Mets Acquire RHPs Trevor Gott, Chris Flexen From Mariners
Chris Flexen
Shortly after designating left-handed pitcher Zach Muckenhirn for assignment, the New York Mets have traded him to the Seattle Mariners. The return is Trevor Gott and former Mets pitcher Chris Flexen. Seattle previously designated Flexen for assignment. According to The New York Post’s Joel Sherman, the Mets will immediately designate Flexen for assignment.
Gott, 30, was activated from the injured list on June 27 after missing three weeks with lower back spasms. In 2023, he has a 4.03 ERA across 29 innings with a .277/.333/.403 slash line. For his career, Gott has a 4.70 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 214.2 innings over parts of eight seasons.
Flexen, 29, was the Mets’ 14th-round pick back in 2012. He made his major league debut with them in 2017 and appeared in 27 games over the course of 2017-19. He had an 8.07 ERA with the Mets during that time. Per Sherman, that is the worst ERA in Mets franchise history for any pitcher who threw at least 50 innings.
Flexen had a career rejuvenation in 2021 with Seattle after spending 2020 in Korea. He went 14-6 with a 3.61 ERA across 179 2/3 innings. Last season, he lost his rotation spot after Seattle acquired Luis Castillo at the trade deadline, and the wheels fell off for him from there. After his $8 million option vested for 2023, Flexen has posted a 7.71 ERA across 17 appearances (four starts) and 42 innings. Opponents are slashing .333/.398/.542 (.940 OPS) against him this season.
The Mets agreed to pick up the prorated portion of Flexen’s contract, which is about $4 million, per Sherman. However, he is out of minor league options, so the Mets chose to designate him for assignment immediately. That would indicate that Gott was the target of the trade. Still, the Mets may intend to send Flexen to Triple-A if and when he clears waivers for additional rotation and long relief insurance. However, since Flexen’s contract includes language that he cannot be sent to Triple-A, he would need to agree to be optioned.
Muckenhirn lost his 40-man roster spot when the Mets activated Elieser Hernandez from the 60-day injured list today. He appeared in three games for the Mets and gave up four earned runs on 11 hits over six innings, a 6.00 ERA. Batters hit .407/.452/.556 against him.
The Mets have been searching for replacement-level arms who can somehow pitch above replacement level. Gott represents the next page in that ever-expanding chapter.
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