The Mets and left-handed pitcher have reached an agreement on a one-year contract with a club option for 2026, according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post. The deal is pending a physical. Since the Mets have an open spot on their 40-man roster, no corresponding move will be needed if this turns out to be a major league deal. Financial terms have not yet been disclosed; He is represented by CAA Sports.
He turns 37 in June, was with the Mets last season but underwent Tommy John surgery in May, ending his 2024 campaign and delaying his return until sometime in 2025. However, he appears to be progressing well in his recovery—he recently threw for teams, and Sherman reports that his doctors expect him to begin a rehab assignment in June.
Before his injury, Raley was a reliable left-handed reliever. After a stint as a starter in Korea from 2015 to 2019, he returned to MLB and established himself in the bullpen. Between 2020 and his injury, he pitched 184 1/3 innings with a 3.42 ERA, a 29% strikeout rate, and an 8.5% walk rate.
The Mets know him well, having acquired him from the Rays before the 2023 season. He delivered a strong performance that year, posting a 2.80 ERA across 54 2/3 innings. That success led the Mets to exercise a $6.5 million club option for 2024—essentially a $5.25 million decision after accounting for a $1.25 million buyout. Unfortunately, he only logged seven innings before getting injured.
Now, the Mets and Raley are reuniting on a new deal structured around his recovery status. He’ll likely earn a bit this season even though his availability will be limited to the second half at best. For the Mets, it’s a low-risk investment in the hopes of late-season help, with a potential carryover into 2026. These types of contracts are common for injured pitchers trying to return.
The Mets currently boast one of the top bullpens in the majors, with a collective 2.35 ERA—second only to the Padres. Their left-handed options include A.J. Minter and Danny Young, so Raley isn’t an urgent need, but with pitching depth always valuable, he could play a key role later this year. If Raley is signed to a major league deal and isn’t ready by late June, he could be placed on the 60-day injured list.
Would you like me to shorten this version further?
Be the first to comment