Cubs Reportedly 'Like' Freddy Peralta Ahead of Trade Deadline

It’s no secret that the Chicago Cubs will be doing all they can to acquire a top starting pitcher at this year’s trade deadline. 

With Edward Cabrera, Ben Brown, Cade Horton, and Justin Steele all on the injured list, it’s imperative that the front office lands a top-of-the-line starting pitcher. The Cubs need all the pitching help they can get for their postseason push. 

What pitchers they plan to acquire by the August 3rd trade deadline remains a big mystery. Several pitchers who were trending to be available for trade a few weeks ago might no longer be. 

The Marlins currently hold the final National League Wild Card spot, so they probably wouldn’t deal Sandy Alcantara. The Red Sox have won 12 straight games, which means Sonny Gray likely won’t be moved. Tarik Skubal could remain with the Tigers, considering they have won 11 of their last 14 games. 

Seeing several bubble teams make a push over these last few weeks is obviously not great news for the Cubs. Some potential trade deadline starting pitcher targets might not be available anymore. 

However, there is one pitcher in particular that the Cubs’ front office appears to be all in on ahead of the August 3rd Trade Deadline. 

It’s New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. 

With the Mets sitting 17 games under .500 (41-58), it’s growing increasingly likely that they could move Peralta before the trade deadline. The two-time All-Star will become a free agent at the end of the 2026 campaign. 

The Cubs are certainly familiar with Peralta from his time with the Brewers. Peralta has always dominated Chicago, and he played under manager Craig Counsell for six seasons (2018-2023) in Milwaukee. 

So, it’s no surprise to hear from MLB insider Jon Heyman that the Cubs "like" Peralta. 

Peralta is having a down year on the mound in his first season with the Mets. The veteran has a 4.66 ERA, 1.438 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts across 104 ⅓ innings. These numbers come after he posted a career-best 2.70 ERA in 33 starts with the Brewers last season. 

However, Peralta is due for some positive regression moving forward. His expected ERA (3.79) is 87 points lower than his actual ERA (4.66), and both his expected batting average against (.233) and whiff rate (26.7%) rank in the upper half of the league. 

The Mets right-hander could benefit from a change of scenery. He would be pitching in front of a much better defense, and Peralta is more than capable of emerging as an ace in this Cubs’ rotation. 

Trading for Peralta would make a lot of sense. He wouldn’t cost as much as pitchers like Joe Ryan or Logan Webb, yet he’s still that premier starter that the Cubs desperately need.