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.