Brooks Raley, a 38-year-old impending free agent who became expendable with the Mets out of the playoff hunt, was traded to the Phillies. The Phillies are sending right-handed pitcher Luke Gabrysh and outfielder John Spikerman to the Mets.
The 23-year-old Gabrysh who has pitched exclusively in High-A this year. He has a 5.14 ERA in 18 appearances (17 starts), but his 29.0 K% is fourth in the South Atlantic League.
Spikeman is a former third round pick who walks a ton (21.6 BB%) and steals some bases (18), though he has yet to homer this season in High-A. MLB Pipeline had him as their preseason No. 27 Phillies’ prospect. He has above average speed and arm on defense, where he has played mostly center this season. He does have experience in both corner outfield spots, too.
New York acquired Raley from Tampa Bay for a minor-league pitcher after the 2022 season. The lefty pitched to a 2.80 ERA in 2023, saved three games and tallied 61 strikeouts against 25 walks over 54 2/3 innings. He threw seven scoreless innings to start 2024 before going down with an elbow injury that ultimately required Tommy John surgery. He missed the rest of the season.
Raley was a free agent after the 2024 season and in April 2025, the Mets gambled that he would return to form off of surgery, inking him to a two-year deal – $2.3 million for 2025 and a $5.2 million team option for this season. It paid off.
Raley didn’t miss a beat when he returned to the big leagues in July 2025. In 30 appearances, he pitched to a 2.45 ERA over 25 2/3 innings, struck out 25 and walked six. The Mets picked up the option and he was a steady presence in the bullpen this year as well.
Raley has been tougher on lefties in his career (they have hit .183/.259/.282 vs. him in 439 plate appearances as of this writing), but has more than held his own against right-handed hitters as well. (Righties slashed .230/.320/.371 in 759 PAs).
