Mets acquire reliever Phil Maton in trade with Rays to help struggling bullpen

The Mets couldn’t wait any longer.

David Stearns, the team’s president of baseball operations, acknowledged Tuesday the supply of available relievers will be greater closer to the July 30 trade deadline. But with the Mets bullpen in danger of sinking the team beforehand, Stearns moved quickly in acquiring right-hander Phil Maton from the Rays for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Maton, 31, has pitched to a 4.58 ERA in 40 appearances this season with 30 strikeouts in 35 ¹/₃ innings. The Mets are taking on the remainder of the $6.25 million Maton is owed for this season. His contract contains a club option for 2025 worth $7.75 million.

Stearns said the Mets targeted Maton last offseason before he signed with the Rays. The Mets and Rays began talking in the last two weeks, according to Stearns, about a trade for Maton, who pitched previously for the Astros.

“He’s been a very consistent reliever pitching in a high-leverage environment in big games in Houston,” Stearns said. “He got off to a rougher start this year and we think some of the adjustments over the last month or so, he is throwing a few more strikes … have led to some better results and we’re happy to bring him into our pen.”

The trade was finalized a day after the Mets’ latest bullpen implosion on Monday in Pittsburgh, where Eric Orze and Adrian Houser combined to allow six runs in an 8-2 loss after starter Christian Scott was removed because of pitch-count concerns.

After the loss, Brandon Nimmo was vocal about the Mets’ need to “lock down” wins. Stearns said he’s been open to such input from Mets players and uses it as a “data point” in considering moves for the organization.

“[Maton] is a piece that we think today helps our bullpen and helps our team and we’re going to continue to see what is out there and moves that might make sense for us,” Stearns said. “And we’ll also continue to learn about our team in the coming weeks.”

The Mets began play 44-45 and 2 ½ games behind in the race for the National League’s third wild card. The team’s play between now and July 30 will determine in what direction — as buyers or sellers — the Mets move before the trade deadline, according to Stearns.

“We are in a spot now where winning three in a row changes things in a very significant direction,” Stearns said. “And losing three in a row seems to change things in a pretty significant direction. That is true for a couple of other teams as well. It’s one of the reasons we are going to be patient as we continue to learn and evaluate the team.”

Maton was expected to join the Mets either Tuesday or Wednesday. To create space on the 40-man roster for Maton, left-hander Joey Lucchesi was designated for assignment.

The Mets’ need for bullpen help has occurred with veterans such as Jake Diekman and Adam Ottavino performing below their career levels and with Sean Reid-Foley on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement and Drew Smith likely facing a second Tommy John surgery. The Mets lost left-hander Brooks Raley to season-ending elbow surgery in May.

“I think we have a group that was thinned out by injuries,” Stearns said. “We have a group that there is some significant usage on certain guys who have pitched pretty well. And we have a group that has the talent to be pretty consistent. We’ve had really good stretches over the course of this year with our bullpen and we’ve had some really tough stretches. But I do think we have guys down there who can get the job done and have at points this year and certainly have over the course of their careers.”