In a move to strengthen their bullpen ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, the New York Mets acquired right-handed pitcher Ryne Stanek from the Seattle Mariners on Friday. The 33-year-old reliever spoke to reporters on Saturday, expressing his excitement about joining another contender and contributing to a winning club.

Stanek, who had been with the Mariners, acknowledged that being traded from one contender to another was a bit odd but ultimately a positive experience. He stated, "If you're going to go somewhere, you definitely want to go someplace you can win. It's good to be here whenever the boys are playing good baseball."

When asked if the trade came as a surprise, Stanek noted that the Mariners had been active in making moves leading up to the trade deadline. Seattle recently acquired outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays and reliever Yimi García from the Toronto Blue Jays. Stanek believed that the Mariners would likely continue to be active in shaping their roster.

The Mariners currently hold a 54-51 record and sit in second place in the AL West, just one game behind the Houston Astros. They are also in contention for the third AL Wild Card spot, trailing by 3.5 games.

Meanwhile, the Mets have been on a winning streak, securing five consecutive victories. They now hold a 0.5-game lead over the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres for the top NL Wild Card spot. With reliever Dedniel Nunez hitting the injured list due to a right pronator strain, the Mets were in need of additional bullpen support.

Stanek expressed his belief that he could provide that support, saying, "I would like to think I can come in and help. I think the whole plan is just go out and do my job and go from there." This season, Stanek has appeared in 46 games and holds a 6-3 record with a 4.38 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, seven saves, and 46 strikeouts over 39.0 innings pitched.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Stanek would be available right away and expected him to slot into the late innings of games. Stanek also spoke highly of the Mets, noting their talent and success on the field. He expressed excitement about being a part of this group and contributing to their continued success.

Furthermore, Stanek highlighted the difference in environment compared to his playoff experience with the Houston Astros. He cited the presence of experienced players on the Mets' roster, noting that there was a wealth of knowledge and playoff experience within the team.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Mets aim to solidify their roster and make a serious push for the postseason. With Stanek now in their bullpen, they hope his addition will fortify their chances of securing a playoff spot and making a deep postseason run.