The Tampa Bay Rays strengthened their starting rotation Sunday by acquiring pitcher Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets in exchange for three minor league prospects. The trade comes as the Rays hold the best record in the American League, while the Mets continue to struggle near the bottom of the National League East.

Peralta, a two-time All-Star right-hander who can enter free agency this fall, had a disappointing tenure with the Mets after being obtained from the Milwaukee Brewers in a January deal. Over 22 starts with New York, he posted a 5-9 record and a 4.99 ERA, falling short of expectations following a strong 2025 season when he went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA and finished fifth in Cy Young Award voting.

Interim Mets manager Andy Green praised Peralta’s competitiveness but acknowledged the results did not meet hopes. According to Green, Peralta was notified of the trade during the early innings of Sunday’s 2-0 loss to the Miami Marlins, which left New York at 47-66—its worst mark through 113 games since 2003.

In return for Peralta, the Mets received outfielder Aidan Smith, infielder Émilien Pitre, and right-hander Gary Gill Hill. Pitre was Tampa Bay’s second-round pick in the 2024 draft, while Hill was selected in the sixth round in 2022. Smith, originally chosen by the Seattle Mariners in the 2023 draft, was sent to the Rays last July as part of the Randy Arozarena deal.

The Rays add Peralta to a rotation that includes All-Stars Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez, bolstering their pitching depth ahead of Monday’s trade deadline at 6 p.m. EDT. Left-hander Shane McClanahan, who was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023, is currently sidelined with mid-back tightness.

Peralta’s departure marks a notable chapter for the Mets, who had acquired the pitcher last offseason by trading top prospects Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams to Milwaukee. The Mets’ front office had expected Peralta to serve as a frontline starter, but inconsistent performance led to the decision to move him before the deadline.

This transaction follows other significant moves ahead of the deadline, including the Los Angeles Dodgers’ acquisition of pitcher Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, underscoring the preparation of leading teams for the postseason push.