Mets reacquire Kelly Johnson in trade with Braves

The Mets have acquired Kelly Johnson from the Braves in exchange for minor league relief pitcher Akeel Morris. Both of these names should already be familiar to Mets fans.

Johnson came over in a trade last year along with Juan Uribe in exchange for John Gant and Rob Whalen. In 49 games with the Mets in 2015, Johnson batted .250/.304/.414 and drove in 13 runs. He also had a memorable game-tying pinch-hit home run off Stephen Strasburg in the game that Yoenis Cespedes won with a home run off Drew Storen.

So far in 2016 it has been a struggle for Johnson. He hit just .215/.273/.289 with one home run in 49 games with the Braves. He brings his versatility to the Mets again since he can play all over the infield and in the corner outfield, as well. Last year he played every position in the infield, including one game at shortstop the day after the Mets clinched the pennant.

Akeel Morris is a right-handed relief pitcher that we had ranked as the Mets' number 22 prospect coming into this season. In Binghamton this year, Morris had a 2-2 record and a 4.62 ERA. In 25.1 innings, he struck out 36 batters but walked 16.

Morris had a whirlwind week last year when he was promoted to the big league club from High-A St. Lucie for one day. He pitched one disastrous inning against the Blue Jays but then was sent to Binghamton, which was where he finished last season and started this one.

With the injuries piling up, the Mets desperately needed major league quality depth, and Johnson provides that.