Mets land Freddy Peralta in multiplayer trade with Brewers

The New York Mets’ long-awaiting quest for a premier starting pitcher concluded late Wednesday with the acquisition of All-Star Freddy Peralta and fellow right-hander Tobias Myers from the Milwaukee Brewers, in exchange for top prospects Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams.

Peralta, as the Brewers’ return shows, was in demand among several teams. A two-time All-Star, he just wrapped a stellar season, finishing at 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA across 176⅔ innings and 33 starts. He joins Dylan Cease as the only pitchers with 200 or more strikeouts in each of the last three seasons. Peralta also ranks 10th in the majors for qualifiers with a 3.40 ERA and 3rd in opponent batting average (.210) during that period.

His value is bolstered by an $8 million salary for the 2026 season — a steal for a pitcher of his caliber before entering free agency. The small-market Brewers, realizing they likely couldn’t retain Peralta, opted for a trade that would yield more than just a compensatory draft pick. Milwaukee made a similar choice last winter when they dealt Devin Williams to the New York Yankees while he was in the final year of team control.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was the Brewers’ general manager when they acquired Peralta in 2015, overseeing his growth into an ace.

“Bringing Freddy on board adds an established starter to bolster our rotation,” Stearns stated. “Throughout the offseason, we aimed to enhance our rotation with another top-tier pitcher, and we’re excited to have Freddy join the Mets.”

This trade marks another significant move in a hectic offseason for the Mets, who have reshaped their roster following a disappointing 2025 season despite having the second-highest payroll in baseball.

The transition began with four of the franchise’s longest-serving players — Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, and Jeff McNeil — moving elsewhere, prompting fan backlash. Subsequent replacements filled the roster gradually, but major activity surged in the last week, particularly after Kyle Tucker’s signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, leading the Mets to acquire two-time All-Star infielder Bo Bichette. On Tuesday, they completed a deal for center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox.

but, securing Peralta, 29, is the most crucial development.

Owner Steve Cohen shared his excitement on Twitter late Wednesday:

What an incredible week. Let’s go Mets !

— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) January 22, 2026

Stearns had made it clear he wanted to add a top starter to a rotation that faltered last season. because of injuries and poor performance, the rotation finished 27th in innings pitched, creating a strain on the bullpen that contributed to the Mets’ fall from having the best record in the majors in mid-June to missing the postseason by the final day of the regular season.

The rotation now features Peralta and Nolan McLean, a standout rookie following his late-2025 promotion, along with David Peterson, Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea, and Kodai Senga, while Myers and Jonah Tong sit next on the depth chart. To make room on the 40-man roster for Peralta and Myers, right-hander Cooper Criswell was designated for assignment on Wednesday.

Myers, 27, had a successful start as a rookie in 2024 but struggled in 2025, achieving a 3.48 ERA in his last 31 starts. He also posted a 1.62 ERA in 18 relief outings early in his career.

Sproat, alongside McLean and Tong, was among the three touted prospects the Mets promoted late last season to support their struggling rotation. A third-round draft pick in 2022, Sproat recorded a 4.79 ERA in four major league starts upon promotion. The 25-year-old was ranked the Mets’ No. 6 prospect in Kiley McDaniel’s August rankings for ESPN, concluding his season in Triple-A with a 4.24 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 121 innings.

Williams, 22, stands at 5-foot-7, playing both middle infield and center field, and ended last season in Triple-A, three years after being selected 14th overall by the Mets. As their No. 1 prospect according to McDaniel’s August rankings, Williams wrapped up the year batting .261 with 17 home runs, 34 steals, and an .828 OPS in 130 games spanning Double-A and Triple-A.