Mets Face Tough Decision as Peralta Opens to an Extension

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The New York Mets didn’t just acquire an ace when they traded for Freddy Peralta—they also bought themselves a looming decision.

According to reporting from Pat Ragazzo of Mets On SI, Peralta is open to signing a long-term extension with the Mets. On the surface, that sounds like a no-brainer. The Mets paid a steep prospect price to land him, surrendering Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat to the Milwaukee Brewers for a pitcher coming off the best season of his career. Teams don’t usually do that for a one-year rental without thinking long-term.

But thinking long-term and acting on it are two very different things.

Why an Extension Makes Sense for Both Sides

Peralta is entering the final year of a contract that will pay him just $8 million in 2026, a massive bargain relative to his production. He just posted a 2.70 ERA, struck out 204 batters in 176.2 innings, and finished with 5.5 bWAR. Those numbers don’t just scream “ace,” they scream “expensive.”

From Peralta’s perspective, the appeal of an extension is obvious. He signed a team-friendly deal earlier in his career and has since established himself as one of the more reliable starters in the league. A long-term deal would offer financial security while allowing him to anchor a rotation in a major market that expects to contend annually.

For the Mets, locking up Peralta would provide rare stability at the top of the rotation. He fits the profile they’ve often tried—and failed—to develop internally: durable, strikeout-heavy, and capable of matching up with elite lineups in October. Having that certainty beyond 2026 would be valuable, especially as the organization continues to balance veteran contracts with a younger core.

Why the Mets May Be Willing to Wait

Despite the mutual interest, there’s no immediate urgency from the Mets’ side. Peralta remains under team control for the upcoming season, and the front office has been clear that the priority is maximizing the current competitive window rather than locking in long-term commitments prematurely.

Timing also matters. Extensions of this magnitude are rarely finalized in the dead of winter. More often, talks intensify during spring training or even midseason, once both sides have clearer leverage. If Peralta performs at the same level he did in Milwaukee, his value may rise even further—something the Mets are undoubtedly aware of.

There’s also the broader roster picture. The Mets already have significant money tied up in their pitching staff, and committing long-term dollars to another starter could limit flexibility if injuries arise or if the team needs to pivot at the trade deadline. Waiting allows the front office to evaluate how the rotation holds up as a whole before making a defining financial decision.

None of this diminishes Peralta’s importance. The Mets didn’t acquire him just to plug a hole; they acquired him to lead. The interest in an extension confirms that both sides see a future together—but patience may serve both better than haste.

For now, the Mets can take Peralta at his word and let performance drive the next step. If he dominates in New York, the pressure to act will only grow. If not, waiting may prove to be the smarter play.

Either way, this isn’t about whether the Mets should extend Freddy Peralta. It’s about when—and how comfortable they are betting long-term on an arm they already paid dearly to acquire.

Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia