Yoenis Cespedes (52) should help boost the Mets anemic offense. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets found a way to bolster their offense Friday, acquiring left fielder Yoenis Cespedes from the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers received Double-A right-hander Michael Fulmer and Triple-A right-hander Luis Cessa in return.
The Mets, who rank last in the majors in runs scored, had been looking for help on offense and had backed out of a trade for Milwaukee slugger Carlos Gomez earlier in the week.
Cespedes, 29, is hitting .293 with 18 homers and has hit four home runs in his past six games. He joins infielders Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe, acquired from the Atlanta Braves a week ago, as the Mets try to improve their offense.
Cespedes will arrive just in time to help the Mets in a crucial series against the Washington Nationals. The Mets (52-50) were three games behind the Nationals in the National League East before they played Friday.
The Mets will be Cespedes’ fourth team in the past year: The Oakland Athletics traded him to the Boston Red Sox last July, and Boston sent him to Detroit in the offseason. He will be a free agent after this season.
The Tigers’ trade of Cespedes follows their deal that sent pitcher David Price to the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the week.
Fulmer, 22, has a 2.03 ERA with 92 strikeouts in the minors this season. Cessa, 23, has a 3.98 ERA with 85 strikeouts.
