Recapping Mets, Yankees Trade Deadline Deals

The Mets and Yankees were among the more active teams in Monday's MLB non-waiver trade deadline and the moves they made reflect each team's expectations for the remainder of 2016: the Yankees are looking to the future while the Mets are fighting to stay in this year's playoff race.

Sander Alderson made two moves on Monday afternoon to try and push the Mets toward a playoff birth - acquiring a big outfield bat, long-time Cincinnati slugger Jay Bruce, and re-acquiring pitcher Jonathon Niese.

Bruce is the National League leader in RBIs (80) and Alderson hopes he can inject some much needed offense into a sagging lineup that has been devastated by injuries. In exchange, the Mets sent Cincy two prospects: infielder Dilson Herrera and Max Wotell. The move does bring in offense, but is being called curious by some as it leaves the Mets with a logjam in the outfield. Bruce joins an outfield that currently includes Yoenis Cespedes, Curtis Granderson, Michael Conforto, Juan Lagares, Alejandro De Aza and 23-year-old prospect Brandon Nimmo. It was initially reported the Nimmo was part of the Bruce package, but he'll now likely be sent back to the minors to continue his development.

Niese spent the first eight years of his career with the Mets, almost entirely as a starting pitcher. He's now back with the club, but will likely be coming out the bullpen. Alderson sent Pittsburgh reliever Antonio Bastardo to complete that deal.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are headed in the opposite direction. Their selloff of talent continued Monday with a deal that shipped their best hitter, Carlos Beltran, to the Texas Rangers for a highly touted pitching prospect. Dillon Tate, 22, is right-hander who was taken as the fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft. Reports say the Yanks will also get Erik Swanson and Nick Green from the Rangers.

Additionally, Brian Cashman shipped Ivan Nova to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 'players to be named' later.

The Yankees recently parted ways with two of this year's most sought after relievers, Aroldis Chapman (to the Cubs) and Andrew Miller (Cleveland). The same day Cashman made the Miller-deal, he made another move with the Arizona Diamondback to acquire ex-Mets and Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard.