Mets trade Peterson to Cubs for prospect Mathis
New York acquires corner infielder Cole Mathis from Chicago in exchange for left-handed pitcher David Peterson, a move that follows a six-game losing streak for the Mets.
The New York Mets have traded left-handed pitcher David Peterson to the Chicago Cubs, acquiring corner infield prospect Cole Mathis in return. The transaction concludes Peterson’s tenure with New York, where he was the longest-tenured player on the roster, and places him with a Cubs organisation described as seeking pitching depth.
Peterson, who is set to turn 31 later this year, recorded a 6.09 earned run average across 60 innings this season. His performance was split between the bullpen and the rotation, and he enters his final season before hitting free agency. The trade occurs immediately following a sixth consecutive loss for the Mets, a streak that included three straight defeats to the Cubs.
In exchange for Peterson, the Mets received Mathis, a second-round selection in the 2024 MLB Draft out of the College of Charleston. Mathis has posted a batting line of .260/.371/.490 over 116 plate appearances across minor league levels, including stints at A-ball and High-A.
The prospect has shown significant improvement after a lingering elbow injury impacted his college career and early professional debut. Mathis delivered strong performances in the Australian Baseball League and early in the A-ball season before his recent promotion, displaying promising swing decisions and exit velocities.
While the trade allows the Mets to extract value for a pending free agent during a challenging season, analysts suggest the move could signal the start of a broader sell-off. The Cubs, facing a perceived need for arms, acquired a player of Mathis’s calibre, resulting in what some describe as a price premium for New York.
