Key Mets Starter Likely Makes His Last Start For Team

New York Mets starter Freddy Peralta was “Four-Inning Freddy” in his latest disappointing effort yesterday, although he did lower his ERA to 4.99 in the Mets’ 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

This wasn’t the way it was supposed go down when the Mets traded for Peralta in the offseason, and after the game he acknowledged that this was probably his last start in a Mets uniform as the Mets prepare to move him at the trade deadline. 

"I know it probably is," the 30-year-old Peralta said in a piece written by Jorge Castillo of ESPN. "But I have to focus and keep giving the best of myself. And if it happens, it happens. I'm thankful and grateful to be part of this organization. I know that, so far, I've let them down. I haven't done what I'm supposed to do. But I'm grateful to be here."

Peralta threw 93 pitches yesterday, which is a big part of the problem. He’s only made it into the sixth inning once, and 15 of his starts have ended after five innings. The Mets were expecting an ace when they traded for Peralta, but instead they’ve gotten a back-of-the-rotation starter. 

"We haven't done what we were expected to do, in general, especially when I speak about myself," Peralta said. "I know that I can be way better than this. I still believe in myself. I am born to be a winner, not a loser. And I think that I have a lot in me, a lot to show, and I know that it can change because I still have time to make a change, to make it better."

It won’t happen in New York, however, at least not with the Mets. Peralta started his stint in New York by requesting an extension, and now he’ll be going into free agency looking at the possibility of a one-year bridge contract, depending on how he does with his new team. 

"I understand the business part and I understand how it works," Peralta said. "But I cannot control that. I just have to wait and come back here tomorrow and the next days and just do my best."

The Mets, meanwhile, are going younger with their rotation. They’re getting consisent starts from rookie Nolan McLean, plus Christian Scott has been mostly strong and the latest rookie, Zach Thornton, is currently sporting a scoreless streak that’s grown to 18 innings. Peralta was supposed to lead this group, but instead he’s been one of the worst members of the staff.