Mets salvage some value for Billy McKinney in trade with Dodgers

The New York Mets were about to designate Billy McKinney for assignment, but the Dodgers swooped in to ensure they had first dibs.

McKinney is out of minor-league options, leaving the Mets little choice but to either trade him, or send him to waivers. In time with the Brewers and Mets this season, McKinney has a slash line of .213/.282/.415 with a pedestrian nine home runs. He doesn’t bring much value as an everyday outfielder, but for a team in need of organizational depth like the Dodgers, he’s a solid add.

In return, the Mets received outfield prospect Carlos Rincon. While Rincon isn’t about to set the Mets system on fire, it’s not a bad add considering New York was about to lose McKinney for nothing.

Mets swing minor trade with Dodgers

The Dodgers will have to keep McKinney on the active roster, and he could pick up some consistent playing time against righties while AJ Pollock gets much-deserved time off.

Rincon is a 23-year-old slashing .263/.343/.470 with 12 home runs at Double-A Tulsa (previously). He was not ranked among the Dodgers top-30 prospects before the trade, and it’s unlikely he’ll land there with the Mets right now.

If anything, his stats and minor-league standing prove he’s essentially major-league ready if the Mets need a McKinney replacement with options available in the coming weeks.