New York Mets acquire former SF Giants closer in trade with Mariners
The New York Mets have acquired a pair of right-handed relievers in a trade with the Seattle Mariners on Monday. According to a report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Mets traded left-handed reliever Zach Muckenhirn to the Mariners for Chris Flexen and Trevor Gott. Gott, of course, was in the SF Giants organization from 2019-2021, briefly serving as the team's closer. The Mets plan to designate Flexen for assignment, per Andy Martino, effectively making him a salary dump for Seattle.
Gott has made 30 appearances with the Mariners this season and has been a quality middle reliever. He has struck out 32 hitters while issuing just eight walks in 29 innings pitched with a 4.03 ERA (3.01 FIP). Gott is also under team control for an additional season through arbitration.
Flexen, on the other hand, has been far less effective than Gott. The 28-year-old righty has a 7.71 ERA (6.67 FIP) in 42 innings pitched as a swingman with only 29 strikeouts and 19 walks. Flexen actually started his career with the Mets, but did not stick in the majors until he found a role with Seattle in 2021. From 2021-2022, Flexen was much more effective and had a 3.66 ERA (4.15 FIP) in 317.1 innings (64 appearances). While he will likely be unclaimed on waivers, Flexen is under team control via arbitration through 2026.
The Mets had already designated Muckenhirn for assignment, making it likely that they would lose him off waivers in the next week anyway. A 28-year-old southpaw, Muckenhirn made his big-league debut with the Mets this season and allowed four runs on 11 hits and two walks in six innings pitched with three strikeouts. He has been much more effective in the minors, though, posting an 0.88 ERA in 30.2 innings at Triple-A.
Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Gott delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins. (2022)
Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants acquired Gott from the Washington Nationals for cash considerations prior to the 2019 season. In his lone full season with the Giants, Gott was one of the team's most consistent setup arms. He finished the season with a 4.44 ERA in 50 games with 57 strikeouts and 17 walks.
Heading into 2020, Gott was expected to be the Giants closer, but struggled in the highest-stress role in the bullpen. Gott recorded four saves in his first nine appearances but blew three leads and had a 14.73 ERA. After a few more rough outings, he was designated for assignment and eventually outrighted to Triple-A.
Gott spent the entire 2021 season with the Giants Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento and seemed to begin putting things back together again. After signing a minor-league contract with the Brewers, he found his way back to the majors last year and recorded a 4.14 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 12 walks in 45 appearances.
Despite his solid production, Gott was non-tendered by Milwaukee last offseason and eventually inked a one-year deal with Seattle. Now, he will look to help stabilize the bullpen of the Mets, who have struggled to hold onto leads all season long. In their most recent series, the SF Giants pulled off an unlikely comeback against the Mets pen.
