The Boston Red Sox just shook up the pitching market in a big way, locking down Ranger Suárez on a five-year, $130 million deal. And while that move shores up Boston’s rotation, it also sends a clear message to the rest of the league: the top-tier arms are going fast. Over in Queens, the New York Mets are feeling the squeeze.
With Suárez off the board and Framber Valdez now the biggest name left among free-agent starters, the Mets are staring down a tough decision. Valdez, a proven workhorse with postseason pedigree, is expected to command something north of $150 million. That’s a hefty price tag for a pitcher entering his 30s-especially for a team trying to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term sustainability.
So instead of going all-in on a long-term contract, Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns appears to be pivoting to the trade market. And there’s one name that stands out: Freddy Peralta.
Why Freddy Peralta Makes Sense for the Mets
According to reports, the Mets have reached out to the Milwaukee Brewers about Peralta’s availability. This isn’t just a courtesy call-it’s a serious inquiry into a high-upside, frontline starter who could immediately elevate New York’s rotation without the long-term risk that comes with a free-agent mega-deal.
Peralta isn’t just a fallback option-he’s a legitimate ace in his own right. Coming off a dominant 2025 season where he posted a 17-6 record, a 2.70 ERA, and 204 strikeouts over 176.2 innings, “Fastball Freddy” brings a swing-and-miss arsenal that plays especially well in October. His ability to generate strikeouts and limit damage makes him an ideal postseason weapon, and pairing him with Nolan McLean would give the Mets a dynamic one-two punch atop the rotation.
Beyond the stuff, there’s the contract situation. Peralta is entering the final year of team control, which could lower the acquisition cost compared to a pitcher with multiple years left.
But that doesn’t mean he’ll come cheap. The Brewers have a history of listening on their stars as they approach free agency, and they’ll be looking for a strong return-think a major-league-ready piece or a top-tier pitching prospect.
The Mets have been protective of their farm system, particularly their high-upside arms, but this might be the kind of move that justifies loosening the grip. One year of an ace-caliber arm, especially one with Peralta’s profile, could be the difference between a wild card berth and a deep postseason run.
Money vs. Prospect Capital: The Mets’ Winter Dilemma
This all boils down to how owner Steve Cohen and the Mets want to allocate their resources this offseason. Signing Valdez would cost nothing but cash, preserving the pipeline of young talent. But it also means betting big on a long-term deal that could age poorly.
On the other hand, trading for Peralta would conserve financial flexibility-possibly freeing up room to chase a bat like Kyle Tucker-but it would come at the cost of prospect depth. That’s the balancing act Stearns is working through. And as someone who knows the Brewers’ system inside and out, he’s uniquely positioned to negotiate a deal that doesn’t completely empty the cupboard.
The free-agent market is thinning out fast, and the Mets know they can’t afford to sit on their hands. Whether it’s Peralta or another trade target, the clock is ticking.
If New York wants to keep pace in a suddenly loaded NL East, they’ll need to act decisively-and smartly. And in Peralta, they just might have found the perfect fit.