Here’s how the day’s biggest MLB storylines are shaping up across the league:
1. Mets Make Their Move: Freddy Peralta Joins the Rotation
The Mets have been hinting at a big move to bolster their rotation all offseason, and now they’ve delivered. In a bold swing, New York acquired right-hander Freddy Peralta from the Brewers, along with Tobias Myers, in exchange for top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat. It’s a significant price tag, but the Mets didn’t flinch - and for good reason.
Peralta brings serious credentials to Queens. He’s fresh off a season that saw him finish fifth in NL Cy Young voting and is already a two-time All-Star.
He’s not just a frontline starter - he’s the kind of arm that can anchor a playoff rotation. Pairing him with Nolan McLean, who burst onto the scene with a dominant 2025 debut, gives the Mets a one-two punch that can go toe-to-toe with any in the league.
But this move also raises some questions. Is this the final piece for New York, or are they still cooking? The outfield remains a spot to watch, especially behind Carson Benge and Luis Robert Jr. - both talented, but with some injury history and inconsistency to consider.
The Mets now have a surplus of arms, which could open the door to more trades. Veterans like David Peterson, Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, and Sean Manaea give the team depth and flexibility.
Myers, along with prospect Jonah Tong and the returning Christian Scott (coming off 2024 Tommy John surgery), all have the potential to contribute in the majors this season. Each still has minor league options, which gives the front office plenty of room to maneuver.
2. Bronx Bombers Bring Back Bellinger
The Yankees made their own splash, locking in Cody Bellinger on a five-year, $162.5 million deal. The contract includes opt-outs after the 2027 and 2028 seasons, giving Bellinger some flexibility while anchoring the Yankees’ outfield for the foreseeable future.
This move reunites Bellinger with the Bronx faithful and gives the Yankees a high-upside, left-handed bat to pair with Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham. That trio is expected to handle most of the outfield duties, but the depth chart gets interesting behind them.
What happens with Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones? Both are top-tier young talents, and while they may not crack the Opening Day roster, they’re valuable insurance - especially with Grisham on just a one-year deal. Injuries, underperformance, or even trade opportunities could open the door for either to make an impact sooner rather than later.
The Yankees had also been in on Freddy Peralta before he landed in Queens, so it’s fair to wonder if they’ll pivot toward another arm. They’ve already added lefty Ryan Weathers from Miami to deepen the rotation, but with the AL East as competitive as ever, it wouldn’t be surprising to see New York stay aggressive.
3. Rotation Market Shifts After Peralta Deal
Peralta’s move to New York doesn’t just strengthen the Mets - it reshapes the entire starting pitching market. With the top trade chip off the board and one of the biggest buyers now satisfied, the landscape has shifted.
Two names still stand out: Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen. Valdez remains the most proven frontline option available, while Gallen, despite a down year in 2025, still carries top-tier upside. Both are drawing interest, but the list of logical landing spots is narrowing.
The Orioles have been hunting for a high-end starter all winter. They added Shane Baz, a move that brings some upside, but they haven’t landed the established ace many expected. The Cubs are in a similar boat - they brought in Edward Cabrera earlier this month, but there’s still room for another big arm in Chicago.
Atlanta could use another starter too, though they typically steer clear of the top-dollar names in free agency. The D-backs might be a fit on paper, but payroll limitations could keep them on the sidelines. And while the Angels freed up some cash with Anthony Rendon’s restructured deal, they’ve yet to make a major splash in the free-agent market.
Bottom Line
With Freddy Peralta now in Mets blue and Cody Bellinger back in pinstripes, two of the offseason’s biggest dominoes have fallen. But the stove’s still hot.
Teams are jockeying for position, and with a few frontline arms still in play, the next few weeks could get even more interesting. Buckle up - we’re far from done.