Ryne Stanek excited to put recent struggles behind him with Mets
Mariners relief pitcher Ryne Stanek works against a Padres batter during the eighth inning of a game on July 10 in San Diego. Credit: AP/Gregory Bull
Ryne Stanek’s 33rd birthday took an unexpected turn Friday night when the Mets acquired him from the Mariners in an effort to bolster their bullpen ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Stanek, a World Series champion with the Astros in 2022, called Friday the strangest birthday he’s ever had, but he took the news in stride.
“If you are going to go somewhere, you definitely want to go someplace where you can win,” he said at his new Citi Field locker on Saturday before the Mets’ 4-0 loss to Atlanta. “It’s good to be here whenever the boys are playing good baseball.”
In exchange for Stanek, the Mets sent minor-league outfielder and 2022 11th-round draft pick Rhylan Thomas to Seattle.
In 46 appearances this season, Stanek has posted a 4.38 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP and struck out 44 in 39 innings. He’s converted seven of 11 save opportunities.
“I’ve seen this guy pitch important games, playoff games in a lot of situations,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “So yeah, talking to him when he first got to the ballpark today, that’s the expectation here: Go get ’em.”
In his final three appearances with Seattle, Stanek gave up four earned runs, walked four batters and recorded only three outs. Stanek said he’s been dealing with back spasms but added that they are not an excuse for his recent struggles.
Stanek said he feels good about his season to date and feels ready to return to form as a Met. “It’s always good to be wanted,” he said. “You want to come into a team and you want to win, and they’ve been doing that.”
While the Mets trading for a reliever was not a surprise, finding a trade partner in playoff-contending Seattle was less expected. But because of Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto’s propensity for making trades — which he displayed again this past week by trading for Rays All-Star outfielder Randy Arozarena — Stanek said he was not surprised by the move.
“It wasn’t something that felt like it wasn’t going to happen because, obviously, they have been making moves and are probably going to continue to make moves,” he said.
The University of Arkansas product is the second reliever the Mets have traded for this month. The first bullpen-bolstering trade came when they acquired Phil Maton from the Rays. Maton, whom Stanek considers a good friend, also was a part of the 2022 Astros.
In a corresponding move to create room for Stanek, the Mets optioned righthanded pitcher Eric Orze to Triple-A Syracuse.
