Mets acquire Eric O'Flaherty

The New York Mets announced the acquisition of left-handed reliever Eric O'Flaherty from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for a player to be named later. 

To make room for O'Flaherty on the 25- and 40-man rosters, the Mets designated Alex Torres for assignment.

O'Flaherty was signed to a to a two-year, $7 million deal with the Athletics after coming off Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2013 season. Considering he would not pitch the entire 2014 season coming off the procedure, the A's backloaded his deal, owing him $1.5 million last season and $5.5 million this year. 

The deal appeared to be in the Athletics' favor last season, when O'Flaherty came back to the team on July 4 and worked 20 innings, posting a 2.25 ERA and good 6.8 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 ratios. 

The former Braves setup man has not pitched nearly as well this year, going 21 1/3 innings to a 5.91 ERA with much poorer 6.3 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9 marks. The Athletics designated the lefty for assignment after acquiring Aaron Brooks from Atlanta. 

With the Mets, O'Flaherty will be the left-handed specialist, where Torres was serving. He has been very good against left-handed hitters and this season they hit just .182/.286/.209 in 50 plate appearances against him. For his career, O'Flaherty has allowed just a .199/.266/.263 line against lefties. 

--Devan Fink

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