Latest NY Mets free agent signing feels like a testament to the organization

Before their game against the Washington Nationals on Friday night, the New York Mets continued a theme in free agency. It doesn’t matter how hurt you are or how long you’ll be out for. If the team believes in you, you’re on the radar. The Mets signed Drew Smith and Adbert Alzolay with little to no intention of either ever pitching a frame for them this year. The same happened when they added Jose Marte to a minor league deal. They haven’t stopped with an agreement to bring Brooks Raley back on a one-year deal with an option for 2026.

Raley was nothing short of brilliant in his year-plus with the Mets. A 2.80 ERA in 2023 followed by 7 scoreless in 2024 before Tommy John surgery claimed him, it always made sense to keep an eye on him when he became a free agent this offseason. Of course, with no availability to immediately pitch at the start of 2025, the Mets were in no immediate rush.

Things have worked out well, though. The Mets had an opening on their 40-man roster. With Raley likely headed immediately to the 60-day IL, they’ll be able to re-open the slot and give the lefty a chance to rehab his way back to the big leagues. He’s expected to begin a rehab assignment in June.

We know why the Mets would want Brooks Raley, but why would he want them?

This wasn’t a Juan Soto situation where money spoke the loudest. Although terms of his deal have yet to be released, Raley’s decision to come to the Mets is most assuredly as much about what the team can offer him as much as how quickly he can pay off his mortgage. Seeing the success of Mets pitchers last year and again to start off this season is tantalizing for any MLB nomad looking for a home.

Familiarity didn’t hurt. But something about not being able to fully enjoy spending time on a David Stearns-led Mets team must be some sort of a factor, no? It’s purely speculative. However, with nothing but praise coming from Mets players of all shapes, sizes, ages, and positions, we can chalk this one up to yet another instance where his positive experience partly weighed into Raley’s agreement.

The acclaimed pitching lab opened in mid-2023 with a lot of curiosity but not tangible results. Raley had only a limited opportunity to experience all it had to offer. The 2023 Mets were pre-breakout for a number of pitchers. Last year but even more so this season with pitchers like Huascar Brazoban, Griffin Canning, Max Kranick, the science of pitching seems to have taken off.

If nothing else, credit morbid curiosity for the free agent reunion. But don’t forget to tip your cap to the front office for making another low-risk move with so much upside.