Mets Stay Aggressive, Add Freddy Peralta - But Extension Talks Can Wait
The New York Mets are making it clear: they're not sitting back this offseason. After landing Luis Robert Jr. on Tuesday, they followed it up with another big swing on Wednesday, acquiring All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta - along with Tobias Meyers - in a late-night deal. That’s two high-impact moves in two nights, and it’s reshaping the outlook of their 2026 rotation in a hurry.
Peralta slots into the Mets’ starting staff at just $8 million for the upcoming season, a bargain for a pitcher of his caliber. He’s set to hit free agency after 2026, which naturally raises the question: are the Mets looking to lock him up long-term?
For now, the answer is... not yet.
According to reports, the Mets are taking a patient approach. The plan is to let Peralta settle in, get comfortable, and see how things unfold during the season before diving into any extension talks.
It’s a strategy that makes sense - let the relationship build organically before discussing a future together. There’s no sense of urgency from either side, but also no indication that an extension is off the table.
March or even midseason could be the right time for those conversations to start.
This kind of calculated flexibility is becoming a hallmark of smart front offices. The Mets are giving themselves the chance to evaluate fit, chemistry, and performance - all while adding a high-upside arm to a rotation that needed a boost.
Taylor Rogers Joins the Twins - and Yes, He’s a Twin
In one of the more fun storylines of the day, the Minnesota Twins have brought back a familiar name - and a fitting one. Left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers is heading to Minnesota on a one-year, $2 million deal.
And yes, in case you were wondering, he is an actual twin. His identical brother, Tyler Rogers, is currently with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Taylor, now 35, brings a veteran presence to the Twins' bullpen. He’s coming off a solid 2025 campaign split between the Reds and Cubs, where he posted a 3.38 ERA with 53 strikeouts over 50 ⅔ innings. His WHIP sat at 1.38, and while he wasn’t lights-out, he was steady - the kind of arm that can handle leverage spots if needed.
With the Twins’ bullpen still shaping up, Rogers could very well find himself in a late-inning role. The current group includes Justin Topa, Cole Sands, and Kody Funderburk, but there’s no clear-cut closer. Rogers’ experience could give him a leg up as the team heads into spring training looking to define roles.
Free Agent Market Thinning Out
Elsewhere around the league, the free-agent pool is starting to dry up as camps inch closer. Cody Bellinger signed with the Yankees on Wednesday, taking another big name off the board.
That leaves just a few top-20 free agents still unsigned - most notably Framber Valdez (No. 4), Eugenio Suárez (No. 14), and Zac Gallen (No.
18).
With pitchers and catchers reporting in just a few weeks, the offseason is finally beginning to slow down. But as we’ve seen this week, there’s still time for some fireworks before spring training arrives.
Baseball’s almost back - and if the last 48 hours are any indication, the hot stove isn’t quite done cooking yet.