The New York Mets are going to add at least one more relief pitcher to the staff, possibly two. If it’s the latter, they’ll need to look at guys who can be sent to the minors or they’ll need to subtract from the current roster.

David Stearns showed us last summer how to accomplish this. He landed Huascar Brazoban from the Miami Marlins with the intention of using him as a Four-A player who could go to the minors if he struggled, which he did. Additionally, the Mets traded for Tyler Zuber from the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s the Rays, whose ability to create stud pitchers, that seems to intrigue Stearns often.

Under Stearns, the Mets have added countless ex-Rays pitchers. Some were reclamation projects that worked out well for Tampa Bay such as Jake Diekman. Then there are those whose time in Tampa Bay was a little more distant. Ryne Stanek spent time there. So, to find another similar trade, we venture to Durham. There happens to be a pitcher there playing well in Triple-A who’d be expendable for the Rays and potentially useful for the Mets.

Garrett Acton is a product in the Rays system having big year in Triple-A

Now 27 and with two minor league options remaining, Garrett Acton fits a similar profile as Zuber. A Tommy John surgery graduate who missed all of 2024, he is rewarding the Rays in year two of his contract.

Formerly of the Oakland Athletics, another organization Stearns has a tendency to scout, Acton struggled in the upper minor leagues for them and in his limited time with the big league club. It’s difficult to look at those struggles in Triple-A for the Athletics, though, because their pitchers are forced to throw in Las Vegas which is essentially Death Valley for them and a safe haven for hitters. His 5.00+ ERA in parts of two seasons there doesn’t seem to fairly represent his upside.

For Durham, Acton is 5-1 with a 2.45 ERA. He has 3.3 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 through 40.1 innings. He’s not doing it with any smoke and mirrors. A WHIP of 0.89 and 4.7 hits per 9 all conglomerate to tell us he’s earning favorable results.

It cost the Mets Paul Gervase, a useful minor league relief pitcher, to acquire Zuber. Acton might require a slightly larger payment because of an extra minor league option (2 instead of Zuber’s one for 2025), but nothing too outrageous. He hasn’t been able to crack the Rays roster, after all.

Tampa Bay is always a difficult team to figure out at the trade deadline. They’ll buy and sell at the same time. Acton was a chance signing much like many the Mets have made under Stearns. Whether they’re buying, selling or doing nothing at all, he’s an intriguing player for the Mets to consider to add some extra depth to their pitching staff.