1 Mets trade that already looks like it was the wrong choice

With all the acquisitions the New York Mets made over the offseason, nobody can be happy with how poorly they've started the year. There is plenty of blame to go around, but Mets fans are starting to question Billy Eppler and how the front office assembled this roster.

Some of the Mets problems can be tied to their injuries, as new players have missed extended time to start the season. For the rest of the roster, we're at the point where we can look back and see which missteps the front office made to get us into this position. For now, one of the biggest mistakes the Mets made this offseason was one of their only trades they made, as Brooks Raley has not lived up to the expectations we had for him this season.

The Brooks Raley trade has been a big mistake for the Mets.

The Mets acquired Brooks Raley from the Tampa Bay Rays last December, sending back prospect Keyshawn Askew in return. Raley's career is a fascinating one; he spent seven years pitching in Korea after a tough start to his MLB career, and has been a serviceable reliever ever since returning to America in 2020. He had a career year for the Rays last season, which is what the Mets were hoping would continue when they made this move.

Instead, Raley's time in Queens has been a disappointment. Through his first 11 appearances, he holds a 4.76 ERA and has already given up three home runs. He has allowed four of nine inherited runners to score as well, along with blowing his only save appearance.

To make matters worse, he was placed on the 15 day IL last week with elbow inflammation, joining many other Mets on that list. The team put a lot of faith into Raley to be their primary lefty arm out of the bullpen, and so far that has come back to bite them.

At the time, this trade made a ton of sense for the Mets. Askew is lower ranked prospect that has struggled in High-A this season, and Raley is on a cheap deal with a club option next season. However, for a team that invested so much money this offseason, fans should be wishing that the Mets would've invested more into left handed relievers than just Brooks Raley.