The New York Mets are generating interest in left-hander David Peterson and remain open to trading the 2025 All-Star in a need-for-need swap, according to league sources. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has characterized the current trade market as \"pretty active.\"
The Mets would require a high asking price for Peterson given his production over the past two seasons and his affordable 2026 salary. He is projected to earn $7.6 million in arbitration according to MLB Trade Rumors, entering his final season of team control.
New York seeks an outfielder to replace Brandon Nimmo, who was traded earlier this winter to Texas for Marcus Semien. The Mets also need a first baseman, designated hitter and bullpen help.
The Athletic previously reported the Mets were fielding calls on multiple starting pitchers. Much of the speculation has centered on right-hander Kodai Senga, though Peterson represents a different type of trade candidate than the risk-reward option Senga presents.
Peterson served as New York\'s most reliable starter in 2025, earning his first career All-Star selection at midseason. For months, he was the only Mets starter capable of pitching through six innings consistently.
The 30-year-old struggled late in the season, posting an 8.83 ERA over his final eight starts. That pushed his season ERA to 4.22, above the league average.
Since returning from hip surgery following the 2023 season, Peterson has pitched to a 3.67 ERA and 3.56 FIP over 51 starts covering nearly 300 innings. His ceiling may not match Senga\'s, who earned Cy Young votes in 2023, but Peterson offers more reliability.
Trading a starter of Peterson\'s caliber appears counterintuitive for a team seeking rotation upgrades. However, New York possesses significant starting depth, and moving Peterson or Senga could create space for a larger addition at the front of the rotation through free agency or trade.
