Jason Burgos
A new report suggests that the New York Mets and pitcher Freddy Peralta will not agree to a contract extension during the season.
A top priority for the Mets during the offseason was, if possible, to acquire a legitimate ace. A major reason they had an ugly late-season collapse in 2025 was that they did not have a losing-streak stopper leading their rotation.
Well, they addressed that in January when they made a blockbuster trade for Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. The two-time All-Star had a landmark year in 2025 as he posted 17 wins and a 2.70 ERA — both career bests. Unsurprisingly, not long after the deal, speculation about an extension for the impending free agent began.
Locking the 29-year-old into a multi-year pact instead of letting him hit the open market would be a smart move. However, according to The Athletic’s Tim Britton, in-season extensions aren’t something the Mets ever do.
“The Mets’ hesitation to hand out extensions has endured for nearly two decades, across different player cores, front offices, and even ownerships,” Britton wrote. “The Mets rank 27th in baseball in extensions signed this decade, with three. They ranked 28th in extensions signed over the last decade under the Wilpon ownership, with six.
“Since 2010, the Mets’ nine extensions rank ahead of only the Detroit Tigers (eight) and the New York Yankees (five).”
Sources suggest NY Mets won’t give Freddy Peralta in-season extension
Yet, the club’s long history of being resistant to in-season extensions isn’t the only reason it is unlikely. Britton also added, “The Mets are unlikely to engage deeply in extension negotiations across the roster, according to people familiar with the club’s thinking.”
Considering the large sums of money the team already has invested in several players, it is understandable if they at least want to see how Peralta handles a half-season in New York. Furthermore, team president David Stearns has consistently shown he is averse to big extensions for players 30 or older. Peralta turns 30 in June.
However, if Peralta posts another All-Star season in 2026, the Mets run a big risk of losing his services in free agency this winter.
