The New York Mets have acquired ace pitcher Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers in a major trade Wednesday (January 22), sending two of their top prospects to Milwaukee in exchange for the All-Star right-hander and reliever Tobias Myers.

The Mets dealt infielder Jett Williams, their third-ranked prospect, and right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat, ranked sixth, to secure Peralta's services for the 2026 season. According to MLB.com, this marks the third consecutive offseason the Brewers have traded a premium pitcher heading into a contract year, following deals for Corbin Burnes and Devin Williams.

Peralta, 29, is coming off an exceptional 2025 campaign in which he went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA, leading the National League in victories while earning his second All-Star selection. Over the past three seasons, Peralta has been one of baseball's most durable and effective starters, reaching 30-plus starts and 200-plus strikeouts each year—thresholds only he and Dylan Cease have achieved during that span.

The Dominican pitcher will earn $8 million in 2026, the final year of his club-friendly contract, before becoming a free agent next winter. USA Today reports that Peralta's addition gives the Mets a true ace atop their rotation after the team's pitching staff collapsed in the second half of 2025.

Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold acknowledged the emotional nature of trading Peralta, whom Milwaukee acquired as a teenager from Seattle in 2015. 'We loved having Freddy Peralta here, and everything that he meant to this franchise,' Arnold said Wednesday evening. 'The reality is that we have one year left here with Freddy Peralta. That's always going to be a challenge for us.'

The trade reunites Peralta with Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who led Milwaukee's front office when the pitcher first arrived. This represents another significant move for Stearns, who Fox News reports has had a busy week, introducing Bo Bichette on Wednesday and acquiring outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.

Williams, 22, was a first-round draft pick in 2022 who has yet to reach the major leagues. The versatile infielder batted .261 with 17 home runs and 34 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A last season, showcasing his speed and ability to play shortstop, second base, and center field. Arnold praised Williams as 'one of the fastest players in the Minor Leagues' whose versatility and style fit well with manager Pat Murphy's approach.

Sproat, 25, made four major league starts for the Mets in 2025, posting a 4.79 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings. The 2023 second-round pick had a 4.24 ERA with 113 strikeouts across 121 Triple-A innings. Arnold noted that Sproat will compete for a spot in Milwaukee's rotation this spring, calling him a 'Major League ready' pitcher with 'incredible stuff.'

Myers, 27, adds depth to the Mets' pitching options after compiling a 3.48 ERA across 31 starts since his 2024 call-up. The right-hander has also logged relief appearances with a 1.62 ERA in 18 outings.

The Mets finished 83-79 in 2025, missing the postseason despite carrying the second-highest payroll in baseball. The team's pitching staff led the league with a 2.32 ERA early in the season before collapsing in the second half, going 38-54 over the final 92 games.

Milwaukee's rotation will now be led by veteran Brandon Woodruff, who is reportedly progressing well through his recovery from a lat strain that ended his 2025 season in September. The Brewers will also rely on young arms including Quinn Priester, Jacob Misiorowski, and Chad Patrick, along with Sproat, who Arnold said will have an opportunity to earn an Opening Day roster spot.

The Brewers have reached the postseason in seven of the past eight seasons despite trading away star pitchers in recent years. Milwaukee acquired infielder Joey Ortiz and left-hander DL Hall in the Burnes trade, while the Williams deal netted rookie Caleb Durbin, who finished third in 2025 National League Rookie of the Year voting.

Peralta is expected to headline the Mets' rotation alongside top prospect Nolan McLean, David Peterson, Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga, and Sean Manaea in 2026.

Jaime Endemaño