Mets Add Depth Help In Trade For Anthony Banda From Giants

Image credit: Anthony Banda (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

In the lead up to the July 4 weekend, the Mets and Giants swung a deal trading minor leaguers.

METS RECEIVE
Anthony Banda, LHP
Age: 27 

Banda was once the D-Backs’ No. 1 prospect, but injuries have derailed his career so far, including a Tommy John surgery that cost him most of the 2019 season. He did make it back to the majors with the Rays in 2020 upon returning from the surgery, but his last lengthy stretch of effectiveness was in 2018, the year he was traded from Arizona to the Rays in a three-team deal that also included Steven Souza and Brandon Drury. Banda was designated for assignment last year and is not currently on the 40-man roster. His fastball still can touch the mid 90s, but it isn’t a bat-misser and neither his curve or slider is sharp enough at the moment to keep hitters guessing. Banda has worked as a starter and reliever this year, but he’s not fooling many batters. Lefties are hitting .362/.455/.489 against him, while righthanded hitters have posted a slash line of .297/.359/.542. He’s a depth acquisition for a Mets team that has had plenty of injuries.

 

GIANTS RECEIVE
Will Toffey, 3B
Age: 26

A 2017 fourth-round pick of the A’s out of Vanderbilt, this is Toffey’s second trade. He was sent to the Mets in 2018 with Bobby Wahl in a deal that saw Jeurys Familia head to Oakland. The hope is that Toffey will be a four-position backup bat who can play first, third, left and right field, although his arm is stretched at third and in right. But he’s going to have to hit a lot better to reach that potential. Toffey was hitting .178/.317/.386 for Double-A Binghamton. Drawing walks has generally been his best offensive skill, but against more advanced pitchers, he’s getting less chances to trot to first.