New York Mets eye trade for pitcher Freddy Peralta as season woes mount

The New York Mets are struggling below .500 after a 16‑13 record in May and are weighing options to improve their roster before the trade deadline. Insider reports indicate that several clubs – including the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays – are targeting starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. The 30‑year‑old right‑hander has posted a 3.55 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP this season, with a 3.25 ERA over his last 11 outings. A trade would allow Peralta to avoid a qualifying offer and become a free agent without draft‑pick compensation, making him a cost‑effective acquisition at roughly half his $8 million salary.

At the same time, the Mets’ first‑base and outfield depth is under scrutiny after Mark Vientos’ defensive lapses and offensive production have fallen short. Vientos is batting .219 with seven home runs and a –0.7 WAR rating, and recent errors have directly contributed to runs in recent losses. The club’s management faces pressure to address both pitching and position‑player deficiencies as the postseason race narrows.