The New York Mets have officially pushed all their chips to the center of the table. In a stunning late-night move on Wednesday, the Mets acquired All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta and pitcher Tobias Myers from the Milwaukee Brewers, cementing their status as the aggressive frontrunners of the 2026 offseason. In exchange for the ace, New York is sending a package headlined by top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat back to Milwaukee.
The deal, first reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan, reunites Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns with one of his greatest international scouting successes from his tenure in Milwaukee. By landing Peralta, the Mets have added a legitimate frontline starter to pair with Kodai Senga, signaling a clear "championship or bust" mentality for the 2026 campaign.
The Deal: Stearns Raids His Former Cupboard
For weeks, MLB trade rumors 2026 had swirled around Peralta, who entered the final year of his team-friendly contract with the small-market Brewers. New York ultimately won the bidding war by parting with two of their most prized assets.
The full trade breakdown is as follows:
- Mets Receive: RHP Freddy Peralta, RHP Tobias Myers
- Brewers Receive: SS/OF Jett Williams, RHP Brandon Sproat
While Peralta is the headliner, the inclusion of Tobias Myers is a savvy addition for New York. Myers, 27, proved to be a reliable arm in 2024 and 2025, offering swingman depth that the Mets desperately needed after injury scares late last season.
Why New York Made the Move: Peralta's Dominant 2025
The acquisition of Peralta is a game-changer for the Mets rotation 2026. The 29-year-old is coming off a career-best season in 2025, where he finished fifth in National League Cy Young voting. Peralta posted a sparkling 17-6 record with a 2.70 ERA and racked up 204 strikeouts over 176.2 innings.
Beyond the raw numbers, Peralta brings durability and swing-and-miss stuff that New York lacked behind Senga. His ability to suppress home runs and limit hard contact makes him an ideal fit for Citi Field. financially, the move is a masterstroke; the Mets are on the hook for just $8 million for Peralta in 2026, a fraction of what a pitcher of his caliber would cost on the open market.
Mets Projected 2026 Rotation
With Peralta in the fold, New York's starting five now rivals any in baseball:
- Kodai Senga
- Freddy Peralta
- Sean Manaea
- David Peterson
- Nolan McLean / Tobias Myers
The Return: Brewers Land "Haul" in Williams and Sproat
For the Milwaukee Brewers, trading a fan favorite is never easy, but the return is substantial. The Freddy Peralta trade nets them two players who are ready to contribute immediately. Jett Williams, ranked as the No. 30 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, offers an exciting blend of speed and on-base skills. Despite missing time in 2024 with wrist surgery, Williams bounced back in 2025 with 17 home runs and 34 steals between Double-A and Triple-A.
Brandon Sproat, the flame-throwing right-hander, is perhaps the more immediate impact piece. Sproat made his MLB debut late in 2025, flashing a triple-digit fastball. For a Brewers organization that excels at developing pitching, Sproat is a high-upside arm that could slot into their rotation as early as Opening Day.
A "Superteam" in Queens?
This trade is the latest dominance assertion in what has been a frenetic month for the Mets. It comes just days after the team signed star shortstop Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million contract and acquired outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox.
Owner Steve Cohen has clearly given Stearns the green light to overhaul the roster after a disappointing 2025 finish. By adding an ace, a premier shortstop, and a Gold Glove center fielder in the span of two weeks, the Mets have transformed from playoff hopefuls to World Series favorites. The pressure is now firmly on manager Carlos Mendoza to make these pieces fit, but on paper, the Mets have won the offseason.
