The Mets added some veteran depth to their bullpen on Wednesday, trading for Rays lefty Brooks Raley, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported.
The 34-year-old, a 2009 sixth-round pick by the Cubs, posted a 2.68 ERA with a 1-2 record and six saves in 60 appearances last season. He added 61 strikeouts with a WHIP of 0.97 in 53 2/3 innings.
He’ll give the Mets a weapon to use against the big left-handed bats after holding southpaws to a .155 batting average and .483 OPS last season.
Raley’s proficiency against lefties has shone through in recent seasons, with his .166 BAA ranking 10th-best among pitchers who faced 150 left-handed batters from 2020-22. In that same span, he’s ninth in OBP-against (.226) and slugging percentage against (.243). He surrendered just three homers in 181 at-bat against lefties.
Raley, a self-professed “big believer in saber metrics,” spent five seasons in Korea, pitching for the Lotte Giants from 2015-19 before returning stateside.
The newest Mets reliever is slated to make $4.5 million this season. Adding that, along with previously signed start Jose Quintana’s $13 million salary for 2023, Mets now have a projected CBT payroll of $293.63 million — just over the top luxury tax tier of $293 million.
To acquire Raley, the Mets sent 2021 tenth-round pick Keyshawn Askew to Tampa Bay.
