In Need of More Depth, Mets Acquire Veteran Conine From Reds
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
CINCINNATI —The Mets got Jeff Conine from the Cincinnati Reds for two minor leaguers yesterday, adding a 41-year-old player who has two World Series rings and knows how to contribute off the bench.
Conine can play first base or outfield and is adept at pinch-hitting — he led the Reds with nine hits in that role. Conine is batting .265 overall with six homers and 32 RBIs.
“We’ve had our eyes on him for a while,” Mets general manager Omar Minaya said.
The move came one day after the Mets put infielder Damion Easley on the 15-day disabled list with a severely sprained left ankle, the latest blow to the NL East leaders.
Easley is expected to miss at least a month, Minaya said. He added the Mets probably would not have made the trade if Easley had not been injured.
Conine won World Series titles with Florida in 1997 and 2003, proving himself adept at hitting in the clutch. He plans to retire after this season, and was delighted to spend the final months in contention.
“My initial thought is: First place,” Conine said, standing in front of his locker in the Reds clubhouse minutes after he was informed of the trade. “I get to go back to another pennant race.”
The Reds acquired 20-year-old shortstop Jose Castro and 22-year-old outfielder Sean Henry, who were playing for Class A Port St. Lucie. They plan to call up infielder/outfielder Jorge Cantu from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday to take Conine’s roster spot. The Reds acquired the 25-year-old Cantu from Tampa Bay on July 28 in a swap of minor leaguers. Cantu hit .309 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 24 games at Louisville.
Cincinnati got Conine from Philadelphia last December for a pair of minor leaguers, trying to bolster their bench and provide leadership. Conine decided this season would be his last, no matter how it finished.
He hasn’t changed his mind.
“I think this is it,” he said. “I can’t think of a better way to go out than doing it in the playoffs in New York.”
The Mets were off yesterday. Conine had a flight to New York on Monday night and expected to be with the team for the start of a series against San Diego on Tuesday. At the time of the trade, the Mets had the best winning percentage in the NL and led their division by five games.
