Tampa Bay Rays acquire Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets in a trade for three minor leaguers, per ESPN sources. Peralta joins a strong AL rotation as the Rays aim to maintain their AL East lead. The Mets receive Aidan Smith, Emilien Pitre, and Gary Gill Hill in return.

Peralta’s time in New York was disappointing, posting a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts. He struggled with consistency, failing to pitch past the sixth inning in 11 games and limiting strikeouts. His performance contrasts with his 2023 season for the Brewers, where he posted a 2.70 ERA. The Mets, now in last place, are offloading more players ahead of Monday’s trade deadline, including A.J. Minter and Clay Holmes.

Other Mets trade candidates include Luis Robert Jr. and Tyrone Taylor. Peralta’s acquisition reflects the Rays’ strategy to bolster their pitching depth. The deal concludes a two-year stint for Peralta in New York, where he underperformed expectations. His trade partners, including Smith (22) and Pitre (23), are young prospects with untapped potential.

The Rays’ rotation now features Drew Rasmussen, Shane McClanahan, and Nick Martinez alongside Peralta. This move underscores the competitive balance in the AL East as teams vie for playoff positioning.