Inside The Pinstripes

Yankees, Mets Swap Relievers in Trade

This is the third trade between the Yankees and Mets since 2015.

Max Goodman

In this story:

DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Yankees and Mets made a trade on Sunday afternoon, swapping relievers with less than a week to go until Opening Day.

Sending left-hander Joely Rodríguez to the Mets, the Yankees acquired right-hander Miguel Castro, the team confirmed.

Rodríguez, 30, was brought in by the Yankees last summer in the Joey Gallo trade with the Rangers. He posted a 2.84 ERA over 21 games (19 innings) in pinstripes in the second half of the regular season. 

Castro, 27, pitched to the tune of a 3.45 ERA over 70.1 innings last season in a Mets uniform last year (69 total appearances). 

Over his seven-year big-league career, Castro has gone 11-22 with seven saves and a 4.13 ERA. He's made a total of 299 appearances for the Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies, Baltimore Orioles and the Mets.

This deal comes less than 24 hours after the Yankees sent reliever Albert Abreu to Texas (along with left-hander Robert Ahlstrom) for veteran catcher Jose Trevino. 

Castro brings some high-octane stuff to the Bronx. The right-hander throws a 98-mph sinker (98th percentile in fastball velocity) and had a career-high 32.6 percent whiff rate (87th percentile) in 2021.

By dealing Rodríguez, New York must feel comfortable with the left-handed relievers they already have. With Zack Britton out, that leaves closer Aroldis Chapman and relievers Wandy Peralta and Lucas Luetge as the only remaining left-handers likely to start the season in the bullpen. Non-roster invitee Manny Bañuelos and prospect JP Sears are also in contention for an Opening Day roster spot. 

This is the third trade between the Yankees and Mets since 2005. On April 10, 2018, the Yankees acquired utility man L.J. Mazzilli from the Mets for outfielder Kendall Coleman. On December 19, 2014, the Yankees acquired right-hander Gonzalez Germen from the Mets for cash considerations.

MORE:

Follow Max Goodman on Twitter (@MaxTGoodman), be sure to bookmark Inside The Pinstripes and check back daily for news, analysis and more.

Published
Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

Home/News