Although it’s still early in the season, two things have become obvious for the Chicago Cubs — they look like one of baseball’s top teams, and their injury-hit rotation could force the front office to make an aggressive move for pitching help sooner rather than later.
With starters Matthew Boyd, Justin Steele, and Cade Horton all dealing with issues, Chicago has reportedly started exploring the trade market.
According to Marquee Sports Network reporter Bruce Levine, one pitcher who drew early interest from the Cubs was Freddy Peralta of the New York Mets.
The Mets have been one of the most disappointing teams in baseball so far in 2026, and if their struggles continue, Peralta could emerge as one of the biggest names available before the trade deadline.
Levine initially reported that the Cubs and Mets had discussed Peralta, noting that June 1 could be a critical checkpoint for New York to decide whether to remain buyers or begin selling off talent.
He also pointed out the strong connection between Peralta and Cubs manager Craig Counsell from their years together with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Cubs fans still remember Peralta from his Brewers days, especially during the NLDS matchup at Wrigley Field when Chicago fans loudly showered him with chants during Game 4. Peralta struggled in that outing, allowing three runs across four innings.
Milwaukee eventually traded Peralta before the final year of his team-friendly contract, but few expected the Mets to already be considering moving him less than two months after acquiring him in a major offseason deal.
Even so, the Mets have not completely given up on the season despite sitting deep behind in the National League East standings. If they fail to turn things around soon, speculation surrounding Peralta’s future is expected to grow quickly.
Because Peralta is set to become a free agent after the season, he would likely cost less in a trade than elite long-term options such as Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins or Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins.
That affordability, combined with his front-line ability, makes him an appealing target for Chicago.
However, Levine later walked back the original report, clarifying that while the Cubs have spoken with many teams about pitching, they have not specifically discussed Peralta with the Mets. Even with the correction, Peralta still appears to be a logical fit for Chicago should New York eventually decide to sell.
