Mets trade rumors sparked by Cubs’ reported interest in two-time All-Star

Could the New York Mets become one of the first MLB teams to wave the white flag in 2026?

If so, count the Chicago Cubs interested in Freddy Peralta. The two-time All-Star pitcher is in the final year of the contract extension he originally signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

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That will make him a popular trade target for teams short on starting pitching — a group that suddenly includes the Chicago Cubs.

Bruce Levine of 670 The Score in Chicago, citing “industry sources,” reported May 8 the Cubs are one of the teams the Mets have talked to about acquiring Peralta.

According to Levine, “June 1 is a target time for the Mets to either get back into the race or move (Peralta),” who played with Cubs manager Craig Counsell in Milwaukee.

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Acquiring Peralta makes sense for the Cubs, who are tied with the Atlanta Braves for the best record in baseball at 26-12. Chicago recently lost starting pitcher Matthew Boyd to a freak knee injury that required surgery on his left meniscus.

Boyd, an All-Star in 2025, is 62-78 with a 4.61 ERA over parts of 12 seasons.