Juan Uribe, Kelly Johnson to Mets: Latest Trade Details, Comments, Reaction

The Atlanta Braves have traded Juan Uribe, Kelly Johnson and cash considerations to the New York Mets for John Gant and Rob Whalen, the Braves announced. The New York Post's Joel Sherman initially reported the deal.

According to ESPN.com's Adam Rubin, Johnson and Uribe are making $8 million combined this season, with approximately $3.15 million in total remaining on their deals. Furthermore, both Johnson and Uribe are slated to become unrestricted free agents following the 2015 season.

The Mets positioned themselves as buyers at 49-47 entering Friday night, and they desperately needed extra bats to try to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Following Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mets ranked dead last in the National League in runs scored (329), batting average (.233), hits (750) and OPS (.654).

With Uribe and Johnson in tow, the Mets have added two veterans who are capable of stabilizing the offense just a bit as the team seeks to make a late-season push for the postseason.

So far this year, the 36-year-old Uribe is batting .272 with eight home runs and 23 RBI. Johnson, meanwhile, is batting .275—his best mark since 2010—and has tallied nine home runs to go with 34 RBI. 

And as CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman pointed out, Uribe's ability to play multiple positions makes him a logical fit with the Mets:

Sherman added that Uribe's 15 years of MLB experience will also aid the Mets:

"I think we have a responsibility to fans to do as much as we possibly can to try to improve the team," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Thursday, according to NJ Advance Media's Mike Vorkunov.

While the Braves are hovering at five games under .500 entering Friday evening, they capitalized on the expiring deals of two veteran bats to bolster their stockpile of pitchers. 

Gant, a 2011 21st-round pick, is a right-handed arm who's 6-5 with a 3.72 ERA over the course of 17 starts in Single-A and Double-A ball this season. Whalen, whom New York selected in the 12th round of the 2012 draft, has posted a 4-5 record and 3.36 ERA with the St. Lucie Mets this season.

For the Mets, the move is a low-risk, high-reward play that boosts their playoff chances.

And even if things fall flat, both players will be coming off the books next season, so the deal won't hamper the team's long-term financial flexibility.