Freddy Peralta walked onto the trophy stage after Tampa Bay wrapped up the Cleveland Guardians and secured a trip to the Fall Classic, and the moment landed exactly the way a story like this should. When Kevin Cash called his name as ALCS MVP, the former All Star’s reaction was pure disbelief and pure joy.
It was the kind of finish that makes the whole thing feel bigger than a baseball series. Peralta had been acquired at the trade deadline from the Mets after a rough start to the year, and the Rays got him to buy into their adjustments. He did the rest.
The turnaround started with the mechanics. Tampa Bay had him pitching from the stretch, speeding up his delivery, and emphasizing leg drive to improve the direction of his hips.
The change was immediate. In 10 regular-season starts for the Rays, he went 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA, then picked up AL Pitcher of the Month honors in September before carrying that momentum into October.
When the ALCS arrived, Peralta was right in the middle of it. He earned two wins and gave up just one earned run across the series, taking on key innings in three of Tampa Bay’s four victories. That included the start in the Game 6 clincher.
Across the series, he was “Fastball Freddy” at full throttle, sitting 98+ mph and helping drive both the talent and the mood in the clubhouse. The source of the success was more than just arm speed, though.
As great of a pitcher Freddy is today, he is seemingly an even better person. But this award has an additional bit of magic.
There’s another layer to all of this, too. Peralta spent years as a Milwaukee Brewers mainstay, having led the National League in wins in 2025 for the Brew Crew, then worked through a turbulent 2026 to get here.
Now Tampa Bay is headed to the World Series to face the Brewers, with both clubs still looking for their first title. In a fitting twist, former Rays first baseman Jake Bauers was named MVP for the Brewers to set up the matchup.
Whatever comes next, Peralta’s ALCS run is already the turning point in Tampa Bay’s march: a deadline pickup who became a series MVP in a matter of months.
In Other News...
Mets Look Ready To Move On From Mark Vientos For Good
Mark Vientos has become one of the more obvious names to watch as the Mets look ahead, especially with several clubs around the league trying to patch holes at first base or designated hitter. Arizona, San Diego and Cleveland each make some sense as landing spots because each has a need that Vientos could help fill, and for a team looking to trim costs, his profile could be attractive enough to keep in the conversation even without a big market bidding war.
For the Mets, the bigger picture is less about one specific trade partner than the sense that a change may be coming sooner rather than later. None of the interest being floated is confirmed, and theres no official transaction on the board yet, but the fit with those three teams does underline how movable Vientos could be if New York decides to keep reshaping the roster around other priorities. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Reunion Could Shape The Next Step For Several Key Bats
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His possible return comes at an important moment for a group of bats that still need direction, especially after the Mets moved on from director of hitting Jeff Albert after the regular season. If Long ends up back in the organization, his presence could have real impact on the development paths of players like Brett Baty, A.J. Ewing and Jared Young, which is why this interview could matter well beyond a routine coaching search. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Took A Big Center Field Gamble And Fans Can Finally Judge It
When the Mets made the move to bring in Luis Robert Jr. to man center field, the idea was straightforward: stabilize a premium defensive spot and get more offense out of it. Instead, back issues sent Robert to the Injured List for a significant stretch, and A.J. Ewing quietly went from fill-in to everyday center fielder while the club waited for the original plan to sort itself out.
By the time Robert was ready to return, the Mets had already made their choice about where the long-term value was. Ewings role only grew in Roberts absence, and the organization ultimately let Robert go on waivers to the Orioles rather than hold onto a player tied to a $20 million option. It left New York with a clearer picture of the gamble it took in center field, even if the final evaluation will keep unfolding from here. [Read more 🡒]