Jul 8, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Brooks Raley (25) pitches in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The dismantling of the Mets’ bullpen continued on Monday morning before the trade deadline, with lefty reliever Brooks Raley being sent to the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies.
It is unclear at this time what the Mets are receiving in return.
The 38-year-old southpaw had been one of New York’s most valuable bullpen arms since he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays following the 2022 season. He posted a 2.31 ERA in 149 appearances with the Mets, including a strong 2026 campaign in which he owns a 1.96 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 41.1 innings pitched.
With it, David Stearns is providing a massive boost to a team that has turned its season around following a nightmare start that prompted the firing of ex-manager Rob Thomson. Under Don Mattingly, the Phillies have turned it around, going from 10 games under .500 in late April to second place in the NL East and in the thick of the Wild Card race.
Philadelphia has been desperate to find a consistent setup man to work in front of star closer Jhoan Duran, and Raley will certainly be just that.
As expected for Stearns and the Mets, it had been a busy day leading up to Major League Baseball’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline on Monday. Relievers AJ Minter (Twins) and Huascar Brazoban (White Sox) have already been dealt, and starting pitcher Freddy Peralta was shipped to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon.
For more on Brooks Raley and the Mets, visit AMNY.com
