Mets May Not Be Finished After Trading For Joey Lucchesi

Posted by Schneiderman on January 19th, 2021

The Mets will have a third left-handed option for their rotation this season.

In an effort to create rotation depth, the club acquired Joey Lucchesi from the Padres on Monday as part of a three-team deal that included the Pirates, an industry source confirmed. In the trade, the Mets sent minor leaguer Endy Rodriguez to Pittsburgh, according to MLB.com. The Padres, meanwhile, acquired pitcher Joe Musgrove from the Pirates for four prospects.

Lucchesi, 27, appeared in just three games for the Padres last season. A year earlier he went 10-10 with a 4.18 ERA and 1.222 WHIP in 30 starts for the team.

He spent most of last season at the Padres’ alternate training site, as the team looked at younger pitchers. In his three appearances last season, Lucchesi pitched to a 7.94 ERA.

The move gives the Mets another potential lefty starter, joining David Peterson and Steven Matz, for their rebuilt rotation. Lucchesi’s arrival will make it easier for the Mets to move Seth Lugo back to the bullpen.

As it stands, the Mets have Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, Peterson, Matz, Lucchesi and Lugo as rotation options to begin the season. The Mets are also hopeful Noah Syndergaard will return in June from Tommy John surgery rehab.

Lucchesi has minor league options remaining, so even if he didn’t crack the Mets’ roster in spring training he would provide depth at Triple-A Syracuse. He does not become arbitration eligible until next offseason.

Lucchesi was expendable to the Padres because of their wild offseason spree, which has included the additions of Yu Darvish and Blake Snell to their rotation, in addition to Musgrove.