4 NY Mets trades that, if reversed, could help them out this season

4) Paul Gervase to the Rays

Revisiting Tampa Bay yet again, there’s a big irony with Paul Gervase. Both he and the player the Mets traded him for, Tyler Zuber, were called up to the big leagues on the same penultimate weekend of June. Gervase tossed two shutout innings. Zuber was messy and ended up sent back to Triple-A after one quick look versus the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday night baseball.

Was this a bad trade? Statistically, it sure feels like it has become one. Zuber was a mess in 2024 after the Mets acquired him. Optional and controllable, the deal had that similarity with the much more high-profile swap with the Marlins for Huascar Brazoban. The difference is Brazoban has been an important part of the Mets bullpen this year. Zuber is easy to forget about.

Gervase has logged 4.1 innings in 4 appearances for Tampa Bay with only one earned run allowed thus far. He has walked 4 while striking out 3. The sample size at the MLB level is far too small for a full analysis of Gervase. For that, a look at his minor league totals is worth a peak.

In 33.1 innings in Triple-A for the Durham Bulls, Gervase pieced together a 3.78 ERA but with a terrific 0.93 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9, and 13.5 K/9. The improved control in the minors is something he never had while with the Mets organization. The Rays look like they know how to get the most out of Gervase. It’s now a matter of doing it at the MLB level.