Mets Morning News: Mets trade for Neil Walker, sign Asdrubal Cabrera

Meet the Mets

The Mets made a trade with the Pirates, sending Jon Niese to Pittsburgh in exchange for second baseman Neil Walker. Walker hit .269/.328/.427 in the 2015 season and will be a free agent after the 2016 season.

The Mets also signed veteran shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to a two-year deal worth $18.5 million. Cabrera, who spent 2015 with the Rays, hit .265/.315/.430.

After trading Niese, the Mets are reportedly looking to bring back Bartolo Colon. Colon would likely occupy the fifth spot in the rotation until Zack Wheeler returns from elbow surgery, and then h would pitch in relief and make spot starts.

Around the NL East

The Phillies traded closer Ken Giles to the Astros. In return, they received pitchers Vince Velasquez and Brett Oberholtzer, outfielder Brian Fisher, and an unknown fourth player.

After sending Shelby Miller to Arizona, the Braves do not plan to trade any more of their starting pitchers. The team has been the subject of rumors involving Julio Teheran.

A report says that the Nationals have signed Yusmeiro Petit to a one-year deal. Petit has spent the past four years with the Giants. He had a 3.47 ERA over 76 innings in 2015.

Around MLB

The Reds are reportedly shopping Todd Frazier "heavily." The 29-year-old third baseman hit 35 home runs in 2015 for incinnati.

The White Sox acquired Brett Lawrie from the Athletics. Minor league pitchers Zachary Erwin and J.B. Wendelken were sent to Oakland.

The Yankees sent reliever Justin Wilson to the Tigers in exchange for minor leaguers Luis Cessa and Chad Green. Cessa was in the Mets system, before being involved in the deal that brought Yoenis Cespedes to the Mets.

The Blue Jays re-signed Darwin Barney to a one-year deal. In 2015, he batted just .246/.294/.339, but played strong defense.

Johnny Cueto's agent is reportedly pushing his client towards the Cardinals. St. Louis is in the market for a top-of-the-rotation starter after missing on David Price.

Yesterday at AA

Before the trade for Walker, and the signing of Cabrera, Chris McShane examined where the Mets could look for second base help after missing out on Ben Zobrist.

Matt Varvaro wrote part two of the Mets' most extreme home runs of 2015.

This Date in Mets History

Three huge trades in Mets history have taken place on this date. In 1971, the Mets sent Nolan Ryan, Leroy Stanton, Francisco Estrada, and Don Rose to the  Angels for Jim Fregosi. In 1984, the Mets acquired Gary Carter from the Expos in exchange for Hubie Brooks, Mike Fitzgerald, Herm Winningham, and Floyd Youmans. And in 2008, the Mets were involved in a three team trade, receving JJ Putz, Shawn Green, and Jeremy Reed, while dealing Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Jason Vargas, Mike Carp, Ezequiel Carrera, and Maikel Cleto.