The New York Mets are diving headfirst into this season with a sharpened edge. As they face off against the St.
Louis Cardinals in Friday’s Grapefruit League matchup, it’s more than just a sunny exhibition in Florida; it's a revealing look at what the front office believes to be a championship-caliber backbone. Two pitchers, two reputations, and two distinct pressures are at play.
Freddy Peralta: The Quiet Ace
Freddy Peralta might not have arrived with fanfare, but the Mets pulled off a coup by acquiring him from the Milwaukee Brewers. It cost them top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat, a hefty price that underscores Peralta’s value.
Peralta is entering a contract year, often a precursor to a standout season. In 2025, he dazzled with 204 strikeouts over 176.2 innings and a 2.70 ERA.
His strikeout rate of 28.2 percent is the stuff of aces. His fastball is electric, his slider deceptive, leaving hitters off-balance.
What’s often overlooked is Peralta’s ability to thrive with consistent play. When he’s on the mound every fifth day, he finds his rhythm. While he’ll only pitch a couple of innings on Friday, come September, he’s the pitcher you want facing the Phillies or Braves in a tight race.
A 2.70 ERA with over 200 strikeouts isn’t just a dream; it’s within reach if he stays healthy. The Mets didn’t just bolster their rotation; they added a formidable force.
Devin Williams: Redemption in Queens
Enter Devin Williams. Last season with the Yankees, he posted a 4.79 ERA, a glaring anomaly for a reliever whose ERA typically hovers around one, occasionally dipping into the twos.
From 2021 to 2023 with Milwaukee, Williams maintained a 1.97 ERA. His signature changeup, the “Airbender,” left hitters baffled. Averaging 14 strikeouts per nine innings, he was nearly untouchable.
So, what went wrong in 2025? Issues with command and fastball placement, compounded by the pressures of the Bronx, led to struggles.
Now in Queens, Williams arrives with a point to prove and the drive for redemption. With Edwin Diaz’s departure, there’s a void in the bullpen, and Williams isn’t just filling it-he’s aiming to dominate.
While spring debuts don’t set anything in stone, they do set the tone. If Williams steps onto the mound with confidence and his changeup regains its magic, the impact will be palpable.
The Mets are building toward more than just a respectable season. The aim isn’t merely 88 wins and a playoff appearance; it’s a long-awaited championship parade, a feat not achieved since 1986. This ambition influences every decision.
With Peralta anchoring the rotation and Williams closing out games, the formula is simple in theory but challenging in practice. Friday’s game might be a Grapefruit League matchup, but for a team eager to move beyond near-misses, it feels like the first real test of their championship aspirations.