Fansided

Mets to acquire Juan Uribe, Kelly Johnson from Braves

By Matt Verderame

May 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Kelly Johnson (24) hits a single for his 1,000 career base hit against the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Kelly Johnson (24) hits a single for his 1,000 career base hit against the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Mets have absolutely no offensive firepower, but general manager Sandy Alderson attempted to alter that fact on Friday. The Mets will reportedly give up a pair of minor league pitchers in Michael Grant and Rob Whalen to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for infielders Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson, according to multiple reports.

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Uribe is definitely coming in as a rental player. At 36 years old, Uribe has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Braves this season, spending most of his time at third base. To date, Uribe is hitting .272 with eight home runs and 23 RBI. Johnson, 33, is hitting .275 with nine home runs and 34 RBI.

New York has endured a very light-hitting infield this season with third baseman David Wright going down early with a potentially career-ending back injury. Second baseman Daniel Murphy and catcher Travis d’Arnaud have also missed ample time, putting the offensive load on Wilmer Flores and Ruben Tejada, along with slugging first baseman Lucas Duda.

Without question, the Mets fans are not going to be satisfied with this move if it stands along as the only thing Alderson does. New York has plenty of pitching to make the playoffs with Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard leading the way, so many in Gotham are seeing this as a potentially wasted opportunity to get into the postseason for the first time in almost a decade.

New York desperately needs somebody to play in one of the corner outfield spots. Curtis Granderson has been underwhelming for the Mets since coming over on a four-year deal, leaving most of his power in the short porch of Yankee Stadium. Without a bat in the middle of the order to scare opposing pitchers, this move rings hollow for the Amazins’.

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