Four days after making a blockbuster trade for Freddy Peralta, the New York Mets formally welcomed their latest acquisition into their organization.
“It was surprising in the beginning, but it was great,” Peralta said during Tuesday’s Introductory press conference. “I knew that something was going to happen, and it was hard since I spent my career in Milwaukee, but I was prepared for the moment. I am happy to be here in New York.”
Coming off his eighth season with the Milwaukee Brewers, Peralta was involved in many of the trade discussions this offseason. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was the one to answer the call when he acquired the All-Star righty for highly coveted prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat. But the Mets didn’t stop at Peralta, as they acquired reliever Tobias Myers in the same trade.
“Being traded for the second time to the same general manager, I feel proud to be here and part of the New York Mets team,” Peralta added.
Peralta will join a talented Mets pitching staff that features David Peterson, Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga. Some believe Peralta will make his first start on Opening Day against the Pittsburgh Pirates. But the team has yet to confirm that.
“I just got here, I don’t know what I’m facing,” he explained. “No matter if I’m the #1 or #5, it will feel good to pitch.”
Freddie Peralta is New York Bound
The last time Freddy Peralta took the mound in Citi Field was in July of last season when he led the Brewers to a 7–2 triumph over the Mets. Before then, he pitched in Queens the season before, going six innings and allowing one run in a 3–1 Brewers victory. In total, he has a 2.25 ERA and 14 strikeouts across both outings.
“It’s a different market, different city and different fans,” Peralta continued. “To be part of a big market team, I am excited.”
A bonus for the Mets is that Peralta is familiar with the high stakes of playoff baseball. In the postseason, he has a 4.32 ERA across nine appearances, going 1–3. The Mets haven’t been in the playoffs since their 2024 campaign ended in the NLCS. However, Peralta competed in the 2025 pennant against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who swept the Brewers in four games.
“The game during the playoffs is on a different level,” he added. “Playing in New York feels like that every game. I remember feeling that way on Opening Day last season against the [New York Yankees]. I think it will feel that way every five days in New York.”
Familiarity With the Team
Even though Freddy Peralta has yet to play a game since the end of last season, he has a good relationship with Luis Severino, who pitched for the Mets in 2024 and is also from the Dominican Republic. In his lone season in Queens, Servino went 11–7 with a 3.91 ERA in 31 starts.
“We work out every day together,” Peralta said. We had a conversation about New York. I was told I would feel great. I am excited about it. Guys on the team are already making me feel like a part of the family.”
Peralta noted that he spoke by phone with Tyrone Taylor, Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Francisco Alvarez. He added that they welcomed him to the team and he can’t “wait to have fun” with them.
“I was fond of the Mets,” Peralta continued. “I’ll be playing next to superstars like Soto. Playing in New York is great because there’s a bunch of Latinos and the fans challenge us every day to win.”
Looking Ahead
An objective for Freddy Peralta will be to remain on the diamond and avoid injuries that previously derailed his 2022 season, when he dealt with a right lateral strain and shoulder inflammation. But since then, he has remained at large, making 30 or more appearances in each of his last three seasons. Remaining on the field enables him to record impressive numbers, as he did last season, when he tallied 17 wins and 204 strikeouts.
“The most important thing for me is staying healthy,” Peralta said. “There are situations we can’t control, but being there and having the ability to be on the mound consistently. That’s where I have my mind at all times.”
For the Mets, they are looking into the possibility of extending Peralta to a longer-term contract. That is, if everything goes according to plan this year. But until then, Peralta will continue to prioritize being an effective leader.
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“I’ve always tried to help people, make other people feel good,” he concluded. “When you put that all together, everything goes better. I will come with that same energy to New York.”
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