Mets' Freddy Peralta has unique way of dealing with trade rumors, career uncertainty

New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta has been the subject of trade rumors since at least May because of the Mets' struggles throughout the spring and also because he reportedly won't be signing a contract extension before the ongoing season wraps up. 

Peralta is set to reach free agency this fall. He only joined the Mets when they acquired him from the Milwaukee Brewers during the offseason and may have no long-term future with the Amazins. However, Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports noted for a piece published on Thursday that Peralta has accepted somewhat of a leadership role with the Mets.

Freddy Peralta has been a positive for Mets clubhouse despite struggles

"He's inviting guys to breakfast," Mets outfielder Juan Soto recently said about Peralta. "He's always open for anything with his teammates. He's always planning something. He's always had time for everything. It's really cool to see, when you see a guy that's been in this league so long, and the way he's handled himself, even when he's had a rough start to the season, he's still being the same guy. It's really tough to find a guy like that."

Earlier in the week, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Peralta "will be seeking a free-agent contract similar to Max Fried’s eight-year, $218M deal, according to those familiar with Peralta’s expectations." That update sparked strong reactions from Mets fans who are frustrated with the fact that Peralta is responsible for a 4-5 record and a 4.04 ERA on the season. 

Meanwhile, the Mets will enter this weekend with a record of 30-38.

Supposed clubhouse problems impacted the Mets throughout their collapse last summer. While the team has lost more than it has won this spring, those on the current roster seem to be getting along. 

"Most of the time, I'm the one," Peralta said about who on the squad has been organizing team get-togethers. "But I think because I've been doing that, more people are becoming more free about it, and then sometimes they do the invitations. We've been together, we've been sharing some good moments, even in tough situations, you know? It's something that makes us feel like a family here."

How Freddy Peralta is handling rumors about his future

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns and team owner Steve Cohen reportedly "are going to wait this out as long as possible" before they agree to sell players ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline. It sounds like Peralta is doing all he can to ignore what is being said and written regarding his future. 

"I'm not too involved in social media," Peralta told Thosar. "I think that's a dangerous place. Even when you're doing really good, it makes you think that you are a superhero. So I don't take social media seriously. I never did. I've always been that way. I'm just focusing on what happens in here and on the field. That's it. I don't worry about the noise outside."

The harsh truth of the matter is that Mets fans who expected Peralta to serve as an ace for a contending team likely won't be all that heartbroken if he is traded at some point this summer. He seems to understand why such opinions exist heading into the second weekend of June. 

"I don't care what people say, good or bad," Peralta added. "I just try to be myself. At the end of the day, if we win, the people are going to be happy. If we're losing, they're not going to be happy."