Rays acquire right-hander Freddy Peralta from Mets in exchange for three prospects
Tampa Bay traded for Freddy Peralta, sending outfield prospect Aidan Smith, infielder Émilien Pitre and pitcher Gary Gill Hill to New York, while assuming the remainder of Peralta’s $8 million salary.
The Tampa Bay Rays announced the acquisition of right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets. In return, the Mets will receive three minor-league players: outfielder Aidan Smith, infielder Émilien Pitre and right-hander Gary Gill Hill. The move requires the Rays to open a spot on their 40-man roster, which could be done by moving outfielder Jake Fraley to the 60-day injured list.
Peralta, who posted a 4.99 ERA over 113 2/3 innings this season, will have the remaining $8 million of his contract assumed by Tampa Bay, leaving about $2.5 million for the Mets. The Rays, who are 65-45 and leading the American League East, are looking to bolster a rotation that includes injury concerns for starters Shane McClanahan and Drew Rasmussen, as well as limited innings from Ian Seymour and Griffin Jax.
"The Rays have a strong reputation for developing pitchers and their defensive focus could help improve Peralta’s performance," a team spokesperson said.
Baseball America currently ranks Tampa Bay’s farm system second among major-league clubs. The three prospects heading to New York have varying profiles: Smith, a 22-year-old outfielder, has shown speed and defensive versatility but has struggled offensively at High-A; Pitre, a 23-year-old infielder, posted a .323/.451/.492 slash line in Double-A; and Hill, a 21-year-old right-hander, recorded a 4.43 ERA in 15 Double-A starts.
For the Mets, the trade follows a disappointing start to the 2026 season that has left the club near the bottom of the National League standings. The organization is expected to continue moving players before the upcoming trade deadline.