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Jorge Castillo
The New York Mets’ winterlong pursuit of a frontline starting pitcher ended late Wednesday when they agreed to acquire All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta and right-hander Tobias Myers from the Milwaukee Brewers for prospects Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Peralta, as the haul the Brewers received indicates, was coveted by several clubs. He is a two-time All-Star coming off his best season after posting a 2.70 ERA in 176 ⅔ innings across 33 starts. Adding to his value is his $8 million salary for the 2026 season — a bargain for a pitcher of his caliber.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns had been clear about his desire to add a top-tier starter to his rotation. He also happened to be the Brewers’ general manager when they acquired Peralta in 2015 and oversaw his development into an ace.
Bo Bichette and a day after they landed Luis Robert Jr. via trade — is the latest in an incredibly busy offseason for the Mets, who have revamped their roster after failing to reach the postseason in 2025 with baseball’s second-most-expensive payroll.
It also might be New York’s most important.
The Mets rotation’s struggles last season were the fuel for their three-and-a-half-month slide from owners of the best record in baseball to postseason spectators. New York’s starters ranked 27th in the majors in innings pitched, a shortcoming that eventually exposed the bullpen and forced the Mets to call up three prospects to make their debuts late in the season to bolster the rotation.
Myers, 27, also has been an effective starter in the majors since being called up in 2024, compiling a 3.48 ERA in 31 starts over the last two seasons. He also has a 1.62 ERA in 18 relief appearances in his short career.
Sproat — along with right-handers Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong — was one of the three hyped prospects the Mets promoted late last season to help their floundering rotation. A third-round pick in 2022, the right-hander recorded a 4.79 ERA in four major league starts upon his promotion. The 25-year-old Sproat finished his season in Triple A with a 4.24 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 121 innings.
Williams, 22, is a 5-foot-7 middle infielder and center fielder who finished last season in Triple A three years after the Mets selected him with the 14th pick in the draft. He finished the year batting .261 with 17 home runs, 34 steals, and an .828 OPS in 130 games between Double A and Triple A.
