2 Landing Spots for Freddy Peralta if Mets Give Up on 2026

Things are not looking up for the Mets.

Apr 30, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The New York Mets have found themselves in a precarious position. At 13-22, they have the worst record in Major League Baseball and may have already dug themselves a hole too big to climb out of.

They have pieces they can sell at the trade deadline if they do decide to ultimately subtract rather than add. That is looking like a strong possibility after such a dreadful start.

One of those pieces is Freddy Peralta, who was picked up in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers. Jim Bowden of The Athletic lists him as one of the top starting pitchers that could be available at the deadline. If he ends up being shipped out, here are two teams that make sense for him as landing spots.

Athletics

May 5, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Athletics pitcher Luis Severino (40) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Athletics are an interesting team this year. They have plenty of offense and lead the American League West. However, they are ultimately a little short on pitching, and their starting rotation has posted an ERA of 4.53 this season.

Adding an arm would give them a much better chance of potentially grabbing the AL West title by the end of the season, and after trading Mason Miller last season, they have the prospects that the Mets would want in a potential deal, so there could be a fit there that makes a lot of sense.

Chicago Cubs

May 3, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd (16) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs are at the top of the National League Central and have won eight consecutive games, but their pitching staff has taken a lot of hits. Left-hander Matthew Boyd is back on the injured list due to knee troubles, and Cade Horton had Tommy John surgery.

The Cubs need somebody to eat innings and carry the torch in the rotation, and Peralta could be that guy. A trade to the Cubs would also reunite him with his former manager Craig Counsell, who was in charge in Milwaukee from 2016-23.

It should be interesting to see what his market looks like and if the Mets even consider moving him, but if they do, the Cubs make sense as a possible fit and could benefit from having a proven ace at the top of their rotation.

This could give them the edge they need to run away with the division and return to the postseason for the second consecutive year. There is a lot to like about a potential fit here.

The Cubs will be an interesting team to watch at the deadline.