Freddy Peralta Scratched as Mets Trade Talks Heat Up Ahead of Deadline

Freddy Peralta was supposed to take the mound for the New York Mets on Friday against the Miami Marlins. Instead, he was scratched — and the move is fueling speculation that the right-hander could be traded, perhaps within hours, ahead of Monday’s MLB trade deadline. With interest reportedly picking up from multiple contenders, Peralta’s stint in Queens looks like it’s about to end almost as quickly as it began.

The Mets acquired Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers this past offseason in a headline trade, sending Brandon Sproat and prospect Jett Williams to Milwaukee in exchange for the two-time All-Star and reliever Tobias Myers. It was billed as a rotation-altering move for New York. Instead, the 30-year-old has posted a 4.99 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP through 20 starts — both the worst marks of his career since he became a full-time starter in 2021 — a jarring drop-off from the 17-6 record and 2.70 ERA he delivered for Milwaukee just last season.

A Scratch That Speaks Volumes

Peralta’s removal from Friday’s start was first reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who noted that interest in the pending free agent is intensifying as the Wednesday deadline approaches. The timing lines up with a brutal stretch for Peralta, who has walked 44 batters in 104 1/3 innings — sixth-most in the National League — while surrendering 15 home runs. His most recent appearance against his former team was particularly rough: on July 21, Peralta allowed seven earned runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings as the Brewers rolled to an 8-3 win at American Family Field, his first game back in Milwaukee since the trade.

Despite the poor season-long numbers, multiple front offices still see the upside. The Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox have all been connected to Peralta in recent days, while scouts from the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks reportedly attended his last outing. According to The Athletic’s Will Sammon, evaluators still believe the “ingredients that made him successful” in Milwaukee remain intact, even if results haven’t followed in New York.

Could Peralta Head Back to Milwaukee?

The most intriguing storyline is the possibility of a reunion. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported this week that the Mets and Brewers have discussed a Peralta deal, with Milwaukee needing rotation depth behind ace Jacob Misiorowski amid a National League Central-leading push. Brewers manager Pat Murphy has already spoken openly about the idea, and the Mets are reportedly seeking a top-100 prospect plus additional pieces in exchange for the righty, according to sources cited by The Athletic.

Peralta spent eight seasons in Milwaukee before the offseason trade, compiling a 40-20 record and 3.19 ERA in 112 games, including 84 starts, at American Family Field. He’s owed roughly $3 million for the rest of the season, a modest price tag that only adds to his appeal for a club chasing a postseason run — whether that club ends up being the Brewers or one of the several other suitors circling before Monday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline. As betting markets react to the flurry of deadline moves, bettors tracking the shifting rotation landscape can find the latest updates through DraftKings promo code offers as MLB odds continue to shift with each deal.

Whatever happens, Peralta’s next start almost certainly won’t come in a Mets uniform. With Brooks Raley also expected to be moved before the deadline, New York appears to be leaning into seller mode, and Peralta’s name sits at the top of an active, fast-moving market that could resolve well before first pitch on Monday.