The New York Yankees have just suffered a significant blow at the hands of the New York Mets. On the very same day they secured the top signing of the MLB offseason with Cody Bellinger, the possibility of reinforcing a clear area of need suddenly vanished.
In the Bronx, preparations continue as the organization looks to build the strongest possible roster to compete in the 2026 MLB season, following a year in which championship expectations were sky-high but ultimately ended in disappointment.
If there is one issue that concerns the franchise-especially in the early months of the season-it is the starting pitching, due to the significant losses the team has endured. The addition of a frontline starter was expected to help offset the absence of key arms like Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole, both unavailable at the start of the year.
Peralta slipped away after Bellinger’s signing
Ultimately, the Yankees succeeded in convincing Cody Bellinger to stay in New York, but Freddy Peralta slipped through their fingers-despite the belief that the team was in an ideal position to land him. That was highlighted by Anthony McCarron of SNY, who noted that prospects such as Spencer Jones or Jasson Domínguez could have been used as trade assets.
“The Yankees have multiple starters on the roster, but they have a rotation need. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are both coming back late as they complete recovery from surgery,” McCarron wrote before the Mets landed Peralta. “They added Weathers to a group that includes last year’s ace, Max Fried, wunderkind Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Luis Gil.”
The Mets steal Freddy Peralta
The New York Mets delivered a stunning late-night move on Wednesday by acquiring ace Freddy Peralta and right-hander Tobias Myers from the Milwaukee Brewers, in a trade that sent two high-profile prospects to Wisconsin.
In return, Milwaukee received pitcher Brandon Sproat and minor league infielder/outfielder Jett Williams, two of the most highly regarded young assets in the Mets’ farm system.
Peralta’s arrival gives New York an elite starting pitcher-a pressing need following the collapse of the rotation in the second half of a disappointing 2025 campaign. The deal was finalized just hours after the official introduction of free agent Bo Bichette at Citi Field, and one day after the Mets further strengthened their lineup by acquiring center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox.
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