Mets Land All-Star Freddy Peralta In Blockbuster Trade

The New York Mets have pulled off another headline-grabbing move this offseason, landing All-Star right-hander Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers in a blockbuster trade finalized on January 21, 2026. This deal, which has sent ripples through the Major League Baseball landscape, sees the Mets bolster their rotation with one of the most effective arms of the 2025 season, while the Brewers continue their trend of flipping established pitchers for high-upside prospects.

In exchange for Peralta and right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers, the Mets parted ways with two of their most promising young talents: Jett Williams, a versatile infielder and outfielder, and right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat. Both Williams and Sproat are widely regarded as top-tier prospects, ranked third and fifth respectively in the Mets' system according to Minor League Baseball, and fourth and fifth by Baseball America.

Freddy Peralta, who turned 29 last year, is coming off a career-best campaign with the Brewers. He posted a sparkling 17-6 record, a 2.70 ERA, and racked up 204 strikeouts over 33 starts in 2025. His performance earned him his second All-Star Game appearance and, for the first time, Cy Young Award consideration. Notably, Peralta threw a personal-best 176 innings, demonstrating greater durability than in previous seasons and establishing himself as a true workhorse atop the rotation.

Peralta's arsenal is as impressive as his statistics. He relies on a mid-90s fastball with cutting action, a changeup effective against both righties and lefties, and a pair of breaking balls—a slider and a curveball. His ability to miss bats is elite; he ranked in the 83rd percentile in whiff rate last season and in the 80th percentile for limiting hard contact. While his command can waver at times, leading to a lower strike percentage, Peralta's knack for avoiding barrels and suppressing exit velocity makes him a formidable presence on the mound.

"Peralta now joins a pitching rotation headlined by Nolan McLean, David Peterson, Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, and Sean Manaea," reported ESPN, highlighting the Mets' aggressive approach to fortifying their roster. This move follows recent high-profile acquisitions by the Mets, including two-time All-Star Bo Bichette and one-time All-Star Luis Robert Jr., signaling their intent to contend in 2026.

Peralta enters the final year of a five-year, $15.5 million contract extension he signed with the Brewers in February 2020. He is owed a modest $8 million for the 2026 season and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. Whether the Mets will seek to extend his stay beyond this season remains to be seen, but at the very least, they could recoup draft-pick compensation if he departs in free agency.

The Mets also receive Tobias Myers, a 27-year-old right-hander who logged nearly 190 innings of 132 ERA+ ball for the Brewers over the past two seasons. Myers isn't overpowering—his fastball sits around 93 mph—but he uses a steep arm angle and a four-pitch mix to keep hitters off balance. His repertoire includes a fastball with significant vertical break, a cutter, a slider with downward action, and a splitter/changeup that led his arsenal in whiff rate last year. Myers has experience as both a starter and reliever and still has a minor-league option remaining, making him a valuable depth piece for the Mets as they navigate the long grind of the regular season.

On the other side of the deal, the Brewers continue a familiar strategy: trading established arms for controllable, near-MLB-ready talent. This approach has yielded positive results in recent years, with the likes of Joey Ortiz and Caleb Durbin emerging after similar trades. Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold expressed optimism about the incoming prospects, stating, "Jett and Brandon are two of the top up-and-coming talents in baseball. We are adding both a dynamic athlete and exciting arm to the organization that we see impacting the major league team for years to come. Both these guys are going to compete for spots on our team for opening day."

Jett Williams, who turned 22 in November, was drafted 14th overall by the Mets in 2022 out of Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas. He signed for $3.9 million and quickly ascended through the Mets' minor league system. In 2025, he played 130 games between Triple-A Syracuse and Double-A Binghamton, batting .261 with 17 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a robust .828 OPS. Williams also swiped 34 bases and showcased his versatility by logging innings at shortstop, second base, and center field. Despite missing much of the 2024 season with a right wrist injury, he remains one of the fastest and most dynamic young players in the minors. Arnold praised Williams' versatility and heart, remarking, "He’s a gamer. He’s not that big, but he plays with a ton of heart and he’s got incredible tools. He’s one of the fastest players in the minor leagues. That versatility is something that’s going to fit very, very well for this team."

Brandon Sproat, 25, was drafted 56th overall by the Mets in 2023 out of the University of Florida and signed for $1,474,500. He made his MLB debut in 2025, posting a 4.79 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts over 20.1 innings in four starts. In Triple-A Syracuse, Sproat went 8-6 with a 4.24 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 121 innings. His five-pitch arsenal is headlined by a sinker averaging 95.7 mph that induces ground balls at a 50% rate. He also features a sweeper, changeup, curveball, and a high-velocity four-seamer. Arnold commented, "He’s going to compete for a spot in our rotation. This guy has incredible stuff. Very high-octane. Really good movement on his four-seamer and two-seamer, really good secondary weapons and a really good changeup."

As the dust settles on this trade, early analysis has been favorable to the Mets, with experts assigning them an A grade for acquiring a frontline starter without sacrificing the top of their farm system or big-league roster. The Brewers, meanwhile, received a B grade for adding two high-upside prospects, consistent with their recent strategy of maximizing future value.

With spring training just around the corner, all eyes will be on how quickly Williams and Sproat can make an impact in Milwaukee and whether Peralta can anchor a Mets rotation aiming for postseason glory. The deal underscores both organizations' willingness to take calculated risks in pursuit of their long-term goals. As the 2026 MLB season approaches, fans in New York and Milwaukee alike have plenty to be excited about.