The Seattle Mariners traded right-handed pitchers Chris Flexen and Trevor Gott to the New York Mets on July 3, 2023, in exchange for left-handed pitcher Zach Muckenhirn. The Mets plan to designate Flexen for assignment, which means he will be placed on waivers and can be claimed by another team.
Flexen, 28, was a breakout star for the Mariners in 2022, going 14-6 with a 3.98 ERA in 32 starts. However, he has struggled this season, posting a 4.88 ERA in 14 starts.
Gott, 30, is a veteran reliever who has pitched for six different teams in his career. He has a 3.79 ERA in 406 career appearances.
Muckenhirn, 28, is a left-handed reliever who has pitched in parts of two seasons in the majors. He has a 4.26 ERA in 24 career appearances.
The Mets are in need of pitching depth, and they believe that Flexen and Gott can help them in the second half of the season. However, they are also facing a salary crunch, and they may need to designate Flexen for assignment in order to clear a roster spot for another player.
The trade is still pending a physical, but it is expected to be finalized soon.