The New York Mets have made their intentions clear at this point: they intend to sell, but they won’t conduct a fire sale.
It means that they will listen to trade offers on veterans with short-term contracts (such as David Robertson and Max Scherzer, who have already been flipped to other teams) but they won’t be dealing any players seen as useful in both the short and long-term: Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, Brett Baty, Francisco Alvarez, Mark Vientos, and others.
They are likely to entertain offers on Justin Verlander and are said to be talking to a number of teams.
And, additionally, they are getting lots of phone calls on a solid left-handed reliever: Brooks Raley.
“Sources: Mets left-hander Brooks Raley is generating lots of interest. Twins and Dodgers are among the teams to watch. Raley has a 2.37 ERA this year. He has a $6.5M club option ($1.25M buyout) for 2024,” Mets insider Mike Mayer tweeted.
Sources: Mets left-hander Brooks Raley is generating lots of interest.
Twins and Dodgers are among the teams to watch.
Raley has a 2.37 ERA this year. He has a $6.5M club option ($1.25M buyout) for 2024.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) July 31, 2023
Raley was signed this offseason as one of the Mets’ bullpen anchors.
He has been as good as advertised, with a 2.37 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched.
He is 35, though, and might be looking for a more concrete opportunity to compete and win than the one the Mets can give him at this point.
That’s why a few contenders have been keen on asking for him.
Raley is good against lefties but is no liability against righties, so he should have a role on a championship-caliber squad.
One or two prospects might be all it takes to pry him away from the Mets.
NEXT: Ken Rosenthal Discusses How A Justin Verlander Trade Could Affect The Mets' Future
