The Mets Landed Bo Bichette - Now the Phillies Have a Chance to Strike Back with Freddy Peralta
Let’s be clear: the Phillies didn’t just “miss” on Bo Bichette. This wasn’t a swing and a miss in free agency.
This was the Mets walking into the room, grabbing the guy Philly had their eyes on, and walking out like they owned the place. And yeah, Dave Dombrowski calling it a “gut punch” says a lot.
That’s about as close as you’ll get to a GM admitting they just got outmaneuvered by their biggest rival.
From the Mets’ perspective, this is the kind of move Steve Cohen has been promising since he took over. Big-market, bold, and unapologetically aggressive. Three years, $126 million for Bichette is a win-now cannon shot - the kind of deal that says, “We’re not waiting around anymore.”
So where does that leave the Phillies? If they’re serious about responding - and not just licking their wounds - there’s one move that sends the kind of message that resonates across the NL East: trade for Freddy Peralta.
A Counterpunch That Hurts
This isn’t about filling a desperate need. The Phillies’ rotation is already in good shape.
Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola lead the charge, Cristopher Sánchez continues to ascend, Jesús Luzardo brings upside, and Taijuan Walker adds depth. That’s a playoff-caliber group with high-end talent waiting in the wings.
But Peralta? He’s not just another arm. He’s the kind of October weapon every contender wants - and the kind of move that would twist the knife after the Mets just swiped Bichette.
What makes Peralta so valuable right now is the timing. He’s under contract for one more year at a wildly team-friendly $8 million in 2026.
That’s the kind of deal that gets front offices circling. It’s why his name keeps popping up in trade rumors - and why the Mets would be a logical next suitor after their Bichette splash.
So imagine this: just as Mets fans start dreaming of pairing Bichette with a front-line arm, the Phillies swoop in and grab that exact pitcher. That’s not just a counterpunch. That’s a statement.
Philly’s Leverage: Depth, Not Desperation
The Phillies don’t need Freddy Peralta. And that’s exactly why they can go get him.
They’re not shopping out of panic. They’re shopping from a position of strength.
That gives them flexibility to build a compelling offer without gutting their rotation or farm system. And that kind of leverage is rare in trade talks.
If they pull it off, it flips the narrative. Suddenly, the Mets’ big Bichette move isn’t the only headline in the division. It becomes: “Mets got Bichette… but Philly got Peralta.”
In a division as competitive - and yes, as petty - as the NL East, that matters. These teams aren’t just trying to win games.
They’re trying to outmaneuver each other at every turn. And when one team lands a star shortstop, the only real response is to land a postseason ace.
The Next Move Belongs to Philly
The Mets took Round 1. No question. They landed the bat the Phillies wanted and made it look easy.
But baseball’s a long game. And in this kind of rivalry, it’s never just about one move - it’s about momentum. If the Phillies want to swing it back in their direction, Freddy Peralta is the kind of move that does it.
Not just because he makes their rotation better. But because it would be the exact move the Mets were circling next.
And in this fight, beating your rival to the punch is half the battle.