Mets trade for lefty specialist Brooks Raley in deal with Rays
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SAN DIEGO — After receiving mixed results from lefty relievers last season, the Mets hope they upgraded Wednesday through a trade.
The Mets acquired Brooks Raley in a trade with the Rays for minor league pitcher Keyshawn Askew. The 34-year-old Raley pitched to a 2.68 ERA in 60 appearances for the Rays last season.
Joely Rodriguez, who served as the Mets’ primary lefty reliever last season, recently signed with the Red Sox. Rodriguez was inconsistent for the Mets, pitching to a 4.47 ERA in 55 appearances.
The Mets began last season with another lefty, Chasen Shreve, in the bullpen. The veteran was released midway through the season following disappointing results.
Raley will earn $4.5 million next season. His contract holds a team option for 2024 worth $6.5 million. If the Mets decline that option Raley receives a $1.25 million buyout.
Askew, a left-hander, pitched to a 2.44 ERA in 18 appearances combined last season for Low-A St. Lucie and High-A Brooklyn. The Mets selected Askew in the 10th round of the 2021 draft from Clemson.
The Mets selected Zach Greene from the Yankees in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Greene, a right-handed pitcher, struck out 96 batters in 68 ¹/₃ innings last season for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Greene will have to be placed on the Mets’ 26-man roster to begin the season or be offered back to the Yankees.
Trevor Williams, who resides nearby, was at the winter meetings to speak with interested teams. The veteran right-hander said he’s maintained contact with the Mets and hasn’t eliminated the possibility of a return to the club. But Williams has to decide whether to pursue a full-time starting job or return to a swingman role, potentially enhancing his chances of playing for a contending team.
The right-hander said the Mets have told him he could have a “chance to start” if he returns — but that could also mean the same kind of role he held last season, when he appeared in 39 games, starting nine of them. Overall he pitched to a 3.21 ERA.
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