The New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays have been frequent trading partners in recent weeks, with Phil Maton joining the Mets and Cole Sulser joining the Rays in another transaction.
On deadline day, the Mets and Rays executed another transaction, with the Mets acquiring a depth relief pitcher.
The Mets acquired Tyler Zuber from the Tampa Bay Rays.
According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, the Mets have acquired reliever Tyler Zuber from the Rays in exchange for minor league pitcher Paul Gervase.
Zuber began the 2024 season pitching for the Long Island Ducks of the Independent League. Before the Rays purchased his contract, the 29-year-old pitched 5.2 innings in six appearances with a 1.59 ERA and a 1.059 WHIP, striking out 10 and recording two saves.
Zuber made two major league appearances this season, pitching 3.1 innings with a 2.70 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, and four strikeouts, but he has spent the majority of his time in the organization pitching for Triple-A Durham.
The Arkansas native has pitched 21.2 innings in 18 appearances, with a 2.49 ERA and 1.015 WHIP, 29 strikeouts, and four saves.
Gervase was the Mets’ 12th-round pick in the 2022 MLB draft, and he spent 2024 pitching for Double-A Binghamton. The 24-year-old has pitched 27.2 innings in 22 appearances for a 3.25 ERA and 1.193 WHIP, striking out 46 and getting five saves.
What exactly does this mean for the Mets?
Zuber’s arrival adds another depth reliever option to a Mets bullpen that may use all the help it can get. Gervase is an interesting relief potential, but he has become disposable as the Blue and Orange quest for postseason participation.
Time will tell if Zuber gets it to the bullpen, but there can never be enough pitching in October, as seen by the 29-year-old’s acquisition.
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