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Jorge Castillo, ESPN Staff Writer
NEW YORK — The New York Mets‘ quest to improve their bullpen, their biggest flaw, before Tuesday’s trade deadline continued Friday when they acquired reliever Ryne Stanek from the Seattle Mariners for minor-league outfielder Rhylan Thomas, the team announced.
The transaction came hours after developments impacted both clubs’ bullpens.
On one side, the Mariners needed to create a spot on the 40-man roster after landing right-hander Yimi Garcia, one of the top available relievers on the market, in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
On the other, the Mets placed right-hander Dedniel Nunez, one of their top relievers, on the injured list with a right pronator strain — a huge blow to a bullpen with the fourth-highest ERA in the majors since May 1.
While Stanek became expendable in Seattle, the Mets have been eager to upgrade their relief corps in recent weeks to help sustain their sudden postseason push.
Stanek, who turned 33 on Friday, recorded a 4.38 ERA in 39 innings across a team-leading 46 appearances. He gave up four runs in one combined inning over his final three outings as a Mariner. He will reach free agency this winter after signing a one-year, $4 million deal with Seattle in March.
Thomas, 24, is batting .265 with five home runs and a .705 OPS in 74 games between Double-A and Triple-A. He was an 11th-round draft pick out of USC in 2022.
An eight-year veteran, Stanek is the second reliever the Mets have acquired this month after New York received right-hander Phil Maton from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later or cash on July 9.
That move marked the front office’s willingness to bolster a club that surged into the thick of the National League Wild Card race. The Mets, owners of the best record in the majors since June 1, have continued winning behind an explosive offense. They entered Friday in the second Wild Card spot, only a half-game behind the Atlanta Braves for the first slot.
Upgrading the bullpen can make a significant difference down the stretch. They have until 6 p.m. ET to add more via trade.