationship this year. Ivy Leaguers with the same religious background, they have more in common than just their jobs. Stearns has done a good job of keeping his personal life and personality close to the vest. Perhaps if there is anyone he’d open up with it’s the guy he made multiple trades with since taking over as the President of Baseball Operations for the Mets.

Along with Reyes and Alvarez, the teams made several other moves. Zack Short and Tyler Heineman went from the Mets to the Red Sox in player for cash deals. Far more notable was the decision for the Mets to draft Justin Slaten in the Rule 5 Draft and immediately flip him to Boston for prospect Ryan Ammons.

A whole lot of minor and seemingly forgettable moves along the way, sending Alvarez to the Mets comes as a bit of a “thank you” back to Stearns for Slaten who has been one of the best relievers in Boston this season. Alvarez wasn’t going to be much use for the Red Sox anyway. Having spent all year in the minors, why not continue this working friendship?

Because both teams did end up as trade deadline buyers, there never was the pennant deciding move to make between the two clubs. But you better believe Stearns and Breslow haven’t talked for the last time. A trade in the offseason. Some advice about a free agent whom they might let walk. A waiver claim to simply block the other’s rival from snatching someone up. It’s good to have friends willing to help out.