NEW YORK -- Maybe manager Carlos Mendoza said it best: The Mets “are a lot better” after acquiring relievers Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers and outfielder Cedric Mullins before Thursday's Trade Deadline.
“I’m super excited, especially in the bullpen. That unit there … is pretty solid and to add someone like Cedric is special, too. Overall, it feels really good,” Mendoza said.
The Mets are a lot better on paper, but they're also now on a four-game losing streak after losing to the Giants, 4-3, in 10 innings on Friday night.
The Mets were dominated by left-hander Robbie Ray during the first seven innings. He held them hitless until the fifth inning when Mark Vientos singled to center field. They didn’t score their first run until the seventh when Ray served up a home run to Pete Alonso, which made it a 3-1 game in favor of San Francisco.
Once Ray was out of the game, the Mets tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the eighth, highlighted by Alonso's sacrifice fly off former Met José Buttó, who was part of the deal that sent Rogers to New York.
But San Francisco pushed ahead in the 10th on Dominic Smith's pinch-hit single up the middle off Edwin Díaz, scoring Willy Adames.
New York had a chance to at least tie the game in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with two outs against All-Star right-hander Randy Rodríguez. But, unlike last week when he allowed two home runs in the series finale at Oracle Park, Rodríguez struck out Ronny Mauricio to end the game.
“[Rodríguez] was aggressive and threw fastballs by Mauricio there,” Mendoza said.
The last 24 hours were hectic for Mullins, who entered the game for his Mets debut as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning and popped out to third baseman Matt Chapman.
He was trying to figure out logistics after the deal was made with the Orioles and didn’t arrive at Citi Field until a few minutes before the Mets took batting practice.
Mullins said he expected the Orioles to move him to another team.
"I definitely wanted to get outside, get some swings and get used to the environment, meet the guys, and it has been awesome,” Mullins said. “[The trade] was somewhat to be expected, just understanding the business side of the game. I just didn’t know where it might be. New York is a great place to land.”
Mullins entered Friday hitting .229, but has been better of late, slashing .321/.333/.547 with eight extra-base hits in his previous 16 games. Mendoza said he expects Mullins to get the bulk of the playing time in center, though he was not in the starting lineup against Ray on Friday night. Tyrone Taylor and Jeff McNeil are also expected to see some action in center field.
Helsley has been a closer for the Cardinals since 2022, saving 103 games during that period and earning two All-Star appearances. But he'll spend most of the time as a setup man, while Díaz remains the closer. As Helsley put it: He doesn’t care when he enters a game.
"[Díaz] got the ninth. He is one of the best closers in the game,” Helsley said. “He has been one of the best for seven years, so he definitely deserves that role. If I need to throw the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth, I’m glad to do so.”
Helsley was able to get some work in against the Giants and dominated in his Mets debut, striking out the side in the ninth to preserve the tie.
“It was a lot of fun. I thought I executed well,” Helsley said. “It was pretty electric. The fans were really into it. They gave me a warm welcome and it was a lot of fun out there.”
Helsley expected to be traded, based on the Cardinals’ record (55-55) and the team wanting to cut payroll and play the younger guys. And even though the Mets already have an established closer, he knows that in the playoffs the club will need as many arms as possible to help win a World Series title in 2025.
"I’m excited. I spent 11 years [in the Cardinals organization], but I’m excited to be here and be on such a great team,” he said.
Rogers is having the best season of his seven-year career to date. He appeared in 53 games and had a 1.80 ERA in 50 innings for the Giants. He wasn’t surprised that he was dealt, because he is a free agent after the season.
"You can kind of connect some dots and [the Giants] are [playing] around .500,” Rogers said. “Wednesday, I packed a few more clothes, but I also did that last year. You are kind of being prepared.”
It was just last week when the Giants played the Mets in San Francisco. New York ended up sweeping the series, with Rogers coming away impressed by what he saw from his new team.
"They are matching my excitement to be here,” Rogers said. “From looking across the dugout a week ago, [the Mets] are a team that is the complete package. I’m very excited to be a part of it. Whatever they need from me, hopefully, I can give it to them.”