New York Mets Strengthen Bullpen by Acquiring Another from Tampa Bay Rays Star
The New York Mets have traded for reliever Phil Maton from the Tampa Bay Rays to improve their struggling bullpen. In return, the Mets will send either a player to be named later or cash to the Rays.
Maton, who had a 4.58 ERA with two saves in 40 appearances for Tampa Bay this season, has recently shown improvement. He recorded 30 strikeouts and 18 walks over 35 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old right-hander is expected to join the Mets by Wednesday or Thursday, according to the team’s president of baseball operations, David Stearns, ahead of their series against Washington.
Stearns mentioned that the Mets had been looking at bullpen options for several weeks and had identified Maton as a target during the offseason. Despite a tough start this year, Maton has adjusted his approach, throwing more strikes and effectively using his pitches. In his last 12 innings over 11 appearances, he allowed just one earned run, and in his last eight games, opponents managed only three hits in 29 at-bats.
Maton’s addition provides the Mets with a seasoned pitcher to support their fatigued bullpen, which has been hit by injuries to veterans like Brooks Raley and Drew Smith, both out for the season with elbow injuries. Other pitchers, including Sean Reid-Foley and Shintaro Fujinami, are recovering from shoulder issues and are expected to return soon.
Earlier, the Mets acquired left-handed reliever Matt Gage from the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash and assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse. The trade for Maton comes ahead of the July 30 trade deadline in Major League Baseball.
Stearns stated that the Mets would continue to explore options and evaluate their team in the coming weeks. The Mets have blown 16 out of 37 save opportunities this season, and their bullpen has struggled with an 8.16 ERA over the last 14 games. Due to injuries and other roster moves, only three of the original eight relievers from the start of the season are currently active.
Star closer Edwin Díaz was on the injured list from May 29 to June 11 due to a right shoulder issue and recently returned from a suspension related to the use of sticky substances in baseball.
Stearns explained that the team has faced challenges due to injuries, workload issues, and some players struggling, prompting the need for reinforcements.
The Mets began the day just below a .500 winning percentage but are only 2 1/2 games behind a playoff spot in the National League. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is two games under .500 and 5 1/2 games out of the final American League wild card spot.
Maton brings eight seasons of major league experience, with a 17-14 record, a 4.28 ERA, and four saves across 384 games with San Diego, Cleveland, Houston, and Tampa Bay. He signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Rays in February, which includes a club option for 2025 worth $7.75 million with a $250,000 buyout.
Erik Neander, the Rays’ president of baseball operations, explained that trading Maton would open up a spot in Tampa Bay’s bullpen for minor leaguer Manuel Rodríguez, who had a strong showing earlier in the season with a 2.79 ERA over nine appearances.
To add Maton to the Mets’ 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Joey Lucchesi was designated for assignment. Lucchesi had made one start in the majors this year and was pitching for Triple-A.
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