Mets sign experienced reliever from AL club

The New York Mets have made their first move at the deadline.

On Tuesday, the Mets announced the acquisition of experienced right-handed reliever Phil Maton from the Tampa Bay Rays. The move will be made for cash consideration or a player to be named later. To make room for the new bullpen pitcher, New York has designated starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi for assignment.

According to David Stearns, president of baseball operations, the Mets had been talking with the Rays and other clubs for several weeks about adding bullpen players and had already targeted Maton in the offseason.

The Mets will pay the remainder of Maton’s outstanding salary this year. He was owed $6.5 million at the start of the season. The 31-year-old right-hander also has a club option for 2025.

Maton, an eight-year MLB veteran, spent 2022 and 2023 with the Houston Astros, serving as a reliable high-leverage reliever with a 3.42 ERA and 147 strikeouts against 49 walks. He struggled mightily with the Rays this season, with a 4.58 ERA and -0.6 fWAR in 35.1 innings pitched, but has shown signs of improvement in his last seven appearances with a 1.08 ERA in 8.1 innings. Stearns believes Maton’s recent adjustments will translate well to the Mets’ bullpen.

The Mets’ bullpen has been plagued by injuries this season. Brooks Raley and Drew Smith have had season-ending surgeries, and Edwin Diaz and Sean Reid-Foley have also spent time on the injured list. New York also just got Diaz back from a 10-game suspension for using foreign substances while pitching. They have struggled a lot during that time, posting an ERA of 8.37.

As of Tuesday, the Mets are 2.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the final wild card spot in the National League. With them so close to a playoff spot, it makes sense for the team to buy at the deadline. While there is more work to be done, signing Maton should be a real boost to the bullpen, especially if his recent adjustments continue to pay off.