The New York Mets couldn't ask for much more from Tyler Naquin. The Cincinnati Reds dealt the outfielder to Queens a few days before the trade deadline and all Naquin has done is rake since arriving at Citi Field.
Naquin was part of a three-player deal that saw the Reds land two lower-tier prospects from the Mets. Right-handed pitcher Jose Acuña is now playing for the Daytona Tortugas, Cincinnati's Low-A affiliate, while infielder Hector Rodriguez is getting some work at the Reds complex in Arizona.
Acuña has pitched twice since coming over from the Mets organization and has fared quite well. The 19-year-old has pitched in nine innings and has yet to allow an earned run while striking out 10 batters.
Former Reds OF Tyler Naquin has been fantastic since joining the Mets.
Tyler Naquin was one of the most obvious trade candidates for the Cincinnati Reds as the deadline inched closer and closer. In the final year of his arbitration window, if the Reds wanted to keep Naquin beyond 2022, they'd have to sign him to a long-term deal.
With so many young, up-and-coming outfielders in the Reds farm system, it made little sense for Cincinnati to hang on to the 31-year-old. Naquin had been dealing with a quad injury earlier in the season, but recovered quickly and was back in David Bell's lineup for a couple of weeks before being dealt.
Naquin brings a power left-handed bat to the New York Mets lineup. Along with Daniel Vogelbach, Naquin was one of the few upgrades New York made at the trade deadline. However, seeing as how the former Reds outfielder is absolutely raking, the early results looks pretty good for the Mets.
Tyler Naquin is hitting .348 with a 1.078 OPS and four extra-base hits in eight games with the Mets. Two of those four extra-base hits are homers. Naquin has also recorded a triple during his time in New York as well.
There will surely be hugs during the pregame festivities this evening, and maybe Naquin and some of his former teammates will take in dinner after the contest. Here's wishing Tyler Naquin well with his new squad who opened up a sizable lead in the NL East after bludgeoning the Atlanta Braves over the weekend.