Mets Swing Big Trade With Mariners To Add Pair Of Relievers For Playoff Run
The New York Mets are not going down without a fight after swinging the first notable trade of the summer.
"The Mets have acquired Chris Flexen and Trevor Gott from the (Seattle) Mariners for lefty Zach Muckenhirn," The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal tweeted Monday.
Gott is the best proven player in the deal, posting a 4.03 ERA with a 32-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .277 batting average against and 1.41 WHIP in 29 innings this season. He's the definition of league average with a 101 ERA+, which the Mets could use after many embarrassing late-game blown saves this season.
Flexen is more of a throw-in with potential. He has a 7.71 ERA in 42 innings this season but has been a reliable arm in the recent past. The 29-year-old righty posted a 3.66 ERA with a 220-to-91 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .260 batting average against, 1.28 WHIP and 108 ERA+ in 317 1/3 innings over the last two seasons. 53 of those 64 appearances were starts but he's spent most of the 2023 season in the bullpen.
The move aids a lackluster pitching staff in the present and in the future. Gott is under team control through 2024 and Flexen through 2026.
While the Mets' big league roster has some more dependability on the staff post-trade, it might have made more sense to call up Muckenhirn instead of using his peak value to trade him.
The 28-year-old hurler posted a 0.88 ERA with a 19-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .198 batting average against and 1.11 WHIP in 30 2/3 innings for Triple-A Syracuse.
The Mets must not have found his success sustainable and cashed in on a pair of hurlers who can help the club right now.
New York currently is eight games back of a Wild Card spot and will need a dramatic turnaround for the front office to continue to invest in the club.
Update: The Mets are designating Flexen for assignment. This is an example of Steve Cohen taking on a notable salary ($8 million) so Seattle has more funds. In exchange, the Mets give up a lesser prospect in the trade. Flexen still could remain in the Mets organization should he clear waivers -- he almost certainly will given his contract.
