"Raley and Smith were each working on one-year contracts with the Mets in the wake of Tommy John surgeries. Raley underwent his procedure in May 2024 and didn't officially sign until last April, inking a deal that paid him $1.5MM in salary for 2025 plus the $4.75MM club option for 2026 (with a $300K buyout). Smith's deal from last February paid him $1MM for the 2025 season, and there was no buyout on his $2MM club option."
"Raley also earned himself a $250K roster bonus for making it back to New York's active roster before the 2025 campaign was out, as the southpaw was able to return just after the All-Star break. In even better news for all parties, Raley looked sharp in posting a 2.45 ERA, 25.3% strikeout rate, and a 6.1% walk rate over 25 2/3 innings out of the Amazins' bullpen."
"While a .212 BABIP contributed to Raley's success and his K% was below the 29% mark he'd posted in five seasons with the Mets, it was still a very good showing for a 37-year-old pitcher coming off such a major arm surgery. As such, it was expected that New York would exercise Raley's option to officially bring the reliever back into the fold."
The Mets exercised their $4.75MM club option on left-hander Brooks Raley for 2026 and declined the $2MM club option on right-hander (Smith), making Smith a free agent. Both pitchers had signed one-year deals while recovering from Tommy John surgeries. Raley returned after undergoing surgery in May 2024, earned a $250K roster bonus, and produced a 2.45 ERA, 25.3% strikeout rate, and 6.1% walk rate across 25 2/3 innings. A .212 BABIP helped his numbers, but his performance remained strong for a 37-year-old post-TJ. Smith missed 2025 after a July 2024 hybrid TJ/brace procedure and logged no game action during rehab.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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