The Tampa Bay Rays strengthened their starting rotation just before the MLB Trade Deadline by acquiring right-hander Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets on Sunday.
Before completing the move, Tampa Bay had been linked to ace Tarik Skubal, the most sought-after starting pitcher available ahead of Monday’s deadline. However, after Skubal was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rays turned their attention to Peralta, who was widely viewed as one of the top remaining rental starters on the market.
To complete the deal, Tampa Bay parted with three prospects from its highly regarded farm system. The Mets received outfielder Aidan Smith, ranked as the Rays’ No. 15 prospect by MLB Pipeline, along with right-handed pitcher Gary Gill Hill (No. 26) and infielder Émilien Pitre (No. 27).
Both teams officially confirmed the trade during the Rays’ 9-1 defeat to the Chicago White Sox at Tropicana Field.
“We’re excited to welcome Freddy Peralta to the Tampa Bay Rays,” president of baseball operations Erik Neander said in a statement. “Freddy is a proven Major League starter with high-stakes experience and a strong track record. Adding a pitcher and competitor of his caliber strengthens our team as we push forward.”
Rays get: RHP Freddy Peralta
Mets get: OF Aidan Smith, RHP Gary Gill Hill, INF Émilien Pitre
Freddy Peralta, 30, is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to become a free agent after the season. With a salary of $8 million in 2026, he represents a manageable financial investment for the Rays, who entered the move with a 65-46 record. Tampa Bay also may not be finished making additions, as the club has been aggressive in its efforts to strengthen a roster that owns the best record in the American League.
While the Rays see Freddy Peralta as a significant addition, the veteran right-hander arrives with some question marks.
The 30-year-old was considered a major acquisition for the Mets when they landed him from the Brewers in January in exchange for top prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat. Given his impressive résumé in Milwaukee, many believed New York had added a true frontline starter.
Peralta certainly had the credentials. Across eight seasons with the Brewers, he earned two All-Star selections and posted a 3.59 ERA in 211 appearances. He was especially dominant in 2025, finishing 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA, 5.5 Wins Above Replacement, and 176 2/3 innings over 33 starts.
Rays assistant hitting coach Ozzie Timmons, who worked with Peralta during their time together in Milwaukee, praised both his talent and personality.
“He’s a great teammate. He’s a competitor. He comes every day to work,” Timmons said. “He has really good stuff. I mean, really good stuff. He has a lot of energy every day. He’ll remind you of Willy Adames a little bit with his energy.”
Despite his strong track record, Peralta struggled to find consistency with the Mets. He opened the season in encouraging fashion, recording a 3.10 ERA through his first nine starts, but his performance unraveled over the following months. In his final 13 outings for New York, he went 2-6 with a 6.44 ERA.
Nicknamed “Fastball Freddy” early in his career, Peralta built his success around a dominant four-seam fastball that once made up more than 75 percent of his pitches. While the fastball remains an effective weapon, he now relies on it about half the time while mixing in five secondary pitches. However, diminished extension in his delivery has given hitters more time to react, contributing to an increase in hits and walks while his strikeout rate has declined.
But Peralta believes he still possesses the same ace-type stuff, and clearly the Rays were confident enough to give up three well-regarded prospects to acquire him.
“I know he’s going to love this place,” starter Griffin Jax said. “They call him Fastball Freddy. Anytime anybody with a good heater steps on this mound, it’s generally pretty favorable.”
Smith, a strong defensive center fielder currently with High-A Bowling Green, was part of Tampa Bay’s return for Randy Arozarena two years ago. Pitre is a solid defensive second baseman who’s slashing .308/.438/.447 between High-A and Double-A Montgomery this season. And Gill Hill has consistently taken the ball and put up solid numbers as a starting pitching prospect, though he was one of many notable Tampa Bay prospects facing Rule 5 Draft eligibility this offseason.
It was a price worth paying for the Rays, who are adding another proven arm to one of the Majors’ best rotations this season.
The starting staff is led by 2026 All-Stars Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez, two-time All-Star Shane McClanahan (who is currently on the injured list due to a minor back issue) and Jax, and they’ve received solid contributions in the fifth spot from starter/bulk-innings reliever Ian Seymour.
“I’m very excited, certainly given that Mac is down, to be able to slot [Peralta] in,” manager Kevin Cash said.
McClanahan’s back injury created an immediate opening in Tampa Bay’s rotation, which will come around Tuesday at Coors Field. But it also served as a reminder that the Rays must protect their starters, especially those who are facing workload restrictions, as they enter the final weeks of a division race — and, ideally, a run through October.
