In a Wednesday afternoon trade, the New York Mets will acquire depth while the Milwaukee Brewers will shed salary. Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, New York will receive RHP Adrian Houser and OF Tyrone Taylor. The Mets will send RHP Coleman Crow to Milwaukee, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.
David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations, makes deal with his former team by acquiring RHP Adrian Houser and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Brewers for minor-league RHP Coleman Crow. The deal saves the Brewers about $7M. On it, @Ken_Rosenthal and @ByRobertMurray
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 20, 2023
Mets Acquire Depth from Brewers
Per MLB Trade Rumors, Houser projects to make $5.6 million in his final arbitration year. This winter marks Taylor’s first of three arbitration years, and he projects to earn $1.7 million.
On the other side, Crow is a minor league pitcher acquired in June from the Angels for Eduardo Escobar. Crow has yet to make his MLB debut and expects to miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August.
New York has been linked to pitching and outfield depth throughout this offseason. Now, the Mets will acquire depth at both of these holes at a more economical price than if they went the free agency route. Additionally, Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns previously acquired both players during his tenure with the Brewers.
What Houser Provides
Houser, who will be 31 on Opening Day, is a back-of-the-rotation starter with some long-relief experience. Last season, he produced a 4.12 ERA in 23 appearances (21 starts) with above-average walk rates and modest strikeout rates.
Adrian Houser’s two-seam is PURE FILTH. 🤢 #LGM pic.twitter.com/eQJZjYDWpZ
— Grant Purpura (@grant_purpura) December 20, 2023
When at his best, Houser will display good control and generate a lot of ground balls and soft contact. He predominantly relies on his sinker and four-seam fastball while mixing in a slider. With one year of control remaining, Houser is likely a bridge while a few Mets prospects with similar upside finish developing in the upper levels of the minors.
What Taylor Provides
Taylor is a fourth-outfielder type who provides great defense at each outfield spot and intriguing offensive pop. Across all three outfield spots, Taylor has earned 17 Defensive Runs Saved and 14 Outs Above Average.
Coleman Crow was dealt to the Mets in the Eduardo Escobar trade back in June.
Crow, coming off Tommy John, has been flipped for another RHP in Adrian Houser and outfielder Tyrone Taylor.
Houser, 30, has been with the Brewers since 2015. Taylor, 29, has been with the Brewers… https://t.co/OHaPtxnum6 pic.twitter.com/NZrr5wkzho
— Dan Bartels (@DanBartels2) December 20, 2023
Offensively, Taylor struggled last year while missing time with injuries. In 81 games, he produced a .713 OPS and a 91 OPS+ with a poor walk rate. However, the 29-year-old has historically shown decent power (39 home runs since 2021) and average strikeout rates (a career 23.2% strikeout percentage). The Mets will value his solid glove and power potential at an inexpensive price.
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