Mets acquire Gott in trade with Mariners

PHOENIX -- Seeking to improve their bullpen without giving up prime prospects in advance of the Trade Deadline, the Mets completed a unique trade on Monday to acquire right-handed reliever Trevor Gott.

In exchange for Gott, who has held right-handed batters to a .517 OPS this season, the Mets took on right-hander Chris Flexen and the roughly $4 million remaining on his contract, then immediately designated him for assignment to clear 40-man roster space. The Mets also sent left-hander Zach Muckenhirn, whom they had recently DFA’d, to the Mariners.

The deal takes Flexen off Seattle’s books, meaning the Mets agreed to pay his salary in exchange for the rights to Gott.

Mets receive: Trevor Gott, Chris Flexen
Mariners receive: Zach Muckenhirn

Gott, 30, owns a 4.70 ERA in 214 2/3 innings in parts of eight seasons with the Angels, Nationals, Giants, Brewers and Mariners, including a 4.03 ERA with 32 strikeouts over 29 innings this year. His most notable skill is an ability to neutralize right-handed hitters with a four-pitch mix, including a fastball that runs into the mid-90s. Lefties have fared well against Gott, however, tagging him for a 1.059 OPS.

In New York, Gott provides another leverage option for a bullpen that ranks 21st in the Majors in ERA.

Muckenhirn, 28, made his Major League debut on May 3 and pitched six innings over three appearances for the Mets, allowing four runs (6.00 ERA). He proved more successful at Triple-A Syracuse, producing a 0.88 ERA over 30 2/3 innings.

Flexen was drafted by the Mets in the 14th round in 2012 and debuted for New York five years later, but he did not blossom into a viable Major Leaguer until reemerging with the Mariners as a free-agent signing in 2021. Following a pair of strong seasons with Seattle in 2021-22, he struggled this year (7.71 ERA) and was designated for assignment by the Mariners on June 27.