Position: Relief Pitcher
Bats/Throws: L/L
Age: 35 (June 29, 1988)
2023 Traditional Stats: 2.14 ERA, 1.188 WHIP, 33 2/3 IP, 3.7 BB/9, 9.6 SO/9
2023 Advanced Stats: 4.01 FIP, 195 ERA+, 25.0 SO%, 9.7 BB%, 2.1 HR%, 20.2 LD%, 36.0 GB%, 85.1 average EV
Rundown
In December of 2022, the New York Mets acquired left-handed reliever Brooks Raley from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for pitching prospect Keyshawn Askew. The 35-year-old was brought in to be a high-leverage reliever with the ability to execute against top left-handed hitters. Raley got off to a shaky start in April, but he has performed at a fantastic level ever since. He has $6.5 million club option for 2024, so, if he were to be traded, his new team would need to decide whether or not to bring him back.
Raley was hampered by the home run to begin his tenure with the Mets, giving up three long balls in his first 11 1/3 innings. He entered the month of May with a 4.76 ERA, but that quickly changed. Over the last two months, Raley has allowed a total of two earned runs across 22 1/3 innings. He has not given up a home run since Apr. 27, and his ERA is all the way down to 2.14. For a bullpen that has desperately missed Edwin Díaz, Raley is on the shortlist of those who have shined.
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The reliever has a four-pitch mix, utilizing a sweeper (37.3%), sinker (25.7%), cutter (23.1%) and a changeup (13.3%). His most effective pitch is the sweeper, as opponents are hitting .173 with a .231 slugging percentage against the breaking ball. The sweeper is his putaway pitch, as 20 of his 36 strikeouts have come from that this season. Hitters have done the most damage off his sinker, as the opponents own a batting average of .357 with a .576 slugging percentage
Teams looking to make a playoff push are always seeking additional bullpen arms, so the market will be there if Mets decide they are willing to move Raley. He would be one of the top left-handed relievers on the market, which is important to remember. As mentioned previously, he has a club option for 2024, so any team that acquires him would have contract flexibility for next season. Raley is a quality reliever who can really help a contender in the second half and potentially in the postseason.
Potential Landing Spots
1. Houston Astros
The reigning champions do not have a single left-handed reliever on their active roster, so that is a hole they should look to address at the deadline. Raley was a member of the Astros in 2020 and 2021, so he has experience pitching in the postseason. If Houston elects to make additions to their bullpen, bringing the veteran back would make a lot of sense.
2. Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee has a lockdown closer in Devin Williams, but it would not hurt to acquire another arm or two. The Brewers rank 13th in bullpen ERA (3.90), and considering how close the division race is between them and the Cincinnati Reds, the smallest of margins will make the difference. Raley would give Milwaukee a much-needed boost in a potential seventh or eighth inning role.
3. Toronto Blue Jays
Tim Mayza is the lone left-hander in the Blue Jays bullpen, pitching to a 1.16 ERA in 31 innings. He has been one of the most effective middle-inning relievers in all of baseball, helping Toronto to the fifth best bullpen ERA (3.69). The Blue Jays will be in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the American League, and Raley would certainly strengthen their bullpen.
