The Mets’ front office has been busy, and in back-to-back days, they’ve pulled off two of the most predictable - yet necessary - moves of their offseason. First came Luis Robert Jr., and now it’s Freddy Peralta.
These weren’t outside-the-box swings. These were calculated, targeted moves that filled glaring needs.
And while the Robert deal felt like a steal, the Peralta trade hits a little differently - not because it’s a bad move, but because it came at a real cost.
Let’s unpack it.
Freddy Peralta to Queens, but not without a price
The Mets sent away two notable prospects in Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams, while also acquiring swingman Tobias Myers in the deal. On paper, this is a move aimed squarely at 2026 contention.
Peralta isn’t just a solid arm - he’s a rotation upgrade with playoff-caliber stuff. But the inclusion of Sproat and Williams makes this trade more than just a simple win-now play; it’s a calculated sacrifice of future potential for present-day certainty.
Grading the trade? Let’s call it a B+ - and here’s why.
Peralta brings legitimate upside to the rotation. He’s a high-strikeout, high-ceiling starter who can slot in behind the Mets’ top arms and give them quality innings every fifth day.
That’s the kind of stability a team needs when it’s serious about making noise in October. But it’s not just about Peralta.
The addition of Tobias Myers softens the blow of losing Sproat. Myers is a versatile pitcher who can swing between the bullpen and rotation - a valuable asset over the course of a 162-game season.
In essence, he steps into the role many expected Sproat to occupy this year: a sixth starter, a depth piece, a bridge between Triple-A and the bigs.
Saying goodbye to Sproat and Williams
There’s no sugarcoating it - losing Sproat and Williams stings a bit. Sproat, with his power arm and upside, had the makings of a future rotation piece.
Was he a sure thing? No.
But he had enough potential to make you think twice before moving him. That said, with Myers now in the fold, the Mets essentially swapped a developing version of that role for a more MLB-ready one.
Jett Williams is the tougher pill to swallow. He’s the kind of player who doesn’t always jump off the stat sheet but finds ways to impact games.
He’s scrappy, fast, and plays with an edge - the type of guy who can steal a base late, make a diving stop in the infield, or pop a clutch homer after a rough day at the plate. He’s got a little Trea Turner in him - undersized but fearless, and a spark plug on both sides of the ball.
That kind of player can be a fan favorite and a clubhouse asset. But in a win-now context, the Mets deemed him expendable.
A necessary move for a team with October aspirations
This is what contending teams do. They make trades that hurt in the short term because the long-term goal is bigger than any one prospect.
The Mets needed a reliable starter. They got one.
They needed depth. They got that, too.
And while the price wasn’t cheap, it was fair - and perhaps even a bit of a bargain when you factor in Myers’ immediate utility.
So yes, this trade comes with a bit of heartache. But it also comes with clarity.
The Mets are going for it. And if you’re a fan of this team, that’s exactly what you want to see.