The New York Mets are off to a rough start at 14-23, placing them among the worst teams in the league. In Thursday’s matchup, they fell 6-2 to the Colorado Rockies in another disappointing all-around performance.
The struggles have been fueled by a league-worst offense, underperformance from high-priced additions, and ongoing injury issues. They have been without key contributors, including shortstop Francisco Lindor, who is dealing with a left calf strain, and shortstop Ronny Mauricio, who is sidelined with a fractured left thumb.
One bright spot has been right-hander Freddy Peralta, who has been effective this season, posting a 3.12 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and 43 strikeouts over 43.1 innings across eight starts.
Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
He has been at his best this season, though his strong outings have not translated into wins. After being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers last season and landing with the Mets, his arrival has come with some challenges.
Peralta has already surfaced in trade rumors just a month into his tenure, an unfortunate development.
According to Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network, the Chicago Cubs have interest in acquiring Peralta, with June 1 viewed as a key date for the Mets to either push back into contention or consider moving him as he approaches free agency.
According to industry sources the Cubs are one of the teams the Mets have talked to about acquiring RHP Freddy Peralta.June 1st is a target time for the Mets to either get back into the race or move the soon to be Free agent .Peralta and Craig Counsell share a mutual bond.
— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) May 8, 2026
With the Mets struggling, they have a greater incentive to trade Peralta rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency. The 29-year-old originally signed with the Seattle Mariners as an international free agent in 2013 before being traded to the Brewers in 2015.
Now with the Mets, the two-time All-Star and former fifth-place Cy Young finisher was outstanding for Milwaukee last season, posting a 2.70 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts over 176.2 innings in 33 starts. He is in the final year of the five-year, $15.5 million contract extension he signed with the Brewers in 2020.
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