The writing was on the wall, and now it’s official: Freddy Peralta is headed to Queens. The Milwaukee Brewers have traded their two-time All-Star right-hander to the New York Mets in a deal that could have ripple effects across the National League.
Alongside Peralta, the Mets also acquired righty Tobias Myers. In return, Milwaukee adds infield prospect Jett Williams-now ranked third in their farm system-and right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat.
Before landing in New York, Peralta had drawn interest from several contenders, including the Dodgers, Braves, Red Sox, and Yankees. But it was the Mets who ultimately pulled the trigger, bolstering a rotation that’s been in need of a true frontline presence.
Now, let’s talk about the team that wasn’t in the mix-at least not in any meaningful way: the San Diego Padres.
And that’s where this deal stings.
Because when you look at the numbers and the context, there’s no reason the Padres shouldn’t have been more aggressive here. Peralta is under contract for just $8 million in 2025, his final year before free agency.
That’s a bargain for a pitcher of his caliber-a legitimate ace who can give you seven strong innings and hand it off to a bullpen without breaking a sweat. For a team that still claims to be chasing October, that’s the kind of arm you make room for.
Yes, the Padres are navigating payroll constraints. But this wasn’t a $30 million-a-year commitment.
This was a high-upside, short-term investment that wouldn’t have wrecked the books. The issue?
San Diego doesn’t have the prospect capital right now to compete with offers like the one Milwaukee got from New York.
Remember, the Padres offloaded 13 prospects at last year’s trade deadline. That kind of sell-off leaves a mark.
Their farm system is thin, and it showed here. Even if they wanted to make a serious push for Peralta, they simply didn’t have the pieces to get it done.
There’s also the luxury tax factor. The Padres may be hovering above the threshold, but there are creative ways to manage that.
If the front office truly sees this window as open, then ownership has to be willing to absorb some short-term financial pressure for long-term gain. That’s how contenders operate.
Right now, San Diego’s rotation is led by Michael King and Nick Pivetta, with Joe Musgrove expected to return healthy. Beyond that?
It’s a lot of question marks. There are two open spots in the rotation and not a lot of clarity on who’s going to fill them.
A guy like Peralta would’ve brought stability, dominance, and postseason pedigree.
With him off the board, the focus now shifts to what’s next. There are still arms available.
Chris Bassitt, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly-these are names worth watching as we inch closer to pitchers and catchers reporting. But the clock is ticking, and the market is thinning.
This offseason can’t end with the Padres standing pat. Not after last season’s rollercoaster.
Not with the division as competitive as it is. It’s up to A.J.
Preller and the front office to find answers-because right now, the rotation has more holes than solutions.