The Oakland Athletics entered July with the intention of buying at this year’s trade deadline. On Saturday, they made their first big move with the acquisition of New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia.
Source: #Mets are getting 2 prospects Wahl and Toffey and international slot money for Familia
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 21, 2018
The 28-year-old has been sharp this season in New York’s bullpen. Across 40.2 innings pitched, Familia has a 2.88 ERA, 43 strikeouts and 17 saves in 21 opportunities.
Oakland’s duo of Lou Trevino and Blake Treinen was already one of the best back-end tandems in baseball. As Oakland’s closer, Treinen has a 0.94 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 24 saves in 48 innings. Meanwhile, Trivino has a 1.22 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 50 strikeouts in 44.1 innings.
Familia is unlikely to serve as Oakland’s closer, but he should share set-up duties with Trivino. Following the trade, the Athletics will have three high-end relievers to cover the final three innings of the game.
Now that Oakland has solidified its bullpen, the front office could look to improve its starting rotation. While Oakland may have the lowest payroll in the majors, they are a playoff-caliber team that just got better. President Billy Beane has also noted that he’s willing to make big moves should the A’s remain in contention.
In return for trading its closer, New York will receive third base prospect Will Toffey and 26-year-old relief pitcher Bobby Wahl.
For his part, MLB.com has Toffey as Oakland’s 17th-best prospect. A fourth-round pick of the A’s back in 2017, the 23-year-old Toffey is hitting .234 with five homers and 32 RBI at high Single-A Stockton this season.
Wahl had a cup of coffee with the A’s last season, pitching to a 4.70 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in seven appearances. He’s posted a 3-2 mark with a 2.27 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 11 saves in Triple-A Sacramento. He figures to immediately head to the Mets’ big league club.