The Mets made a huge mistake letting Freddy Peralta walk away, and now they face a painful reality. According to Yahoo Sports, a long-term contract for Peralta by the Braves would hurt the Mets if he competes against them for years in the NL East. Last year the Mets did not maximize his performance, so they may now witness his dominance in a different uniform. Following his trade, Peralta ended the regular season with a 3.25 ERA over 10 starts for the Tampa Bay Rays. His final six regular season starts showed a 0.79 ERA for the Rays, demonstrating increased sharpness late in the year.
Atlanta would stabilize a shaky rotation lacking a clear number two starter by acquiring him. While the Braves have choices, no option guarantees the solution they require immediately. Although Chris Sale is a veteran, the team considers younger arms such as AJ Smith-Shawver and Spencer Schwellenbach as possible rotation options. Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder are also on the roster, while Spencer Strider remains a major uncertainty following his injuries. Although signing Peralta cannot fix all Braves rotation problems, it constitutes a positive first move.
The Mets Will Pay the Price
Acquiring Peralta strikes the Mets in their pride and their standings, causing the most pain. The Mets obtained him last offseason but observed his struggles before sending him to Tampa Bay. Now he has regained form, and if he dons a Braves jersey, each outing against New York will feel like betrayal. By signing Peralta to a long-term deal, the Braves could inflict pain on the Mets through years of divisional games. Fixing the rotation is vital for Atlanta, and compensating Peralta would make an excellent start. His ability to defeat any lineup is evident, and the Mets understand precisely what they forfeited.
A Hot Arm for the NL East
A Braves signing would secure a pitcher currently hot and a player skilled at beating the team in the neighboring city. The Mets likely regret failing to unlock Peralta’s potential last year.