The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t just building a contender - they’re building a juggernaut. After landing Kyle Tucker in a blockbuster move, the Dodgers are now reportedly eyeing another major piece: All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta. But this time, they may not have the trade market all to themselves.
Enter the New York Mets - a team with the kind of MLB-ready pitching depth and prospect capital to stand toe-to-toe with L.A. in a potential bidding war. According to reports, the Mets are positioned as legitimate challengers for Peralta, and unlike the Dodgers, they may have more urgency - and more willingness - to push their chips all in.
Let’s talk about why.
Freddy Peralta: The Ace on the Market
Peralta is coming off a season that would headline any rotation in baseball: a 17-6 record, 2.70 ERA, 204 strikeouts, and a 1.075 WHIP across 176 innings. That’s not just frontline material - that’s Cy Young-caliber stuff. His mix of electric fastballs and devastating off-speed pitches makes him a nightmare for hitters and a dream for teams looking to anchor a rotation.
For the Dodgers, adding Peralta would be the final touch on what could be one of the most dominant pitching staffs in recent memory. With their offense already loaded and their rotation stacked with talent, Peralta would give them a top-tier arm to match their championship expectations. He’s not a luxury - he’s a weapon.
But for the Mets? He’s a necessity.
Mets’ Urgency vs. Dodgers’ Depth
The Mets don’t just want Peralta - they need him. Their rotation lacks a true ace, and with the NL East becoming more competitive by the year, New York is under pressure to make a splash. They have the farm system to compete with the Dodgers in a trade package, and they’re reportedly more likely to meet the projected five-year, $152 million extension Peralta is expected to command in 2027.
That’s a hefty price tag, but for a team desperate to stabilize its rotation and make a serious postseason push, it might be the cost of doing business.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers have the assets, the payroll flexibility, and the recent track record to make this happen - but do they have the same level of urgency? With or without Peralta, they’re still a World Series favorite. That gives them leverage, but it also opens the door for a hungrier team like the Mets to swoop in.
Brewers’ Dilemma: NL Foes at the Table
For Milwaukee, trading Peralta within the National League is already a tough pill to swallow. Sending him to the Dodgers - a perennial postseason threat - would mean strengthening a direct competitor.
The Mets, while still in the NL, don’t present quite the same immediate roadblock to a Brewers postseason run. That dynamic could factor into how the Brewers evaluate offers, especially if the packages are close in value.
What Happens Next?
This is shaping up to be a high-stakes chess match. The Dodgers can afford to be patient, but if they want to build a rotation that’s truly untouchable, they’ll need to act quickly. The Mets, on the other hand, might be willing to overpay in both prospects and dollars because their need is more urgent - and their window might not be as wide open as L.A.’s.
If the Dodgers want to put the finishing touch on a potential dynasty, they’ll need to move fast. Because if they don’t, the Mets might just beat them to the punch - and land the ace who could change the balance of power in the National League.