Mets add outfield depth in Maybin trade

The Mets made a move to bolster their organizational outfield depth on Tuesday, acquiring veteran Cameron Maybin from the Cubs for cash considerations and assigning him to Triple-A Syracuse.

The trade comes as the Mets try to fight their way through an avalanche of injuries. The latest setback came in frightening fashion on Monday, when outfielder Kevin Pillar was struck in the face by a pitch and sustained nasal fractures. Fellow outfielders Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Albert Almora Jr. and José Martínez already were on the injured list, not to mention infielders Jeff McNeil, J.D. Davis and Luis Guillorme (the first two of whom also have outfield experience).

With Pillar now sidelined as well, the Mets are down to Dominic Smith and rookies Khalil Lee and Johneshwy Fargas as active outfielders. Both Lee and Fargas made their MLB debuts on Monday.

Maybin, on the other hand, brings a great deal of experience to the organization. If he's called up, the 14-year veteran, who has tallied 1,153 career games across all three outfield positions, would be playing for his 10th MLB team. The 34-year-old had not appeared in the Majors yet in 2021, but he was at Triple-A Iowa in the Cubs organization, playing 10 games and batting .103. He split the 2020 season between the Tigers and Cubs, batting .247/.307/.387 with one home run, seven RBIs and three stolen bases in 101 plate appearances.