The New York Mets continue to load up on experienced arms.
Andy Martino of SportsNet New York reported on Friday that the Mets are trading for reliever Ryne Stanek in a deal with the Seattle Mariners. Minor league outfielder Rhylan Thomas is going back to Seattle as part of the trade.
Stanek, 33, is a seasoned right-hander who has eight seasons of big league experience. In 46 relief appearances for the Mariners this season, he has gone 6-3 with a 4.38 ERA and 44 strikeouts. Stanek usually pitches in a setup role but also logged seven saves for Seattle this year.
Having been blessed by the grace of Grimace, the Mets currently sit at 54-48, which has them as the second NL wild card in a hotly contested race. Stanek, who was a key reliever for the Houston Astros during their 2022 World Series-winning season, will solidify the Mets’ bullpen for the stretch run. He also becomes the second pitcher from that 2022 Astros team that the Mets have acquired this month.