According to multiple reports around the MLB, the New York Mets are close to acquiring former Dodgers third baseman and Juan Uribe from the Atlanta Braves. The framework of the deal as it stands would also include Atlanta utility man Kelly Johnson in exchange for pitching prospects John Grant and Rob Whalen from the minors.
Ironically, the Mets are in the midst of a four-game series with Uribe's former team the Los Angeles Dodgers who celebrated "Juan Uribe Bobblehead Night," on July 11th, just days before the All-Star Game. If the trade goes through on Friday night as it's expected to, Uribe could in a Mets uniform on Saturday, once again facing his former team.
The Dodgers have nightmares after finishing a three-game series in Atlanta in which they lost two out of three games. Uribe knocked in the go-ahead run in each of the first two games before striking out with the tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth in the finale on Wednesday.
Uribe, 36, was traded from the Dodgers to the Braves in late-May and has batted .272 with both teams this season. He has eight home runs on the year and would immediately be inserted into a starting role at third base with the Mets as they await the return of David Wright from the disabled list.
The Mets are in dire need of offensive help after being shutout by Clayton Kershaw on Thursday. New York has struggled scoring runs after the All-Star break with multiple starters on the disabled list.
On Friday, the Mets promoted No. 3 prospect Michael Conforto from Double-A Binghamton, bypassing Triple-A and starting in left field for the Mets against the Dodgers.
Johnson, 33, is hitting .275 with nine home runs in 62 games for the Braves this season. He is a valuable asset on defensive has he plays five different positions.
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Uribe and Johnson are making a combined $8 million in 2015, and are both free agents at the end of the year.
