The New York Mets are making all the right moves with their bullpen in 2025, and they show no signs of letting up.
With a bullpen ERA of 2.46 — the third-best in baseball — the Mets are searching for every possible advantage.
This past weekend, they reunited with a familiar arm, signing veteran left-hander Brooks Raley to a one-year contract.
Brooks Raley Returns to a Familiar Stage
Raley had a brief but effective run with the Mets last season, pitching only seven innings in the majors without giving up a single run.
During that stretch, he recorded an impressive 11.57 strikeouts per nine innings.
Looking back, Raley put together excellent seasons in 2022 and 2023, highlighted by his strong 2023 performance with the Mets, where he posted a 2.80 ERA across 54.2 innings.
His ability to strand 80.7% of baserunners and induce a 43% ground ball rate provided much-needed stability to the bullpen.
Now 36 years old, Raley’s veteran savvy and experience are more valuable than ever.
What Raley Brings to the 2025 Mets Bullpen
Raley isn’t a power pitcher — not by a long shot — but he’s a master of his craft on the mound.
He relies on a sweeper, cutter, changeup, and sinker, creating a diverse mix that keeps hitters guessing.
Rather than relying on sheer speed, he excels at getting batters to chase pitches out of the zone, piling up strikeouts through strategy and precision.
It’s like watching an experienced pool player who dominates not with brute force, but with sharp instincts and smart play.
A Timely Replacement for A.J. Minter
This move comes at an important time, with the Mets placing A.J. Minter on the injured list due to a triceps issue.
Bringing in Raley helps keep the bullpen strong, providing a reliable left-handed option to step in.
Raley’s familiarity with the team should make his return seamless, giving manager Carlos Mendoza another dependable arm for high-pressure moments.
With the Mets’ pitching staff performing at a high level, reuniting with Raley could turn out to be one of their smartest under-the-radar moves this season.
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