Despite holding first place in the standings, the red hot Mets decided not to sit on their laurels as GM Omar Minaya went out and traded for veteran reliever Luis Ayala on Sunday.

With closer Billy Wagner still on the DL, Ayala should provide depth and another late-inning option for manager Jerry Manuel. A reliable reliever for the first four years of his career, Ayala has dipped to 1-8 with a 5.77 ERA this season.

“He’s certainly healthy, and I think a change of scenery will help him,” Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. “I think going to a pennant race will help him.”