Jake Marisnick Trade: Mets Acquire Outfield Help From Houston For 2 Prospects

Image credit: Jake Marisnick (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

One offseason after acquiring infielder J.D Davis from Houston, the Mets struck another deal with the Astros on Thursday.

New York was able to check off one of their offseason needs, adding the defensive-minded outfielder Jake Marisnick in exchange for OF Kenedy Corona and LHP Blake Taylor.




METS ACQUIRE:



Jake Marisnick, OF

Age: 28

In Marisnick, the Mets now have a righthanded bat as a possible center field platoon option, a position of weakness both in the major leagues and upper minors. Marisnick has never gained much traction offensively, posting an OPS+ below 100 every season except for 2017, when he hit a career-high 16 homers in 230 at-bats. He produced a .710 OPS against lefthanders this year. Marisnick is a near-elite defender with excellent closing speed and a solid throwing arm, posting a defensive runs saved total of +5 this season. He has shown feel to steal bases, swiping as many as 24 bags in a season. Once a top prospect—he ranked No. 79 in our Top 100 entering 2014—Marisnick is well-traveled since the Blue Jays drafted him in the third round in 2009. He was traded to Miami in a 12-player 2012 blockbuster that sent Mark Buehrle and Jose Reyes to the Blue Jays, then dealt again to Houston in 2014 as part of a seven-player deal.

ASTROS ACQUIRE:



Blake Taylor, LHP

Age: 24



A second rounder in the 2013 draft, Taylor was traded to the Mets as the player to be named later in the package for first baseman Ike Davis in 2014. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015 and missed much of the 2016 season. While initially returning to his role as a starter, Taylor was converted to a reliever this season and found more success. After pitching well in the Florida State League, he posted a 1.85 ERA in 39 innings for Double-A Binghamton before making one appearance for Triple-A Syracuse. The lefthander continued his fine season with Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League, striking out 11 batters in nine innings. Taylor’s mid-90s fastball and high spin rate on his breaking ball make him an interesting option for the Astros bullpen this upcoming season.




Kenedy Corona, OF

Age: 19



The Venezuelan outfielder was training in the Dominican Republic and signed for $10,000 this season just before the Dominican Summer League began. He hit .292/.382/.462 in 65 at-bats against DSL pitching before being promoted to the Gulf Coast League. Corona continued his hot hitting, smacking five homers and posting a .400 OBP in 151 at-bats before receiving another promotion to short-season Brooklyn, where he finished the season. Corona is athletic and plays the game hard, showing the ability to play the outfield with some polish at a young age.