As the MLB trade deadline draws closer, the White Sox are still working the market for starting pitching, and one of the names that surfaced in their search was Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta.
According to a report from Michael Marino, the White Sox and Mets discussed a deal that would have sent Peralta to Chicago in exchange for a package that included George Wolkow, the White Sox’s No. 11 prospect, Boston Smith, their No. 15 prospect, and more. Those talks have since stalled, with the Mets continuing to discuss Peralta with other clubs on Thursday.
Peralta has become a tricky player to price. The 30-year-old was traded from the Brewers to New York in the offseason and is in the middle of the worst season of his career.
Through 22 starts entering Friday’s outing, he owns a 4.99 ERA across 113.2 innings. After holding hitters to a .193 average in 2025, he has allowed a .264 mark this season.
That’s a sharp drop from the version of Peralta who went 17-0 and posted a 2.70 ERA last year, but his track record still gives him plenty of appeal around the league.
The names tied to the White Sox offer are notable in their own right. Smith, 23, has broken out this season after being acquired in April for Curtis Mead.
He’s hit .291 with 22 home runs across three minor league levels and has shown advanced plate discipline along the way. Smith wasn’t on the White Sox top 30 entering the season, but MLB Pipeline recently ranked him 15th in the system.
The questions with him are centered on where he’ll settle defensively, since he has played both outfield and catcher this year, and whether he can become more aggressive at the plate.
Wolkow brings a different kind of appeal. The White Sox drafted him in the seventh round but paid him third-round money because of his huge power.
Contact has always been the challenge, though he has made progress there. The 20-year-old is hitting .749 OPS with 15 home runs in High-A, enough production to keep the upside conversation alive even if he’s still a long way from the majors.
Even if the Peralta talks have cooled, the reported inclusion of Smith and Wolkow says something about how the White Sox are approaching the deadline. If those two names are in the mix for Peralta, they could also be on the table in other deals.
Chicago is expected to add pitching help before the week is out, but the exact level of arm they target is still unclear. Peralta was scratched from his scheduled start on Friday night, which could point to a deal coming together soon. White Sox fans may not have to wait much longer for the answer.
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