The New York Mets have acquired 21-year-old shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The trade, announced Monday, also saw the Mets send pitcher Luke Weaver and approximately $6.5 million to Pittsburgh to cover a portion of Weaver's contract.
Stafura, who was rated as the No. 9 prospect in the Pirates organization, represents the second-highest rated prospect the Mets have obtained in a series of trades leading up to Monday's deadline. Earlier in the week, the Mets acquired infielder Jefferson Rojas, who was ranked as the Cubs' No. 2 prospect.
Stafura's development was influenced by his passion for the Mets, even during his high school days at Walter Panas High in Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. His high school coach, Anthony Fata, recalled how Stafura's attention would sometimes be split between baseball practices and following the Mets' season opener.
"He would get all excited for the Mets and we would be in the dugout with our phones following who is doing what," Fata said. "There were more Yankees fans than Mets fans on the team, but Sammy stood tall as a Mets fan and we really had fun with it."
The trade brings the lifelong Mets fan into the organization he grew up supporting. Stafura's current contract with the Pirates extends through the next season.