Picture credit: Arturo Pardavila III
The Oakland Athletics have been a good team this season, surprising everyone by going into the All-Star break with a 55-42 record and they're currently 3rd place in the AL West and sit only 3 games out of the 2nd Wild Card spot. Oakland has now bolstered their bullpen with the addition of Jeurys Familia. Familia will roll into Oakland with a 2.88 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 17 saves, and a 43/14 K/BB ratio through 40.2 innings. He was limited in 2017 due to a 15 game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy, as well as an arterial clot in his right shoulder requiring immediate surgery to be removed. He then returned in mid-August and pitched in reasonably low-leverage situations.
In the return
In return for shipping Familia to Oakland, New York will receive 3B Will Toffey and RHP Bobby Wahl, as well as international signing pool money. Toffey, the Athletics #17 prospect, is hitting a modest .244 with 5 home runs and 32 RBI this season. The 23-year-old was drafted by Oakland in the 4th round of the 2017 draft. Toffey is a solid defensive 3rd baseman with a good arm and is developing his power, though he's only hit 6 home runs in 105 pro games played. It's rumored that the Mets might consider Toffey at catcher, they believe he has the skill set to be successful there. But for the immediate future he's a 3rd baseman.
New York will also receive RHP Bobby Wahl. Wahl, who's 26 years old, briefly appeared for Oakland in 2017 and pitched in 7 games, striking out 8, walking 4, and allowing 4 earned runs over 7.2 innings. Although he's had relatively good success in the minors. In 2018, Wahl has pitched to an impressive 2.27 ERA for Oakland's AAA affiliate Nashville. He's dominated hitters with relative ease, striking out 65 hitters over 39.2 innings, and holding opposing teams to a mere 10 earned runs while recording 11 saves. In addition to the two prospects, Oakland will send $1,000,000 in International Slot money. Oakland will also eat up the rest of Familia's 2018 salary, which sits at just over $3,000,000 for the rest of 2018.
What's next?
The New York Mets are officially beginning their rebuild, and Jeurys Familia is the first domino to fall. It's unclear if more highly sought-after players like Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard will also get a ticket out of Queens. But for Familia, he'll get an opportunity to help Oakland pursue a Wild Card spot. However for Familia, he likely won't be closing many games for his new team, as Oakland has Blake Treinen, who they acquired from Washington last year, has been an absolute force on the mound for the A's. Treinen owns a 0.94 ERA and has successfully converted 24 saves this season. Although Familia will no doubt aid the Athletics effort in reaching the postseason for the first time since 2014.
Is moving Jeurys Familia out of the organization the right move for the Mets? Let us know in the comments below.