Which way are the New York Mets going? Are they looking to salvage the season by loading up for a Wild Card push? Or, after four generally disappointing months, are they looking to sell off some veteran parts? On Thursday, we got a potential answer.
The Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 2-1 on Thursday. There was a delay of more than an hour with the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning and New York threatening. At the time of the delay, it seemed like David Robertson, who’s been New York’s primary closer this season with Edwin Díaz out, would take the mound in the ninth inning. Either New York would take the lead or the game would be tied. In both scenarios, the home team’s closer tends to handle the ninth inning.
When the game resumed, the Mets took the lead. But in the top of the ninth inning, it was Brooks Raley, not Robertson, pitching for New York. It seemed like it might just be a matter of manager Buck Showalter not wanting the 38-year-old Robertson to start throwing again. But SNY’s Howie Rose did point out that in late July, something like this “leads to speculation because the trading deadline is around the corner.” That ended up being a prescient reminder.
Because shortly after Raley closed out New York’s win over Washington, Ken Rosenthal reported that Robertson had been traded to the Miami Marlins.
The SNY crew was onto something here.
"Robertson was warming up before the rain delay. But he never got up after the rain delay. Of course, this time of year, that leads to speculation because the trading deadline is around the corner." https://t.co/FZHi4wY9ah pic.twitter.com/SIaLsAQA4D
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 28, 2023
The MLB world reacted to the Mets seemingly officially proclaiming themselves sellers.
Now we know why Raley pitched the ninth instead of Robertson. The sell-off begins. https://t.co/nRu61iJNJC
— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) July 28, 2023
Mets just officially declared themselves as sellers, per @Ken_Rosenthal here, by trading Robertson to Marlins. Need a good return on the deal because Mets' bullpen is worthless without Robertson. https://t.co/Un7KE36v4Q
— John Harper (@NYNJHarper) July 28, 2023
White Flag https://t.co/oxuwvCdBVp
— Jerry Blevins (@jerryblevins) July 28, 2023
The Mets are open for business👀👀 https://t.co/VZtBlPbOnU
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) July 28, 2023
What a wild story.
The Mets, with the highest payroll in the history of baseball, are fully punting at the trade deadline. https://t.co/Y4G3b5j8Ke
— Alex Carr (@AlexCarrMLB) July 28, 2023
Selling season is here https://t.co/uGJfmNc4gk
— Laura Albanese (@AlbaneseLaura) July 28, 2023
Joel Sherman detailed the haul that the Mets are getting from Miami.
The Mets are getting infielder Marco Vargas and catcher Ronald Hernandez for Robertson.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 28, 2023
Robertson has had a nice season for the Mets. He’s saved 14 games, posting a 2.05 ERA, 1.000 WHIP with 48 strikeouts in 44 innings over 40 appearances.
