ESPN gives Mets meh grade for MLB trade deadline deal for Brooks Raley

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ESPN gives Mets meh grade for MLB trade deadline deal for Brooks Raley originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After acquiring Luis Arraez to shake up their defensive lineup, the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday moved before the MLB trade deadline to bulk up their relief corps by adding left-handed pitcher Brooks Raley from the New York Mets.

Was it the right move?

ESPN's Bradford Doolittle released a meh reaction, handing the Mets a C+ grade for the three-player deal. Right-handed pitcher Luke Gabrysh and outfielder John Spikerman were ticketed for the Big Apple.

For their part, the Phillies earned a B- from Doolittle.

MORE: MLB trade deadline tracker: Live rumors, news, updates before 2026 deadline​

By adding Raley, the Phillies will be able to pair him with lefty Jose Alvarado to provide more late-inning matchup opportunities for manager Don Mattingly. The 38-year-old continues to get outs, posting a 1.96 ERA. His 14.7 percent strikeout-to-walks percentage continues to decline, however.

Along with Caleb Kilian, an earlier acquisition, the Phillies (59-53) were looking to fortify their bullpen for a postseason run. Entering the start of a four-game series against the visiting Washington Nationals on Monday, the Phillies were tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second seed of the NL Wild Card chase. They trailed the Atlanta Braves by eight games in the NL East race.

The Mets (47-66) didn't appear to get much in return, however. The last-place squad apparently didn't mind trading with a division rival. The Phillies' brass also didn't care about sending either 23-year-old prospect to the rival organization.

Spikerman possesses center-field speed, but the switch-hitter has yet to display consistent contact. In 375 minor-league at-bats, he posted a .232 batting average with three home runs and 36 RBI. In 2025, he went 30-for-30 on stolen-base attempts between three lower levels.

Grabysh was described as a high-A pitching project and was assigned to Class-A Brooklyn to apparently work on his control. In 18 appearances (17 starts) this season, he posted a 3-8 mark with a 5.14 ERA. He yielded 11 homers and hit 14 batters in 68.1 innings.

Meh, ESPN declared.

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