Trade market getting larger for Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta

The list of teams interested in New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta is increasing.

According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks had scouts at Citi Field for Peralta's most recent start on Sunday. Those two teams join the Rays, Brewers and Phillies as teams known to be interested in his services.

Peralta is currently slated to start for the Mets on Friday in what would be his final showcase before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. That could be subject to change if the Mets receive a compelling offer before game time.

New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta emerging as hot trade candidate despite rough season

Teams interested in Peralta may be banking that a change of scenery can help him rediscover his form. He is in the midst of his worst season since 2019, posting a 4.99 ERA and a 1.478 WHiP over his 113.2 innings entering Friday, striking out 113 batters with 48 walks.

That performance is a far cry from Peralta's norm. He had established himself as a dependable top-of-the-rotation arm between 2021 and 2025. Peralta posted a 3.30 ERA and a 1.093 WHiP over 738.1 innings during those five years, striking out 895 batters with 271 walks. That would be the type of performance any interested teams would be hoping for over the final few weeks of the 2026 season.

Peralta makes sense for the Padres and Diamondbacks despite his down year. The Padres have been searching for help in the rotation for much of the 2026 season. Injuries have decimated the Diamondbacks' rotation, leaving them dependent on rookies Kohl Drake and Mitch Bratt. At this point, gambling that Peralta can return to form may be better than any other options that the Padres or Diamondbacks currently have.