Cubs are Interested in Mets' Rental Starter

The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets already swung a trade with each other this season.

This was the deal that sent struggling left-handed starter David Peterson to Chicago for top prospect Cole Mathis.

Maybe they can come to another agreement before the August 3 MLB trade deadline?

As reported by MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Cubs like Mets rental starter Freddy Peralta.

Cubs skipper Craig Counsell managed Peralta during their time together with the Milwaukee Brewers, so there's familiarity there.

The Mets acquired Peralta and fellow pitcher Tobias Myers from Milwaukee back in January for top prospects' Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams.

However, Peralta has not pitched well with the Mets this season, posting a 4.66 ERA in 20 starts and 104.1 innings. Per Heyman, some have attributed Peralta's woes to the Mets' poor defense behind him.

Despite his performance this year, Peralta is coming off a season in 2025 where he went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA with the Brewers.

Peralta should be able to help a contender's starting rotation down the stretch of the season. And with limited sellers ahead of the trade deadline, the Mets could get back a solid return in a pitching-needy market.

Rival executives and scouts around the league recently told Athlon Sports that the Mets should be able to get back a top 10-20 prospect and controllable major league ready talent in exchange for Peralta.

The Cubs' pitching staff and rotation have been decimated by injuries this year. Peralta is certainly a fit on their roster if the two teams can swing another deal together.

Peralta will be a free agent after the season concludes and the Mets would be wise to deal him now after being unable to sign him to an extension earlier in the year.