The NY Mets player who seems more likely to get traded and re-signed than Clay Holmes

Clay Holmes trade rumors are about to get hot and heavy and the same will apply for a few more New York Mets on expiring contracts. Holmes was an extension candidate, however, after some temporary speculation about a new deal between he and the Mets, Holmes said it wasn't close to happening.

Holmes is now viewed as someone most definitely getting traded even with the Mets owning the qualifying offer weapon to 1) potentially get him to stick around for one year on a high contract 2) eliminate a few teams if he does reject the QO and 3) buy added time to work out a new deal.

A more definite player ready to get traded could be in the same situation. As much as we’re being reminded of how impressive Tyrone Taylor can be in a limited capacity, it’s Brooks Raley who feels most likely to get traded and return to the Mets next year.

Brooks Raley feels like he could be back with the 2027 Mets as much as anyone

Raley has pitched to a 2.09 ERA this season. Nobody tell him he’s 38. Now 126 innings into his tenure with the Mets which began with a Billy Eppler trade prior to 2023, he has been a mainstay in the Mets bullpen for several seasons and through a major regime change.

Raley’s 2.36 ERA overall with the Mets has helped to make him one of the club’s better relievers. He has been incredibly consistent, sometimes underrated, even while being appreciated by the fans. The Mets showed faith in him by re-signing him early in 2025 off of Tommy John surgery. The two-year commitment has worked out well and they’re nearing a chance to capitalize on the reunion with a trade.

A.J. Minter certainly packs some of the same punch as Raley, but his injury history with the Mets doesn’t make him feel like as worthwhile of a match to get traded and return. Raley, on the other hand, will pretty much have to take the one-year deal and be happy about it. Both capable of being more of a middle inning arm or one of the final lines of defense, a reasonable contract in 2027 for Raley to stick around and extend his career further shouldn’t be out of the question.

Because the Mets will be down two left-handed relievers after the trade deadline, they’ll for sure be in the market this offseason to add someone else. Why make it complicated? Rent Raley out for two months. Make him a contract offer in the offseason.

The Mets haven’t traded and re-signed a player since Jeurys Familia in 2018. After such significant turnover from 2025-2026, without success, it does feel as if the Mets will be less likely to try to run it back even if the fit is there.

There is no reason to believe Raley wouldn’t want to come back nor is there any sensible reason as to why the Mets are finished. The only thing that could hold back a reunion is if David Stearns isn’t willing to match contract demands in dollars or years. It may only take an offer with a year and a vesting option for Raley to choose somewhere else.

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