Mets Trade for Adrian Houser, Tyrone Taylor

By Nate Miller

December 21, 2023

The New York Mets have obtained the services of righty Adrian Houser and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Milwaukee Brewers. The trade was announced on Wednesday. The Mets will be sending minor league right-hander Coleman Crow to the Brewers in the exchange. The deal comes just days before the Christmas holiday as both teams look to improve their rosters heading into the 2024 season.

Added Pitching Depth

“We are excited to add Adrian and Tyrone to our team,” Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns said in a team press release. “Tyrone brings a well-rounded skillset to our outfield grouping and can play all three outfield positions at a high level. Adrian is a proven Major League starter who continues to add to our rotation depth and will pitch valuable innings for us this year.”

Aside from a somewhat inflated ERA of 4.12, Houser had a respectable season for the Brewers in 2023. He finished with an 8–5 record with 96 strikeouts in 23 games. Houser started 21 of those games for the Brewers. He posted a 3.99 FIP and the Brewers went 14–7 in his starts. The 6-3, 241-pounder posted career-highs in wins (10), starts (26), and innings (142 1/3) with a 3.22 ERA in 2021. In 129 major league games (97 starts), Houser has gone 31–34 with a 4.00 ERA. He has held right-handers to a .227 batting average. Houser is a member of the Cherokee Nation and is a cousin of former major-league catcher Bob Davis.

Outfield Versatility

As for Tyrone Taylor, he had his moments at the plate last season. The 29-year-old hit 17 doubles, one triple, and 10 home runs while slashing .234/.267/.446 in 81 games last season. He slugged a two-run homer off Brandon Pfaadt in Game One of the NL Wild Card Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Taylor has appeared in 130 games in right field, 120 games in center field, and 80 games in left field. He has never committed an error and his 508 errorless total chances to begin a career are the most by an outfielder since Jacoby Ellsbury had 554 errorless chances from 2007–2009. Taylor also has 41 home runs, 53 doubles, seven triples, 136 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and 125 runs in 331 games during parts of five seasons with the Brewers.

What Crow Brings to the Brew Crew

Coleman Crow has gone 15–6 with a 4.33 ERA during three minor league seasons with the Mets and Los Angeles Angels. He was acquired by the Mets on June 24, 2023 as part of the Eduardo Escobar trade.