The Mets are actively pursuing a star pitcher, targeting Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta to bolster their rotation. This acquisition could reshape their 2026 season.
The offseason for the New York Mets is heating up now more than ever, as we are just a month away from the beginning of spring training. On Friday, the Mets surprisingly signed star infielder Bo Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal. Even after the signing, New York remains active in recruiting star talent to its roster ahead of 2026.
One of baseball’s worst-kept secrets this offseason is the Mets’ desire to add a star outfielder, and with Kyle Tucker signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the focus has naturally shifted onto Cody Bellinger. With Tucker snatched up by the Dodgers, Bellinger is far and away the best outfielder left in the free agency market, and reports have indicated the Mets are in pursuit of the former MVP despite splurging on Bichette on Friday.
Outfield is not the only position that New York is looking to strengthen this offseason, however. As a matter of fact, the club’s starting pitching played a significant role in the late-season collapse that the Mets endured in 2025 that ultimately saw them fall out of the postseason race completely in the final moments of the regular season.
Despite this, the Mets have made no meaningful changes to their rotation so far this winter, instead focusing on several changes to their lineup and bullpen. As it stands, the Mets would head into 2026 with the same starting rotation that let them down in 2025, but there’s still plenty of time to flip the script.
MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal expects New York to make a splash in its starting rotation before the offseason’s conclusion.
“I fully expect the Mets are going to get startin gpitching at some point,” he said on a Monday episode of Foul Territory. “It’s only January 19th. The offseason is not over by any stretch of the imagination.”
A player to fix the Mets' rotational needs is Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers, who has had his name thrown around trade conversations all winter long. Rosenthal stated on Monday that the Mets are in the mix for a Peralta trade.
Peralta had an amazing 2025 campaign, recording 17 wins on a 2.70 ERA. He struck out 204 batters in 176 ⅔ innings, resulting in an All-Star appearance and a top-five finish in Cy Young voting. With one more year on his deal, the Brewers are looking to get significant value in return for Peralta before losing him in free agency in a year.
The Mets have plenty of assets to make a deal for Peralta, including several top starting pitching prospects that are sure to entice the Brewers. There are other targets the Mets will be looking at to bolster their rotation, but Peralta is the best name that realistically could end up on the mound on Citi Field next season. It’ll be interesting to watch how New York navigates the rest of the offseason with its two major needs for outfield and starting pitching help.