Peralta acknowledges Mets letdown as trade deadline looms
New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta has publicly stated he feels he has let down the organisation and anticipates being traded before the August 3 deadline, as the club prepares to sell off assets.
Freddy Peralta has admitted he has disappointed the New York Mets and expects to be traded before the August 3 deadline, as the front office prepares to liquidate assets while the team sits 18 games under .500 and out of playoff contention. The right-hander, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in January for prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat, enters the final week of July with a 5-9 record and a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts.
Peralta’s recent performance has deteriorated significantly, with a 7.93 ERA in his last seven starts, including an outing on June 20 against the Philadelphia Phillies where he allowed 10 runs and 10 hits over 2 2/3 innings. He has failed to complete five innings in four of his past five outings, a sharp decline from a mid-season stretch where he held a 5-5 record and 3.90 ERA after beating Atlanta on June 14.
Despite the slump, Peralta pitched four innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, allowing three runs and six hits on 93 pitches in an 8-3 victory. The win featured three-run home runs from Tyrone Taylor and Marcus Semien, but the performance may mark Peralta’s final start for the Mets before the trade window closes.
The Mets’ offseason overhaul, which also included acquiring Luis Robert Jr. and Semien and signing Bo Bichette to a $126 million contract, was predicated on Peralta becoming a frontline starter. Instead, the two-time All-Star, who went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA for the Brewers last season, has struggled to find his rhythm. Peralta is eligible for free agency after the current season.
Mets interim manager Andy Green expressed continued trust in Peralta’s track record and ability to regain his form. “I trust him because he is going to catch his rhythm and go dominate five or six innings,” Green said, citing the pitcher’s experience and stuff. Meanwhile, Taylor, who also played with Peralta in Milwaukee, is enjoying a hot streak, batting .382 with a 1.403 OPS since returning from injury.
