The Mets have traded outfielder Billy McKinney to the Dodgers in exchange for minor league outfielder Carlos Rincon and cash considerations. McKinney had been with the Mets since the team traded for him in late May as it dealt with a slew of injuries in its outfield.
The 26-year-old McKinney hit well for the Mets, primarily because of a good showing of power in his limited time with the team. In 102 plate appearances, he hit .220/.304/.473 with five home runs and a 112 wRC+. But he was the odd man out when J.D. Davis returned from a long stint on the injured list on Friday.
Unsurprisingly, the Mets were dealt another injury very shortly thereafter, as Francisco Lindor hit the injured list with an oblique strain. The two players don’t play the same position, but had the timing been just a bit different, the Mets might have retained McKinney, who was out of options.
As for Rincon, he’s a 23-year-old right-handed hitter who has spent all of 2021 thus far with the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate. In 265 plate appearances, he’s hit .263/.343/.470 with 12 home runs and a couple of stolen bases. In the field, he’s spent the majority of his time in left field but has played some games in right field, as well.