The New York Mets have remained at the center of MLB trade and free-agent speculation over the past few weeks. Much of the early chatter focused on their aggressive push for star outfielder Kyle Tucker, but after losing out to the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York quickly shifted gears and signed former Toronto Blue Jays standout Bo Bichette, who is expected to move to third base.
Following the Bichette deal, attention has turned to free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger. The Mets are considered one of the strongest suitors in his market and are viewed as a legitimate threat to land him. Still, Bellinger may not be the only major move New York is exploring.
Another significant rumor involves the Mets’ search for starting pitching. With their rotation needing a clear upgrade, Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta has emerged as a potential trade target. According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Mets are actively involved in conversations surrounding Peralta, confirming that New York is firmly in the mix.
Peralta would address a more urgent need for the Mets than another hitter. While offense is always valuable, New York’s biggest weakness remains the lack of a true frontline starter. After an outstanding 2025 season with Milwaukee, Peralta has drawn strong interest around the league, meaning the Mets would need to make an aggressive offer to acquire him.
During the 2025 campaign, Peralta started 33 games and finished with a 17–6 record, a 2.70 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and 176.2 innings pitched, firmly establishing himself as an ace-caliber pitcher. For a Mets team with World Series aspirations, adding a legitimate No. 1 starter is essential, making Peralta a top target.
If New York were somehow able to come away from the offseason with Bichette, Bellinger, and Peralta, it would represent a major success and instantly elevate the team’s championship outlook. While pulling off all three moves would be difficult, it remains within the realm of possibility.
Even with Peralta viewed as the higher priority, the Mets should still pursue Bellinger. The former MVP is coming off a strong 2025 season with the Yankees, where he hit 29 home runs, drove in 98 runs, and posted a .272/.334/.480 slash line over 152 games.
Given how aggressively the Mets chased Tucker, shifting focus to Bellinger makes sense as a fallback plan. He would still provide a major offensive boost and complement any pitching upgrades.
As the offseason continues, Peralta appears to be New York’s top target, with Bellinger close behind. If the Mets can manage to secure both, they would emerge as one of the biggest winners of the entire MLB offseason.
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