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Fernando Salas, the last remaining player from the Jerry Dipoto deal that sent away Peter Bourjos and Randal Grichuk (and also gave the Angels David Freese), is an Angel no more. It was just announced that Salas, who in the face of recent injuries had become the de facto closer, has been dealt to the New York Mets, in exchange for minor leaguer Erik Manoah.
#Mets have announced they've acquired Fernando Salas, exchange is Erik Manoah to #Angels
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) September 1, 2016
I didn't see that coming, probably because A) I never really thought another team would actively be seeking out Fernando Salas and B) the Angels have actually been depending on him a lot to finish out the season, what with Joe Smith traded away and both Huston Street and Cam Bedrosian injured and done for the season (well, Cam could still be back if he doesn't undergo surgery for his bloodclot).
Salas was never quite the dominant relief arm, and was currently sitting on a 4.46 ERA and 1.260 WHIP for the 2016 season, but he was also 4 for 4 in his recent save opportunities, and while he was quite reviled at times, he also had his moments of competency.
So who are the Halos getting in return? Manoah is a 20 year old prospect who isn't listed as a top 30 prospect for the Mets, but here's what Taylor Ward of Scout.com had to say:
Erik Manoah is mid-range A-Ball prospect, FB sits 89-94 w/ decent CV; 13th-rounder prep pick from 2014, 5.37 ERA in Low-A this year #Angels
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) September 1, 2016
Fernando Salas was a free agent after this season, so the Halos just flipped him to a contender for a young prospect, and yet another Dipoto pickup has been cast away.