Another major starting pitcher has been traded before Monday’s deadline.
The New York Mets are trading Freddy Peralta to the Tampa Bay Rays, according to multiple reports. The Rays gave up three prospects in the deal, though none of them were in the organization’s top ten.
OF Aiden Smith is the Rays' No. 15 prospect per @MLBPipeline, RHP Gary Gill Hill is No. 26 and 2B Emilien Pitre is No. 27. https://t.co/e6sY9Amrzr
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 2, 2026
The Rays are not known for making splashy trade deadline moves, but they are going for it here. The Mets traded for Peralta last offseason to lead their rotation, but he has been a major disappointment by posting a 4.99 ERA through 22 starts. He is a free agent at the end of the season, and it became inevitable that he would be dealt so the Mets could get at least something in return.
The Rays likely believe they can get Peralta back to his best. As recently as 2025, he posted a 2.70 ERA for the Milwaukee Brewers, and is a two-time All-Star. This is a pretty low-risk move for them that could richly reward them if Peralta gets back to his best.
It is easy to see why the Rays are eager to go for it this year. They are 65-45 on the season entering play Sunday and hold a 3.5 game lead in the AL East. They have a legitimate chance to represent the American League in the World Series.
