In a move aimed at bolstering their struggling pitching staff, the New York Mets have sent left-handed pitcher Zach Muckenhirn to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for right-handers Chris Flexen and Trevor Gott.
The trade, which was reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, involves two players who were recently designated for assignment.
Chris Flexen, 29, has struggled significantly during the 2023 season, posting a discouraging 7.71 ERA with 19 walks and 11 home runs allowed in 42 innings.
This year, Flexen made four starts and 13 relief appearances for the Mariners after returning from a successful stint in the Korean major leagues. Although he performed reasonably well as a fixture in the Mariners’ rotation in 2021 and 2022, his performance took a nosedive this year.
Andy Martino of SNY reports that the Mets plan to designate Flexen for assignment rather than including him on the roster.
Trevor Gott, a seasoned reliever, recently returned from the injured list. The 30-year-old has maintained an ERA of 4.03 for this season, and throughout his eight-year MLB career, he has achieved an ERA+ of 87.
On the other side of the deal, the Mariners acquire 28-year-old Zach Muckenhirn, who made his major league debut this season with the Mets. Muckenhirn showcased potential but struggled, posting a 6.00 ERA and a 1.50 K/BB ratio in six innings of work.
While this trade may not be considered a major blockbuster, it signifies increased activity as the approaching August 1st trade deadline looms.
Both the Mets and Mariners find themselves at a crossroads, as they entered the 2023 season with high expectations after making the postseason in 2022. However, both teams have fallen below the .500 mark and are currently far from playoff contention.
As the trade deadline approaches, it remains to be seen how these moves will impact the Mets and Mariners and what additional deals might be in store for both organizations.