METS REPLACE PIAZZA WITH LO DUCA
The New York Mets acquired catcher Paul Lo Duca from the Florida Marlins for pitcher Gaby Hernandez and outfielder Dante Brinkley.
What does it give the New York Mets
Though Mike Piazza is almost inarguably the greatest offensive catcher of all-time, Lo Duca gives the Mets a better and healthier defensive catcher, to go with an all-star bat. Though he hasn't been as good at catching base-stealers as he was earlier in his career, he's great at working with pitchers and calling games. At the plate, there's hardly a pitch on which he can't make contact and though he doesn't nearly have Piazza's power, he has shown a flare for driving in runs.
What does it give the Florida Marlins
The Fish continue to stock up on young pitching and, at 19, it doesn't get much younger than Hernandez. The second of the Mets' top three pitching prospects to be traded to the Marlins (along with Yusmeiro Petit, acquired earlier this fall), Hernandez has good size, which he puts behind a nasty sinking fastball and tight curve. He has the command and poise of a candidate to be rushed to the majors in a year or two.
Fantasy impact
