The New York Mets are approaching a make-or-break stretch in what has been a disastrous season, and if they can’t find a way to turn things around soon, two of their top pitchers could be headed out the door.
Trade speculation has ramped up around Freddy Peralta, the Mets’ headline offseason acquisition who was brought in to anchor the rotation for what was supposed to be a playoff contender. Instead, New York has fallen to the bottom of the league, fueling rumors that Peralta — and potentially another key arm — could be moved if the team remains stuck in the cellar.
Clay Holmes could join Peralta on the trade block
According to reports, the Mets are already preparing for the possibility of trading Peralta if they haven’t climbed back into the race by early June. One deadline reportedly being targeted internally is June 1, at which point the organization would decide whether to push forward or pivot toward selling ahead of the trade deadline.
At the time of the report, the Mets owned the worst record in baseball at 14–23 and were 6½ games out of a wild-card spot. Several contenders have already been linked to Peralta, including the Chicago Cubs, who are off to a strong start this season.
Peralta’s contract situation adds pressure to the decision. The 30-year-old is set to become a free agent after the season, meaning the Mets would likely want to recover some value after what they paid to acquire him over the winter.
But Peralta may not be the only notable pitcher on the move. If the Mets do shift into sell mode, right-hander Clay Holmes is also expected to be made available. Holmes has actually outperformed Peralta this season and has an opt-out clause after the year. Given his $12 million salary for 2027, he is widely expected to opt out, effectively making him a short-term rental similar to Peralta.
If New York fully commits to a reset, rival teams could see the Mets as a prime source of pitching help in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline.