O’Flaherty will now join rookie left-hander Sean Gilmartin as the only lefties in the Mets’ bullpen.
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New York sits atop the National League East standings as of Tuesday night (thanks largely to a recent sweep of the Washington Nationals), and this move was clearly made with an eye toward a pennant chase.
The Mets have designated Alex Torres for assignment and have acquired LHP Eric O’Flaherty and cash from Oakland in exchange for a player to be named later, the team announced. O’Flaherty had been placed on, and cleared, waivers by the A’s making him available to be traded once he went unclaimed.
O’Flaherty had Tommy John surgery in 2013 and came back late last season with Oakland. Torres has struggled in July with a 4.82 ERA, and lefty Jerry Blevins fractured his forearm earlier in the season and is yet to return. He is in the second year of a two-year, $7 million deal he signed with the Braves before the start of 2014.
Torres, 27, did not have a decision while posting a 3.15 ERA with one save in 39 games with the Mets this season. When you look at his splits, he fits the Mets’ need as a lefty specialist, holding left-handed hitters to a. 186 batting average while righties were hitting.420.
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The Mets have traded for A’s left-handed relief pitcher Eric O’Flaherty. However, if not, the Mets will have the opportunity to option him to Triple-A, where he can work on improving his command.
