The Mets completed two deals in the final hours before yesterday's trade deadline. In the first, New York sent LHP Bobby M. Jones, RHP Josh Reynolds, and OF-R Jason Bay to San Diego for RHP Steve Reed and RHP Jason Middlebrook. Later, the Mets traded OF-R Jay Payton, OF-R Robert Stratton, and RHP Mark Corey to Colorado for RHP John Thomson and OF-R Mark Little.

New York GM Steve Phillips successfully improved his team both this season and next, which is important as at this point I don't think they'll take either their division or the Wild Card. San Diego signed Steve Reed to a minor league contract this off-season. The 36-year-old has traditionally dominated right-handers but this season he's stepped up to pitch very well against everyone. In 41 IP, he compiled a 36:10 K:BB with 33 H and 2 HR allowed while with the Padres. Reed should immediately begin to share setup duties with Dave Weathers. While Reed will be a free agent after the season, he's a very good pick up now.

I recommended the Padres move Middlebrook to the rotation rather than continue to parade their unprepared minor league pitchers on and off the roster. However, San Diego limited him to relief work while he was active, and at the end of June he strained his groin, causing him to spend all of July on the disabled list. During his limited time on the roster, he allowed just 31 H and 1 HR in 35.1 IP with a 28:15 K:BB. Last season in AAA, the 27-year-old demonstrated skills worthy of an extended tryout in a major league rotation. Unfortunately, he suffered control problems during the three starts the Padres gave him with the big league club.

Although he's already started a rehab assignment for his strained groin, the Mets may try to keep him on the DL until rosters expand in September. Outside the five rotation members and closer Armando Benitez, New York has Reed, Weathers, Scott Strickland, and Jeff D'Amico (kicked from the rotation by Thomson) from the right side, as well as Mark Guthrie and Jaime Cerda from the left. Despite the packed nature of their pitching staff, Middlebrook is a good addition for September or if someone else is injured before roster expansion. He offers even more potential next season when they should have room for him after a number of their pending free agents have departed.

Bobby M. Jones had the unfortunate luck to break into the majors with Colorado. His control in the minors prior to pitching for the Rockies was always questionable, and it disintegrated in Coors. The Mets acquired Jones with Lariel Gonzalez for Masato Yoshii in 2000. He seemed to be partially shaking off his control problems in the minors but they surfaced full-blown during his handful of major league innings. Then last season he experienced shoulder problems that led to surgery, preventing him from pitching most of the year. Upon his return this year, the Mets moved him fully into relief. While at times he's experimented with working from the pen, he's always been a starter. I like the idea of switching him to relief work, and it seemed to work at AAA, but once again when he demonstrated poor control at the major league level. In 17 IP, Jones compiled an 11:11 K:BB while allowing 20 H and 3 HR.

The Mets benefit more from removing him from their roster than the Padres gain by acquiring him. San Diego shouldn't bother re-signing the 30-year-old after the season; Jones seems to have been included in the trade only to clear room on the Mets' roster and possibly to give the Padres some cushion in their bullpen. The Padres also possess the other Bobby (J.) Jones.

New York drafted Reynolds out of Central Missouri State University in the third round of the 2000 draft. After signing, he played for Pittsfield in the Short-Season New York-Pennsylvania League. Last season the Mets' jumped him directly to A+ St. Lucie in the Florida State League. The 22-year-old's skills were generally weak across the board despite splitting his innings between starting and relieving. While his dominance remains below target levels, Reynolds has done much better while repeating the level this season. In 126.1 IP, he's compiled a 70:26 K:BB with 123 H and 10 HR allowed over 20 starts in 22 appearances. Luckily the Padres aren't short minor league pitching. Reynolds might eventually reach the majors as a reliever, but his skills don't currently indicate he'll have much success as a starter above the low minors.

The Expos drafted Bay out of Gonzaga University in the 22nd round of the 2000 draft. New York acquired the 23-year-old this spring with Jimmy Serrano for Lou Collier. Bay's demonstrated promising plate discipline along with developing speed and power. This season in 107 AB at AA Binghamton in the Eastern League, he has 31 H, 4 2B, 2 3B, and 4 HR with a 15:23 BB:K and 13/16 SB% for a .290 BA, .383 OBP, and .477 SLG. Bay remains on track to reach the majors as at least a quality fourth outfielder in 2004 after a full season at AAA in 2003.

Considering the low cost of originally acquiring Bay and limited upside of the other two players New York sent to San Diego, this trade should work out very well for the Mets. I'm a bit surprised that the Padres weren't able to command more for Reed, though there was little reason for them to retain the pending free agent through the end of the year. San Diego also undersold Middlebrook. I think they might have found him quite useful next season when the prospects they attempted to bring to the minors this year are ready for the majors.

Although I had some questions about the deal with the Padres before I looked at the minor leaguers involved, I immediately liked the trade with Colorado from New York's end. Thomson possesses skills noticeable even in Coors field and should step right into the Mets' rotation, providing them with high-quality innings to replace the struggling D'Amico. In 127.1 IP, he's compiled a 76:27 K:BB with 136 H and 21 H allowed for a 4.88 ERA. Additionally, I don't believe the 28-year-old will be eligible for free agency before the end of the 2004 season. Colorado never should have let him leave. I realize they're tied into several immovable high-salary contracts with their other pitchers and Thomson likely would have earned a sizeable raise from the $1.3M he's making this season. However, the Rockies should make a concerted effort to retain pitchers who not only pitch well generally but can also manage Coors field.

Mark Little hasn't demonstrated any skills in his limited major league playing time this season, but he has shown power and speed potential in the past. Regrettably, the 30-year-old really needs to improve his plate discipline before he can take advantage of those other skills. Little will likely remain on the Mets' roster as a back-up outfielder.

The Mets' drafted Stratton out of high school in the 13th round of the 1996 draft. At first he advanced slowly through New York's minor league system but at some point they gave up on his plate discipline and promoted him based on his significant power potential. In 256 AB at AAA Norfolk in the International League this season, the 24-year-old has 63 H, 8 2B, and 20 HR with an 18:84 BB:K and 6/9 SB% for a .246 BA, .305 OBP, and .512 SLG. I expect the Rockies to attempt to bring him up as soon as September and his power will likely look quite good in Coors. However unless he improves his plate discipline, his performance on the road will suffer.

I'll take a look at how Payton and Corey fit on the Rockies roster tomorrow when I cover Colorado's trade with Texas.