The Mets recently traded for right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta from the Brewers, sparking conversations about whether they’d extend his contract. For now, the Mets are giving him time to settle in. As Mets president David Stearns shared, “I’m not going to speculate on that Day 1 here,” highlighting a desire to keep extension talks private until the right moment comes.
Peralta’s move from Milwaukee isn’t surprising; the Brewers have a history of trading strong players like Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, and Devin Williams when they reach free agency. In contrast, the Mets have more financial resources, which puts them in a better position to keep players long-term.
Stearns is quite familiar with Peralta. He signed him to an extension back in 2020 while both were with the Brewers. This recent deal involved sending notable prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat to Milwaukee in exchange for Peralta and Tobias Myers. Moving forward, many expect the Mets to want to secure Peralta’s services again, though spring training may reveal more about potential contract discussions.
Interestingly, in a recent interview, Stearns also discussed Carson Benge, a promising outfield prospect. Despite the Mets acquiring Luis Robert Jr., Benge still has a chance to make the team this spring. The outfield is shaping up with Juan Soto and Robert as key players, leaving Benge possibly in competition with Tyrone Taylor for a left-field position.
Benge’s minor league stats are a mixed bag. He had a strong showing at lower levels, hitting .308 in High-A and Double-A. However, he struggled at Triple-A with a .178 batting average. Still, the Mets are showing confidence in him by keeping him in the mix. If he doesn’t perform, other options like Brett Baty, Vidal Bruján, and Cristian Pache could fill in.
Meanwhile, Kodai Senga is expected to be part of the starting rotation despite some ups and downs in his career. He excelled in 2023 but faced challenges due to injuries in 2024. If he stays healthy, he will likely claim a rotation spot, joining Peralta and a few other strong candidates like Nolan McLean and David Peterson.
In the ever-evolving world of baseball, it will be crucial for the Mets to navigate their roster carefully. A six-man rotation might be useful to keep pitchers fresh, especially considering how injury-prone the sport can be. If issues arise, they have backup options ready to step up.
For more on MLB player movements and strategies, you can refer to ESPN.
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