Cubs' all-in trade for Mets' Freddy Peralta comes with warning signs after losing top prospect

The New York Mets sit at 15-25 after a weekend series in Arizona in which they struggled offensively. It is almost the middle of May, and things need to start changing soon if they want to have a shot at the postseason.

It has already reached the point where the Mets are reportedly thinking about a fire sale, with starter Freddy Peralta potentially being their most prized trade asset if he becomes available.

“Peralta is a prime trade chip. He’s an elite clubhouse presence and someone who is highly regarded by his teammates. He’s a high-end pitcher who has a career 3.60 ERA in nine major-league seasons. He’s also on an expiring contract and if the Mets want to get something in return in a potential lost season, then trading the right-hander should be on the table,” FanSided’s Robert Murray wrote.

Recently, there was a report that the Chicago Cubs have already been in contact with the Mets regarding Peralta.

“According to industry sources the Cubs are one of the teams the Mets have talked to about acquiring RHP Freddy Peralta. June 1st is a target time for the Mets to either get back into the race or move the soon to be Free agent. Peralta and Craig Counsell share a mutual bond,” Bruce Levine posted.

So what if the Cubs actually traded for Peralta? It would reportedly be a one-for-one deal, according to FanSided’s Zachary Rotman and his trade prediction.

“The deal would be a very simple one-for-one transaction. The Cubs would be going all-in on their 2026 season, acquiring Peralta, a rental, for their top prospect, Jaxon Wiggins. The Mets would be giving up on Peralta, a pitcher they just traded a haul to acquire in the 2025 offseason, in exchange for Wiggins, a pitcher who could seemingly contribute in the majors this season and be in their rotation long-term,” Rotman wrote.

For the Mets, this deal could make plenty of sense, but for the Cubs, it would be a risky move. Giving up their top pitching prospect for what could be just a rental is far from the safest decision.

Chicago has a future with Wiggins, but after this October, there may be no future with Peralta depending on where he wants to spend the next few years of his career. There are simply more things that could go wrong in this deal than potential outcomes that could go right.

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