The Mets may be headed for a sell-off at the MLB trade deadline, and Freddy Peralta is one of the names that keeps surfacing as a possible move. Even with the rough shape of his season, one projection suggests New York could still do better than expected.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter put a surprisingly strong return on Peralta, writing, "Despite a lackluster start to the year, Peralta will likely be the top arm on the market outside of Tarik Skubal, potentially netting a Top 100 prospect even as a two-month rental."
That kind of haul would be a strong outcome for the Mets, especially considering how uneven Peralta has been in 2026. Through 17 starts, the 30-year-old has a 4.53 ERA, a 5-6 record and 0.3 bWAR.
It’s a sharp drop from what he did in 2025 with the Milwaukee Brewers, when he went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 5.5 bWAR across 33 starts. This season has been a struggle, plain and simple.
Still, the market could work in New York’s favor. With the American League described as very weak, there may be fewer clubs willing to deal, which could leave starting pitching in short supply. In that scenario, Peralta could end up as the best arm available this summer.
That doesn’t mean the Mets should expect a monster return. Peralta is still only a rental, since he’s set to hit free agency after the season, and that usually keeps the price from climbing too high. But if he really does sit near the top of the trade market, New York has a legitimate shot to land a Top 100-level prospect anyway.
In Other News...
Mets Just Sent A Troubling Message About Kevin Parada
Kevin Paradas path through the Mets system has taken another uneasy turn, and it says plenty about where things stand for the former first-round pick. The catcher has battled inconsistency on both sides of the ball in 2026, opening with a rough stretch in Double-A before flashing more at the plate in Triple-A, only to see the organization move him back down again as it continues sorting out its long-term answer behind the plate.
The bigger concern is that the bat alone has not been enough to force the issue. Paradas offensive uptick in Triple-A did not erase the defensive questions that have followed him, and the Mets also have other catching options in the mix who bring MLB experience and a steadier glove. For a player once viewed as a key part of the future, the message is getting harder to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
Mets May Be On Verge Of A Surprising New Infield Look
Luis Robert Jr. is still working through rehab with an eye on getting back into Mets games before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, but his absence has already nudged the roster into a different sort of July experiment. A.J. Ewing has handled center field well enough to stay in the conversation, and the Mets are at least considering whether his athleticism could be used in another spot if they want to keep shuffling pieces while the deadline picture comes into focus.
The possibility gets more interesting because of Marcus Semiens injury, which has forced the Mets to patch second base with Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio. Ewing has some background there from the minors, and with Francisco Lindor locked in on the left side, New York could be looking at a temporary infield look that says as much about opportunity as it does about need while the front office weighs its next move. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Bullpen Rehab Bet Already Looks Like A Wasted Move
Adbert Alzolay was supposed to be the kind of low-risk bullpen rehab bet the Mets could stash away and maybe cash in on later, a two-year minor league deal for a pitcher working back from Tommy John surgery. Instead, his 2024 season has been spent entirely in the minors, and the results in Triple-A Syracuse have been rough enough to make the original upside feel distant. The right-hander has struggled to find any rhythm, with his outings repeatedly turning into damage-control appearances rather than steps toward a return.
The Mets have not cut bait yet, which says plenty about how much they still want the idea to work. They were hoping Alzolay could become an internal bullpen weapon down the line, maybe even a deadline option without having to give up talent in a trade. For now, though, Syracuse has offered little encouragement, and the longer the struggles continue, the harder it gets to see the path back to meaningful help in Queens. [Read more 🡒]